Tools for a first time turner...

[Askland09]

Hey All!

So I have decided to jump down the turning rabbit hole and need some recommendations for some tools for the first time turner.  Been looking at getting a set of Simple Tool turning tools or should I just bite the bullet and buy a pretty nice set of turning tools right off the bat.  I do have a grinder already so if HSS tools are "the only way to go" I can also learn how to sharpen.  Any suggestions/tips/etc will be much appreciated.

Cheers! 

Luke

[BillyJack]

I think I would turn a bit with the HSS blades first then move forward, I'm in the same boat , just learning Lathe work.

[Chestnut]

I just got a set of rockler carbide tools. I don't plan on turning much so it wasn't worth it to get into the sharpening and all the traditional tool stuff. I have a grinder as well but all the angles and complicated sharpening stuff has turned me off of traditional tools.

I think it depends on if you want to learn traditional tools or not. That may depend on how often your goign to turn and what you want to turn.

I googled simple tool turning tools and got here https://www.simplewoodturningtools.com/ Were these the tools your talking about? The price seems dang good to be honest. The rockler mini set I bought seems like a lot less for more $$$.

[Askland09]

On 2/23/2022 at 9:30 AM, Chestnut said:

Were these the tools your talking about?

Absolutely!  I was looking at the mid sized tools just because they would be comfortable for both my father and myself.  The lathe itself is a 14" diameter turning capacity with 46" of length with a 2hp motor so it "can" handle larger pieces but actually doing large pieces is way down the line.  

[Chestnut]

I don't have a lot of experience turning, With a lathe that size the full size may be a consideration. I know even with my little lathe there have been times with mini tools it gets difficult, where a longer handle would be beneficial. I don't know the cons to a larger handle other than it getting in the way which i feel like isn't that much of a con.

@Mark J Throwing up the bat signal here...... What are the benefits to shorter handeled tools other than nimbleness?

[Askland09]

On 2/23/2022 at 10:15 AM, Chestnut said:

I don't know the cons to a larger handle other than it getting in the way which i feel like isn't that much of a con.

Watching some demonstrations on YouTube and general talks about it on other forums I'm seeing that its really up to what the turner is comfortable with when it comes to general work.  And a lot of it has to deal with what kind of leverage you need for the piece you're turning.  Big blank, more leverage, longer handle vs.  small blank, less leverage, smaller handle/tool, etc.  This is my very broad, general understanding of tool selection but I want to start off with something that'll perform well even if it cannot handle every job (if that makes any sense).    

[Mark J]

1 hour ago, Chestnut said:

Throwing up the bat signal here......

"Yes Commissioner Gordon, who is it, the Joker? the Riddler? Oh no, tell me it's not the Penguin!"
"No Batman, it's worse than that; it's what lathe tools to buy." 

OK, I'm joking (well partly), but this is a difficult question to field, and if you ask just 5 turners you will get different responses from each of them and from 30 other turners who overheard the question.  Moreover, I'm not a typical turner, so I will try to give you some basic facts with which, I think, most turners would agree.  Maybe @Gary Beasley will add some more.

But first, I have one piece of advice that I really, really hope you will act on:  If you're going to turn much, then join the American Association of Woodturners (and if there's one anywhere near you, a local chapter*).  If you plan to do much of any woodturning this will be the best money you will spend.  First the AAW has a curated collection of videos and many articles for the beginning turner.  It also gives you access to the AAW Forum with a wealth of previous threads and the opportunity to post your own questions.  A local club gives you access to members who can answer questions, give you hands on mentoring and may have good used stuff to sell.  

There are a multitude of different types of tools for turning so I'm just going to give you the broad strokes. 

There are cutting tools like gouges and skews as well as scraping tools that are made out of one of the various high speed steel alloys.   And there are scrapers as well as shear cutting tools that are made of tungsten carbide.  

Carbide scrapers are hands down easier to learn and use, but also will also leave a much rougher surface that requires a lot more sanding.  Because of this the vast majority of turners prefer HSS tools.  Sometimes one of these types of tools will make a curve that the other type cannot, so my personal preference is to use the best tool for the task.  

Carbide tools use a disposable carbide insert.  HSS tools must be sharpened (multiple times during a turning project), so you will need a slow speed grinder.  There are multiple ways to grind say a bowl gouge (e.g. 40/40, Ellsworth, BOB, Hatmaker) and most turners end up using a jig to get repeatable results (the most popular is the Varigrind & Wolverine).  

Most turners use long handles.  The idea is that the long handle is held against your body, which sways to form the curve on the work piece.  My advice is actually to buy handless tools and use separate handles.  First you can get long and short handles to use interchangeably.  Second, if HSS, it is much easier to sharpen a tool if the handle is removed.  Third, if a carbide scraper, these can then be easily mounted into a hollowing rig if you should so choose.  Fourth, they are much easier to transport when you eventually sign up for a woodturning class.  

[As regards handless carbide scrapers I would steer you away from the Simple Hollowing Tools and direct your attention to Easy Woods.  I love the Simple Hollowing stuff.  I have their hollowing rig and I think it is the best.  I use it all the time.  I also have all four carbide tools.  But the thing is that Easy Woods has come up with a series double bevel (negative rake) inserts for their tools, which are very useful, but do not fit the SH tools.  Also the EW parting tools insert is more easily replaced.  EW sells handless tools, but these must be ordered directly from the company, no other retailer carries them].  

 

*There's one in Des Moines

[Mark J]

So @Askland09, how is this adventure going?

[Askland09]

On 3/3/2022 at 1:48 PM, Mark J said:

So @Askland09, how is this adventure going?

Going fairly well so far!  Turned my first....thing?   More of a practice piece to get the hang of all the different tools. Its not much but its a start! 

[pkinneb]

Nice! One suggestion would be to pull one end of the lathe out from the wall a bit that way if (when) a piece comes flying off it doesn't come straight back at you.