Retro Lathe Tools

[Chris Barton]

Hi Bob,

Thanks again for a very interesting post and for visiting us here in latheland and taking a break from neanderville. There are lots of sets of tools like what you show floating around on the flea markets and such. They can be managed as good handy tools not to mention their interest as living pieces of woodworking history. Sharp tools work. All tools can be made sharp. Some are just easier than others. I guess it's the old "Indian vs arrow" thing. Since I didn't see your turning form (but, the finished product looks fine!) I'll leave commentary to the more experienced.

[Steve Kubien]

It doesn't look to me as though Bob's lathe is running in any of the pictures he posted and, further, it looks to me like the tools are "posing" for some of the shots. Anyone who has followed Bob's posts for any period of time will know that he knows the sharp end of a hammer from the blunt one. I say we leave his supposed technique alone because we can't really see what's going on anyway. But that's just my opinion and, of course, we can all do as we like.

As for why we don't use older tools as much in turning today?... Personally I am not as interested in rehabbing old tools as I once was. I am at a point right now where I want to learn to use the tools, control them, and develop nice pleasing shapes. Newer HSS and exotic indestructo-metals are allowing me to do exactly this. I suppose someday when I run across of bucket of rust at a flea market I will rescue them for another day but right now I doubt I would even notice them.

But, man, those are some pretty tools. Nice job.

Steve Kubien