Lathe chisels

[john brenton]

I finally made a mini-pole lathe that really works. I had made my old one with a sliding dovetail base and used wedges to fit everything together. I'm not saying it didn't work at all...but yeah. Not so much. I'll take a picture of my new one once I have something pretty to show on it...all I'll say is that its made from a 'pony' bar clamp.

My question is about chisels. I want to shape guitar friction pegs, which for the most part require hard woods and I need some good mini lathe chisels that will hold a razor sharp edge. My birthday's coming up and I want a set. Does anyone know where I can find what everyone is looking for (ie. best quality for the cheapest price!!)?

[Tom McMahon]

A lot of people that turn on a meat powered lathes want tool steel chisels not high speed steel. If that is what you want I would look to the antique sources. I found some old DR Bartons at a farm auction that I like a lot.