Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: First tools

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Marshall, NC
    Posts
    282

    First tools

    Howdy folks! This is my first question in the turners forum. I am in the process of building a Da Vinci/Roy Underhill treadle lathe(I've of course added to it's currently instilled genius). But I need a tool set and have my eyes on one of the ones from Harbor Freight. My question is does anybody have experience with these sets and if not can some recommend a turning set for a beginner, like me with a budget of about $40-$80.
    I was once a woodworker, I still am I'm just saying that I once was.

    Chop your own wood, it will warm you twice. -Henry Ford

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Haubstadt (Evansville), Indiana
    Posts
    1,294
    It was my first set. I still use the parting tool today. Just like it for some reason. The set I have is red handle that some say was a better set than the ones now. IMO it a good set to learn with and learn sharpening. Hurricane and Benjamin Best are also value priced for starting out.
    When working I had more money than time. In retirement I have more time than money. Love the time, miss the money.

  3. #3
    Lotsa talk in the archives about the HF set. Consensus seemed to be "yes, good starter set". I started turning a month ago and bought that set. They work just fine.

    You'll need a couple other things, if you dont have them already: a grinder, a wolverine jig, an Ellsworth jig. You can easily build both jigs by googling them. Lotsa ways to build those.

    (Sorry I cant help more. I have reached the limit of my experience. )
    "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

    “If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Mid - Michigan - 25 miles east of Lansing
    Posts
    33
    You get what you pay for. Evidently you aren't interested in getting top-of-the-line tooling (and paying the price for it). So, I'm thinking the Harbor Freight set might suit you just fine. It was my first set, also, and I, too, am still using some of the pieces. Just remember that this is not high-speed steel, so you won't be able to keep an edge very long. That worked out pretty good for me because since I had to sharpen often I "perfected" my sharpening technique quicker.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    north, OR
    Posts
    1,160
    Since you're already making your own lathe.. in for a pinch, in for a pound?

    http://woodturninglearn.net/articles/makinghooktool.htm
    http://aroundthewoods.com/hooktool.shtml

    Won't do everything you want of course, you'd also want at least a skew, parting tool, and likely a roughing gouge to start with. Practically you could also make all of those except perhaps the roughing gouge.

    Be aware that HF has two turning tool sets, the one most people like is around $65 and IS high speed steel (of some sort), and the $18 one is some kind of junk pot metal. I ended up buying individual pieces from PSI (Benjamins Best) which are roughly comparable quality but have the advantage that you can buy onesie twosie as you want.

    For "normal" (traditional? I hesitate to use that word.. anyway).. Minimally you'd want a skew (1"), parting tool (1/8"), spindle rouging gouge (3/4"), spindle detail gouge (3/8"), and a bowl gouge (1/2" - technically you could replace the spindle gouge with this for ~many~ things.. if I had to save a few bucks to start I'd skip the spindle gouge). The sizes are rough recommendations, but should generally get you pretty close to going.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    South Carolina
    Posts
    303
    Quote Originally Posted by Ryan Mooney View Post
    ...Be aware that HF has two turning tool sets, the one most people like is around $65 and IS high speed steel (of some sort), and the $18 one is some kind of junk pot metal. I ended up buying individual pieces from PSI (Benjamins Best) which are roughly comparable quality but have the advantage that you can buy onesie twosie as you want...
    Agreed, except that I think the BB tools are a little more consistent in terms of quality. I have the HF set as well as some BB tools... The BB tools are hardly Doug Thomspon steel, but they're consistently good enough. Of my HF set, about 2/3 of the tools are fine, the other 1/3 won't hold an edge. Also, HF does not sell a bowl gouge.


    For my part, I would say that if you need a large set of various tools (or if you're not sure what you need), go with the HF set to get started, and supplement as needed with other brands. If you know what you need, it may be better to purchase the tools you want individually.


    One other thing to note... you need a way to sharpen your tools regularly. This is easily as important as the tools themselves.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Brentwood, TN
    Posts
    684
    I purchased a set that is marked as HSS (8 tools in a wooden box). I still use all of them today, some 5 years later. They're great to learn on, and to learn to sharpen. I recently re-shaped the pointy scraper into a rounded negative rake scraper.
    Maker of Fine Kindling, and small metal chips on the floor.
    Embellishments to the Stars - or wannabees.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    north, OR
    Posts
    1,160
    Quote Originally Posted by Aaron Craven View Post
    Agreed, except that I think the BB tools are a little more consistent in terms of quality. I have the HF set as well as some BB tools... The BB tools are hardly Doug Thomspon steel, but they're consistently good enough. Of my HF set, about 2/3 of the tools are fine, the other 1/3 won't hold an edge. Also, HF does not sell a bowl gouge.
    Ah I didn't realize that their set didn't include a bowl gouge. That puts the math more firmly into the buy ones and twos as you want (err. NEED definitely need ) them camp for me.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Marshall, NC
    Posts
    282
    Thanks all. Like some have suggested, I have no idea what I need for turning. All I'll be making with the lathe is spindles and and the like, no bowls(for the time being). As for sharpening, some of you might know me for back at Neanderthal Haven, and I only possess hand tools due to stubbornness and monetary reasons. So I sharpen my tools by hand(I do have a hand grinder that I use from time to time) I reckon this will either show my skill or lack of there in. I have Leonard Lee's book on sharpening to study so I should be alright. I think I'll buy HF's good set and go from there, this won't be a thing I'll spend much time in though(so I'll say now). Thanks again folks!
    I was once a woodworker, I still am I'm just saying that I once was.

    Chop your own wood, it will warm you twice. -Henry Ford

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    north, OR
    Posts
    1,160
    Quote Originally Posted by Brent Cutshall View Post
    this won't be a thing I'll spend much time in though(so I'll say now).
    There's the optimism... Welcome to the vortex

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Forestville, CA
    Posts
    107
    Make sure they are properly hardened by trying to file them. A file will not touch a hardened tool. Unfortunately only ~1/3 of my set was hardened. The rest will not hold an edge.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Marshall, NC
    Posts
    282
    Quote Originally Posted by Dane Riley View Post
    Make sure they are properly hardened by trying to file them. A file will not touch a hardened tool. Unfortunately only ~1/3 of my set was hardened. The rest will not hold an edge.
    Shoot, I learned the filing aspect with moulding plane blades. One was hardened and I was trying to shape the face, ruined two files like an idiot. If I know what steel they are, I could probably harden them.
    I was once a woodworker, I still am I'm just saying that I once was.

    Chop your own wood, it will warm you twice. -Henry Ford

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    The Great Northwest
    Posts
    474
    One of our recent demonstrators made a point about how all of us turners have a number of tools that we thought were a good idea, but never use. Perhaps we could start a list for Brent's perusal? My "useless tool" will rub some the wrong way, but so goes it -- an oval skew. Square scraper comes in second place, though I did use it by re-grinding to a negative rake scraper.
    Last edited by Jamie Straw; 11-05-2016 at 1:20 AM. Reason: grammer

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    E TN, near Knoxville
    Posts
    12,298
    Quote Originally Posted by Jamie Straw View Post
    One of our recent demonstrators made a point about how all of us turners have a number of tools that we thought were a good idea, but never use. Perhaps we could start a list for Brent's perusal? My "useless tool" will rub some the wrong way, but so goes it -- an oval skew. Square scraper comes in second place, though I did use it by re-grinding to a negative rake scraper.
    Jamie, That might be interesting to a lot of people. To pursue this you might start a new thread so it won't be buried.

    Keeping in mind that one person's useless can be another's favorite, a new turner might get the best advice for tool if the pros and cons were discussed. Much would depend on the type of turning the person enjoys or hopes to enjoy some day.

    My useless list would include a couple of Easy Wood tools and a Sorby ring tool. My often-used list would include that oval skew you mentioned. (I have two)

    Also, the useless list can change over time with changing interests and skills. My lists from today and 10 years ago would have some tools swapping sides.

    JKJ

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •