Lathe tool handle wood?

[Chris Yarish]

What is a good species to make lathe tool handles out of?
I am looking for something strong, yet inexpensive.

What do you use?

[JerHall]

Just about any somewhat hard (to the fingernail dig in test) dry, clear, straight grain wood you have available. I wouldn't use pine or balsa wood but most everything else works if you can turn it smooth. I use black oak which is our local firewood and keep 24" long 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 blanks with the ends sealed on hand for when I need them. After a year they are good to go. Laminated scrap wood is a great choice as well while you are waiting for your green blanks to dry.

[Bill Bolen]

You can use about any hardwood. I've made handles for my tools from Cherry,Oak, a lot of Ash,Walnut and Hickory. Mostly stuff that I have cut and sealed. Let dry in the shop for awhile then onto the lathe. Bill...

[Doug Thompson]

Use what you have available.

[Bruce Pennell]

Just got a piece of orange tree to make a few tool handles with. Very nice light color. Find a nice branch and spin it up.

[Chris Yarish]

Cool....I didn't know if there were better species than others. I'd be concerned about pine holding the tang of the tool in place properly, or over the long term.

Does anyone epoxy them in the handle or just pressure fit?

[Bill Bolen]

I've had to epoxy a few that loosened up over time...Bill..

[Jim Underwood]

Blacksmiths drill a smaller than needed hole, then heat the tang, and drive the tool into the hole. The heat drives the moisture out, and supposedly the tool will stay in the handle. I still had mine pop out with the weather change...

I'm going to use some Black Locust and Osage Orange for handles on my homemade hollowing tools. Thought oughta do it....

[Jim Becker]

Any straight-grained "harder" hardwood will work quite nicely. I generally use ash or oak (white or red).