Replies

1. 
   lwj2 | Oct 25, 2009 07:09pm | #1

   I've found Packard to be a good source of lathe tools.

   http://www.packardwoodworks.com/

   I suggest a ¾" roughing gouge, a ½" bowl gouge, ½ & ¼ inch spindle gouges, ½" skew and a ¾" round scraper.

   I added a larger skew later on.

   If you can do so, learn to sharpen free-hand. Some can, some can't.

   Most importantly, have fun making shavings!

   Leon
   
2. 
   forestgirl | Oct 26, 2009 02:40am | #2

   Quick, I was waiting to let the turning-guru's pitch in with their wisdom.  They're out turning I guess (I'm cleaning house, LOL) so I'll give you the list I got at my first turning class a few weeks ago with Bonnie Klein.  Recommended for getting started, with spindle-type work as it "turns" out:

   • 3/8" bowl gouge
   • 3/4" roughing gouge
   • 3/8" spindle gouge
   • 3/4" skew
   • 1/4" skew*
   • 1/8" Parting tool
   • 1/16" parting tool*
   • 1/2" square scraper
   • 1/2" round-nose scraper

   She recommended taking a 3/4" x 1/8" thick parting tool and regrinding it to a skew because no-one seems to make a 1/8" thick 3/4" skew.  I'm going to try doing this!

   As far as brands go, I've gotten advice about more expensive chisels to buy, but I'm sticking with the Benjamin's Best from Penn State Industries, which are the tools we used in class and the ones Bonnie orders for herself for many of the chisels.  When they are 1/3-1/4 the price of the expensive ones, I figure I'll use 'em for awhile, especially while learning how to shape and sharpen them.  Then decide later if I want to change.

   My Penn State order came in right around $100 before shipping (left out the *asterisked* items for now).

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
3. 
   mike4244 | Oct 27, 2009 02:10am | #3

   Like Forest Girl suggested, "Benjamins Best " from Penn State is a quality brand at low prices.Buy a set, you will get a parting tool,skew ,roughing gouge,3/8" gouge , a scraper,a bowl gouge may also come with it.

   mike

4. 
   ThreePuttJoe | Oct 27, 2009 04:40am | #4

   Quick,

   I posed that exact question to this group a year or so ago, and I got several good answers. FWW contacted me to see if they could put the question in Issue #199 to be answered in detail by none other than Ernie Conover in a one page mini article. You should take a look at his answer. He suggests, as did a lot of others to not buy a complete set, as you probably will be buying some tools that you will never, or seldom use...and the handles are the same which makes it more difficult to easily identify the tool you need quickly. He suggests that you buy a few basic tools for your initial turnings, and buy other tools as you figure out what you want to turn. He also suggests grinding some of your own specialty scrapers out of old files, screwdrivers etc.

   I would second that. I tried to do follow this for the most part, but I was temped into buying a couple tools that I thought I would need down the road. These couple tools have not even seen wood yet. The tools that see the most use are the ones that I bought as I discovered what I really needed through actual turning.

   As a hobbyist, I have the luxury of not having any deadlines, so I can stop and get the tool I need and go back to what I am doing later. I find that discovering what I need by actually needing it makes for a much more useful and "custom" set of tools.

   That said, an inexpensive set might be a good starting point, because you won't break the bank, and can use a lot of tools for multiple functions. If you buy an expensive set, you may quickly find that you prefer a flat, or other radius scraper than the one that comes in your set, etc. etc. Plus, with a less expensive set, you will be more likely to grind a different profile on a tool than the one that is on there.

1. 
   Quickstep | Oct 27, 2009 04:46am | #5

   Your timing is uncanny. I was just online and thought that I might be well served to buy tools one at a time. So, with that said, what turning tools are "must haves"?

   Where do Sorby tools fit into this picture?

   I'm off to find issue #199!!

1. 
   ThreePuttJoe | Oct 27, 2009 05:14am | #6

   Quick,

   I started out turning bowls as well as spindles, so my initial purchases might be different. I got the big Ellsworth Bowl gouge, a 1/4" V-Shaped Parting Tool, a 1" Roughing gouge, a 3/8" Spindle Gouge, a 1" Skew chisel and a 1" round-nose scraper. Other than the Ellsworth, the other tools I initially purchased were Ashley Iles. I was disappointed with the edge of a Sorby bench chisel I bought one time, so I was reluctant to buy any Sorby Turning tools, but, some positive reviews on their turning tools made me give them another chance when I wanted a big heavy duty bowl scraper. That is a very good tool. I also just picked up the big flat scraper from Sorby and reground that as Conover suggests in the most recent FWW. I also bought a dovetail scraper.

   I have read great reviews on the Sorby Spindlemaster as well. That is on the Christmas list.

   I think a big roughing gouge is a must, as is a 3/8" spindle gouge, round nose scraper, parting tool and a skew chisel. I do confess, the skew still scares the &%#@ out of me, but you can use it in so many ways.

2. 
   joe__g | Jun 28, 2010 04:20pm | #7

   How do the recommended tools in issue 199 fair for a midi lathe

   I pulled out issue #199.   I have two questions (hope that doesn't break any forum rules....:-)

   1) How well will the list Ernie Conover provided work for a midi lathe for spindle and bowl turning?  https://www.finewoodworking.com/subscription/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesArticle.aspx?id=30963

   I have read several of the posts in this and other forums on suggested starting tools.   The suggestions vary quite a lot!!

   I'm new to turning.  So new, I don't even own a lathe or turning tool.   I'm planning to purchase the Delta 46-460 midi lathe and include a chuck.  I read the FWW article "The Lathe Accessory Everyone Needs  A 4-jaw chuck will change the way you turn" by Ralph Tursini and found his suggesting very intreging.   Ralph suggests a 3.5" chuck for a midi lathe. 

   2) Does anyone have any suggestions on a type and size of chuck?   I'm looking for quality.  Would the chuck listed in Pen State fit the Delta 46-460?   http://www.pennstateind.com/store/CSC3000C.html

   Ralph talks about chuck diamater, the web lists jaw openings.

   Appreciate any thoughts and suggestions.   As always, I greatly appreciate your time and help.

   Joe

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 01, 2010 11:03am | #8

   Name-brand chuck; fewer chisels

   Pesonally, I wouldn't run out and buy all of the tools on Ernie's list..  You going to find that buying good chisels will eat up your budget very quickly unless you're selective.  You can get by without the 3/8" beading/parting tool and the V-point scraper probably. I would recommend a 3/8" spindle gouge to start with, add the 1/2" later on.  I have a dome scraper, haven't used it really.  I find the round scraper where the grind is offset to the left more useful.

   I started out doing spindle-work and have recently entered the world of bowl turning.  I've found what I use the most is a 1/2" bowl gouge (2 of them, actually), and the above-mentioned scraper plus a parting tool, the most.  The 2 bowl gouges are ground different, one to do the outside and the upper part of the interior, (has side-grind) and one to do the transitional area and into the bottom (traditional grind - blunt,, straight across the nose).  With more practice, eventually I'll be able to use the longer-grind gouge for all of it.

   For a chuck....if at all possible, but one of the bigger names:  Oneway  Talon  (or whatever Oneway recommends for the smaller lathes).  I'm not loaded up on caffeine yet, can't remember the name of the other top chuck.  They're expensive, yes, but they need to be machined extremely well and you don't need any aggravation from that accessory.

   Gotta run.  Have fun, good luck!

5. 
   joe__g | Jul 02, 2010 02:17pm | #9

   Thank you!

   Forest Girl, thank you for the feedback and recommendations!

   I'm to the point on tools that I just need to get a few esentials and get started turning.   I'm about saturated from reading and watching videos - it's time for some hands on experience.

   In regards to the chuck, I though the PSI Barracuda was a top of the line... only assumed that from reading customer comments and being positive.  The OneWay Talon looks like a nice chuck and is applicable for a midi lathe at 3.5".

   Next is finding some classes.   I live in Rochester, MN.   Curently we don't have any major woodworking shops, so any classes will be around 1.5 hours away in Minneapolis / St. Paul.

   Appreciate your help, Forest Girl.   Hope you continue to make progress on your turning journey....

   Joe