Replies

1. 
   mike4244 | Apr 08, 2005 02:26am | #1

   I don't claim to be an expert, but my gouge handles came out nice. Here is how I did it. I bored a series of stepped holes before I turned the handles. I checked the tang for taper, while still square I bored a series of decreasing size holes on the drill press. I plugged the end and turned the handle between centers.I had Sorby chisels for a template forthe handle. I used a 3/4" long piece of 3/4" copper pipe for a ferrule.

   mike

1. 
   andyroy1101 | Apr 08, 2005 10:37pm | #6

   Stepped bores is the best suggestion I've heard foe the tangs.  I was able to find ferrules.  McMaster Carr has them for hoses in lots of sizes. 

   Thanks.  a

2. 
   UncleDunc | Apr 08, 2005 06:56am | #2

   I saw a suggestion one time to use nuts from brass compression fittings for ferrules.

   http://www.indanc.com/images/compression_fittings/wade/fitting-w10.gif

1. 
   dude | Apr 08, 2005 10:48am | #3

   lee valley has 2x2x16" pieces of  dogwood for sale in there Ottawa store in the  sale area.

   They  have a  sample of a turned gouge handle and it shows of its slightly pinkish colour & smooth as a babys bum

   The  blanks are $3.00 can  about $2.50 us

   I bought 3 or 4 because it looks so  nice turned & I have yet to get a lathe  but they got me thinking in that direction , like the tail wagging the dog

   Edited 4/9/2005 3:12 am ET by dude

1. 
   GRW | Apr 08, 2005 02:03pm | #4

   Though I have never tried it, I heard that you can use the brass from USED shot gun shells. Just cut the plastic away from the brass, punch out the brass pin, and drive the tang into the pin hole.. Don't know if this works.. Just read it somewhere..

   Good luck.

    

1. 
   HWG | Apr 08, 2005 07:11pm | #5

   I have tried it, and it looks like I used the brass from a shotgun shell.  I hoped for something a bit more classic.  I later used slices of copper pipe and then brass pipe, which I liked best.  The brass compression fittings idea has merit, if you are OK with the octagonal look rather than round.  The closed end look of the fittings is a good idea.  One advantage of round pipe slice is that you can quickly polish and finish it while spinning on the lathe.

   Woody 

1. 
   andyroy1101 | Apr 08, 2005 10:40pm | #7

   Woody,  check the McMaster Carr website for ferrules, and for brass tubing.  They sell really thick walled pipe and the look is great.  a

3. 
   tailsorpins | Apr 08, 2005 11:29pm | #8

   The tapered ferrule from that compression fitting (not the nut) makes a nice ring, and they're available loose from the home centers, even in the 5/8, 3/4, and 7/8 sizes, if you can't locate a section of brass pipe.  Usually, 1" thinwall brass drain pipe can be purhased in 12" sections (possibly chrome plated); but beware, this drawn material tends to be quite hard (you can anneal it - heat & quench) and might otherwise split if you drive it over an oversize stub.  Standard wall pipe is a mite bulky for my taste.  Thinwall steel tubing that works well can be salvaged from old kitchen chairs, shelving, old steel table legs, scrapped-out bicycle frames....you name it.  Open your mind and you will start to see all kinds of alternate applications for everyday junk ....  Turn ONE to try and fine-tune your design before you do a whole batch.

   John in Texas

4. 
   dirtstirrer | Apr 09, 2005 04:10am | #9

   My preference is for non round handles, they don't roll around.  I shape mine with the bandsaw, drawknife, spokeshave and a chisel.  There used to be a great photo tutorial on making such a handle posted here.  I'll try a search...

    

   Steve
1. 
   dirtstirrer | Apr 09, 2005 04:23am | #10

   Ah-ha!  Found it.  Good old Bob Smalser posted this, its a great thread.  The message number is:  17131.1 

   I think that worked as a link, if not, search for the post number.

    Steve

1. 
   dude | Apr 09, 2005 10:14am | #11

   Lee Valley has ferrules I picked up some yesterday.

5. 
   TomHigby | Apr 10, 2005 04:37am | #12

   Tool handles can be made from any good hard-wood.  Being somewhat of a scavenger, I keep my eye open for old base-ball bats at yard sales, usually 50c. or $1. They are of the finest quality ash, and long enough to make one or two handles, depending on cracks.  I use short lengths of copper tubing or plumbing compression nuts.

   Old bats have many other uses for the turner, being fine quality and well seasoned.  Broken off shovel hadles can also be recycled.

   Tom

1. 
   lwj2 | Apr 11, 2005 03:51am | #13

   I just turned a new handle for a T.H. Witherby 1½ inch socket chisel I picked up on E-bay.Last fall I trimmed our apple trees -- the people who sold us our house never bothered -- and piled the branches in the yard near the fence for a brush pile for small critters.So today I looked through it and grabbed a nice chunk of apple. Setting the angle of the socket-tenon was a bit of a pain, but I managed it OK.Main problem so far: some idiot that owned the chisel in the past beat on it with a hammer when the old handle broke off. Managed to get it out of true. Looks useable, but if it's a problem, I'll send it to a friend who's a bladesmith and see if he can manage to repair it.I like turning handles for my tools, I can tinker with them to get the fit and feel just right.If I can manage to find a camera or get a digital one, I'll post a couple of photos.Leon Jester