Hey guys. What wood turning tools do you prefer for turning your own inserts?

I am looking for size and brand. A make and model would be perfect. If anyone knows a good web site please let me know.

Thanks again for all of your help.

Sincerely,
Dan Colville

Crown is a good medium priced tool at a very reasonable price. I keep a roughing gouge, a 3/8 inch bedan, a round nose scraper and... well that's about all I use although I have many others.

Learning to sharpen your tools is every bit as important as the brand you buy. Probably more important.

............

I'd recommend bying a set of benjamins best or harbor freight HSS tools. They really do work well and will give you a good variety to try out. Also great to practice sharpening on without worrying about grinding away an expensive tool. When you know what works best for you and you know how to sharpen it, then buy Crown or Sorby. You can then use the cheaper tools to grind into specialty tools.

For inserts I use a 3/4" roughing gouge and a parting tool. Sometimes I use a skew.

Tony

I would recomend going to a wood working store like Woodcraft. As an experienced woodturner I would reccomend sorby's. They are a little pricey and as I have learned you get what you pay for. The cheaper tools just don't hold their edge like the nicer tools do. Also invest in a sharpening system to keep them sharp.

I have a set of Marples tools, they hold their edge well and have nice handles. I believe I bought them through Grizzly Industrial. They are a little less expensive than the Sorby tools. I totally agree with learning how to sharpen the tools. They will get dull after use, especially with burl and harder woods. It has taken me a while to learn how to sharpen scrapers, but boy what a difference in the performance of the tools when the edges remain sharp. Plus there is the pride of learning something new and taking care of your tools so you can enjoy using them for a long time.

Russ

Is there certain sizes that you recommend. I have been using these pretty large delta tools that are used for making furniture...I think.

Sincerely,
Dan Colville

A nice site to visit click on movies [www.robert-sorby.co.uk] quite educational
John

I like the Sorby tools the best. They seem to retain their sharpness even on tough wood like walnut, maple, etc. Beware of Delta tools which they claim are made by Sorby. They are not as good as the Sorby's. Good lathe tools are not cheap but you get much better quality tools by paying the premium price and in the long run, will last much longer and be easier to use.

Ed Smith

I went on @#$%& and found a set of unused Craftsman red handled turning tools. They must be at least 25-30 years old and have the best steel and workmanship on any turning tools I've ever seen! I keep looking there for older tools that I need, that type of craftsmanship is seldom found on anything but very high dollar items now. So just another source for you!

Smitty