Product review - Full-size Carbide Tipped Woodturning Chisel – Round Finisher

**Pat** · 12th June 2018, 08:09 AM

At a recent soiree, I was asked to play with a Carbide tipped tool by forum member Aldav, as he is not a turner.
20180610_193342.jpg
So here is the warts and all review.

The tool comes in plastic packaging and with the ubiquitous allen key appropriate for the tool. The handle is of generous girth and suitable length, partially covered in non slip material. The shaft has a flat machined on the bottom, for tool registration on the tool rest.
An issue was found with the machining marks and the resultant sharp corners, not allowing the tool to move on the tool rest with catching. This was rectified in 5 minutes, #120 to #600 sand paper smoothed out the issues.20180609_151111.jpg

In operation, it behaved as any other scraper, tool down, rounded over pen blank sized Peach, Blackbutt and Redgum easily. I even played around with shear scraping, which was satisfactory.

I then decided to see what I could do with it as a "finishing" tool, so a little finial was turned from Blackbutt flooring. Approx 110mm high, base 13mm, narrow 3.5mm.20180610_193445.jpg

I even used it to hollow out Redgum end grain and learned that softly softly was the key, as the size of the tool bit made aggressive cutting more interesting than it should be. 20180609_160053.jpg

Overall, a well made tool with a moderate learning curve. Would this replace my P & N Skews, no, but carbide tipped tools have their place in the world and I do use them when I have a requirement to.

**DaveVman** · 7th November 2018, 01:47 PM

Are these a good option for a complete novice?

**Pat** · 7th November 2018, 02:35 PM

Dave, there is a learning curve with all tools.

Correct presentation of the tool edge to the work piece is critical, with the handle higher than the cutter and the cutter on the centre line. The tool rest must be at centre line or fractionally above.

Soft hands and light scraping. Personally, I would round the spindle with a SRG, before using this tool.

Are they suitable for you. Yes, with all the pre conditions, as above and with any learner using a tool.

I use traditional tools in preference to carbide scrapers as I get a better finish off the tool and the better finish off the tool means less sanding and I dislike with intense negative emotion, blessed sanding!

**Paul39** · 8th November 2018, 02:43 AM

Pat,

What is the diameter of the shaft and the carbide tip? I bought one of these used in a weak moment some years ago:

EWT 4200: Full-Size Easy Finisher: Round - WoodTurningz

I find it is a nice rougher. Instructions say never need sharpening, but also say for final cuts use a new tip. I sharpen mine on a diamond flat wet with water and have been using it for several years. I prefer high speed steel for finishing.

**aldav** · 8th November 2018, 04:25 PM

Pat doesn't have this tool anymore, it was donated to a local wood crafters club, so I'll answer what I can.

Shaft diameter of this tool is 1/2" and the cutter is 16mm (5/8") diameter. It's the same tool as sold by Rockler (https://www.rockler.com/full-size-ro...e-turning-tool) and Peachtree (https://www.ptreeusa.com/turn_tools_..._savannah.html). I've got no idea why they charge so much for these tools, they certainly don't pay a premium price for them. I guess they charge what the market will bear and the price point has been set by EWT, Carter etc. Likewise the replacement cutters are a ridiculous price from wood work supply specialists and as you say they can be successfully sharpened with a bit of soapy water on a diamond stone..

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