Hamlet Turning Tools

[woodtryer]

Hi all, So far my turning tool purchases have been P&N from Pops Shed. I have seen that they sell a large range of Hamlet tools and was wondering what people thought of these. I love the P&N but just thinking about trying some others as well?

Thanks for the feedback.

Peter

[dai sensei]

All mine are Hamlet. I especially love those in 2030 or 2060 steel that hold their edge a lot longer than normal HSS

[woodtryer]

Thanks Neil, but how do i tell which are 2030, 2060. All the Hamlet tools at pops shed say M2 steel.

Peter

[Oldgreybeard]

Thanks Neil, but how do i tell which are 2030, 2060. All the Hamlet tools at pops shed say M2 steel.

Peter

A couple of links which you may find helpful.
Bob



Hamlet Craft Tool claims that these tools (ASP 2030) will last approximately 2 to 3 times longer than conventional M2 steel (HSS) - Woodturns resources for woodturning http://www.woodturns.com/articles/tools/hamlet/spindle_gouge.htm
(http://www.woodturns.com/articles/tools/hamlet/spindle_gouge.htm)

M2 Steel, also called High Speed Steel, or HSS, is today's standard for Woodturning tools. - Cyndy Drozda http:/ (http://www.cindydrozda.com/html/ToolSteel.html)/www.cindydrozda.com/html/ToolSteel.html (http://www.cindydrozda.com/html/ToolSteel.html) (Note: Hamlet refer to MS as the conventional steel used for gouges)


(http://www.cindydrozda.com/html/ToolSteel.html)

[woodtryer]

thanks for that it made for interesting reading. Now i just need to find the Hamlet tools in 2030 metal.

Peter

[dai sensei]

Hamlet do not make all their tools in the higher grade steel, and not all Hamlet suppliers sell them anyway. GPW have some here http://www.garypye.com/Turning-Tools/Hamlet-Turning-Tools/ASP-2030-Range-c111/

[issatree]

Hi Peter,
Yes, Go P&N, but unhandled, as this will save you quite a bit of money.
I also like the Chinese Steel from John McJing.
Far Cheaper than the others, they are also on this site & the Cat. is there also.
Very good mailing & fast as well.
I have 10 - 12 pieces & swear by there Steel. Can't fault it in any way.

[Mobyturns]

I have a lot of Hamlet HSS tools and a couple of 2030 spindle detail gouges and skews. Hamlets were the better quality tools that our suppliers carried so that was what we purchased when starting off. I have P & N Spindle Roughing Gouges's which I much prefer over tanged SRG's, very good design & tool steel but I'm not overly impressed with how they are milled. I have used P & N detail gouges & skews but do not like the skew's as supplied.

Hamlet is a good reliable brand but I'm not sure that their HSS tools would offer significant or any benefit over P & N's to warrant replacement of the P & N's soley for the perceived benefits of "better steel." The better wear of the 2030 steel in the Hamlets is noticeable to me & I have some Thompson tools which also seem to have much better wear properties than HSS. I very much doubt the claims about greatly reduced wear and greatly extended intervals between sharpening that many turners make though, much like the credence of a fisherman's "how long the fish was" stories. In my experience they are better, sufficiently so to sway a new tool purchase decision, but I would not throw away good P&N's with a lot of use able steel for them. But if you have the available cash whats the problem. :D

[woodtryer]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm not going to give away the P&N tools, I love them. It is more that as I expand my range of tools I was thinking of trying the Hamlet as well as the P&N. I think I will go to pops shed and have a good look at the Hamlet range (and P&N of course).

Thanks again,

Peter

[dr4g0nfly]

Hamlet & Henry Taylor are owned by the same guy and their factories are in ajoining workshops.

I'll let you work the rest out for yourself.

[Flindersia]

Mobyturns,
I'd be interested to underststand what it is about the P&N skews that you don't like in their standard form?

[Mobyturns]

Mobyturns,
I'd be interested to underststand what it is about the P&N skews that you don't like in their standard form?

In standard form - two things the square corners & the finish of the steel.

I have started another thread rather than hijack this one.

[hughie]

I have several of the Hamlet gouges 2060 etc , plus a Henry Taylor super flute, Thompson, and P&N's . They all have their moments, but the variances as which is better or best is largely a personal one and what one turns.

I turn a lot of hardwood, some of the hardest in Australia. I do so on a regular basis and for there isn't much between the lot of them. None of the tools like any of the Australian hardwood's :U and thats the hard truth..

But having said that, its not to denigrate any of these tools or the makers. We just have a lot of mongrel timber here. Its take a real tough tree to survive in this sunburnt land.

[woodtryer]

After all the great responses I have gone and purchased a Hamlet 1 1/4 roughing gouge and a couple of unhandled P@N tools. I had a nice piece of gidgee that I was saving for something special and though I might use that for my first handle (something nice and soft to start with:wink:) I will post a pic as soon as I have the finished piece.
By the way, I do like the hamlet roughing gouge, thanks.

Peter

[DaveTTC]

Most of my chisels are Sorby but time wilk come for more new and more. Interesting read. Thankd for the post and responses

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art