Thread: What do you use ?

I'm from the "Old School" and use a 1/2" re-ground spindle gouge to turn all my timbers and acrylics.
Looks like there is getting to be fewer and fewer pen turners out there that know how to use tradition turning chisels, let alone know how to sharpen them with all the new carbide tools out there.

Les

Les

I've only used a 1/2 spindle gouge and when I'm really brave, my skew. It seems that when I was starting out about five years ago, whatever one read, the only thing to use was a skew. That didn't work well for me, but the spindle gouge did, so for me, what works is what you use.

John

Was using standard HSS tools, Sorby and a few others, and an old home made round nose scraper made from an old mill file that got dropped and broken, ground it down to a handy profile....then used some EZ WoodTools for a class room demo, never picked up the old tools again, sold them to a new turner, except for the home made favorite!
The carbide cutters are just fantastic, and I use carbide inserts on my metal/engine lathe also.

Originally Posted by edblysard

Was using standard HSS tools, Sorby and a few others, and an old home made round nose scraper made from an old mill file that got dropped and broken, ground it down to a handy profile....then used some EZ WoodTools for a class room demo, never picked up the old tools again, sold them to a new turner, except for the home made favorite!
The carbide cutters are just fantastic, and I use carbide inserts on my metal/engine lathe also.

Hey Ed. I was hoping to run into an 'Easy-Wood Tool' re-seller at the recent Timber & Working With Wood' show in Brisbane last week end, but unfortunately, it seems they have not made it 'down-Under' yet. I'm afraid I'm a bit of a 'tool Junkie', so I enjoy checking out the latest stuff.

I use my old faithful Sorby 7/8" spindle gouge to rough down then a 3/4" skew to finish. Love watching the shavings curl off the edge of the skew.

All the pens I have made so far are wood, will the spindle gouge and skew work on acrylics?

Used to use only a 1/2 inch skew chisel start to finish but only due to the ease with which it is sharpened.

Now I alternate between the skew and a carbide pen tool. Usually I do the last finishing cuts with carbide. Sometimes I do the whole pen start to finish with the carbide tool. I have used a gouge but I prefer it for large spindle turnings.

Pariss, isn't the Woodchuck Pro the same as the Ezywood tool?

Looked at the WoodChuck Pro, its close but not exactly the same, but the concept and insert is close enough to each other it would be the same basic tool, plus you can make your own handle to fit your hand, price seemd pretty good also!

Originally Posted by plantagenon

Pariss, isn't the Woodchuck Pro the same as the Ezywood tool?

I have gotten to where I use my pen pro from start to finish. If held at the right angle you can start sanding at 600 if you need to sand at all.