Thread: Whats tools

Why? If a tool can be used in multiple ways, pens, pepper mills, bowls, lidded boxes, etc, doesn't it make sense to use it? I can see having a tool with a special grind on it being reserved so that it doesn't need to be reground every time you want it for something else but carbide doesn't have that issue, just rotate the insert. Your choice so do what makes you the happiest.

Pete

Some I find too large, impracticable and I like to keep sharp tools for bigger things because I hate sharpening. I have a separate pen turning lathe and set up so it would be nice to have a set of 3 smaller chisels just for that. Other reasons too but obviously I'm the odd one out

Okay that makes sense for your use. I use the same regular length tools for everything I turn and don't mind the sharpening part of it all. Sometimes being an odd duck makes for creative solutions the rest of the flock would never dream of.

Pete

It probably depends on how many pens you turn - I don’t turn that many, but I guess I don’t focus on any one type of project. I turned a small batch recently and thinking back I didn’t even use the same tools on all of them. My tool choice varied with the blanks. Small skew for the straight grained Blackwood and gouges for the banksia and macadamia.