Thread: Choice of timber for tool handles

I use anything strong that doesn't split end to end as you wedge the tool into the handle.

What Cliff said, preferably a wood with a bit of weight to it.

I like "heavier than standard" handles, probably 'cos I started with old redgum and ironbark handled tools.

G'day Ern,

I bought a couple of unhandled gouges last year from the P & N stand and, following some advice, settled on gidgee handles turned by Bruce Bell from Withcott. I really couldn't be happier. One was a 25mm roughing gouge and the other a 12mm finishing gouge. Because gidgee is so heavy, the handles provide a really nice balance to the tools. I've never turned it but I believe gidgee is really hard and not easy to come by. Makes ripper handles though.

Cheers,
Keith

Originally Posted by keith53

..... I've never turned it but I believe gidgee is really hard and not easy to come by. Makes ripper handles though.....

My parents have thousands of acres of it, no good for stock feed, kills off grass & everything else & good old Peter Beatie says he can't clear it any more.

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

My parents have thousands of acres of it, no good for stock feed, kills off grass & everything else & good old Peter Beatie says he can't clear it any more.

Mmmm. An idea is beginning to form in the back of my head.

Originally Posted by keith53

Mmmm. An idea is beginning to form in the back of my head.

On second thoughts, you could just tell Soundman. He'd find a way to sell it.

your damn tootin

seriously. using diferent timbers for diferent tools is a great idea as you can see the tool you want in the pile of shavings.

I like spotted gum, greay gum is nice...... oh hell anything thats sound hard and handy.

90x45 hd hardwood isn't bad you can get two out of each length if you dont want a thick handle.

stay away from kwila it can stain your sweaty hands.

cheers

i made up a set of 4 Jarra handled turning chisels 25mm-30mm dia 300mm long ( jarra's OK as long as you dont hit the end with a hammer )
thay have chucks on the end of them so you can change chisels , got a good swiss 1/2 inch gouge at a garage sale for $2 and cut the ferrel off and had a mate turn it down to 10mm on the end , the other bits are carbide scrapers and a 10mm rod with a allan keyed hardend nail for a parting tool

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

I use anything strong that doesn't split end to end as you wedge the tool into the handle.

I'll go along with that - I've used anything from some sort of borer riddled Oak to eucalypt hardwood from a pallet. Diameter is more important to me than weight - gotta fit the hand right!!!

Originally Posted by keith53

I've never turned it but I believe gidgee is really hard and not easy to come by.

Hard but workable - - and beautiful!. Friends of mine out here have a few hundred acres they are allowed to cut - they use it for fenceposts mainly. Yeah I know - makes you shudder don't it!

Wondering about balance. Doesn't seem to be so much an issue with faceplate turning provided the basics are right, but with spindle turning ... ?

Ern,
Like most I grab whatever is around the shed. However I do have a piece of 3x2.5 hardwood from some local tree, dunno what is is but is darn good.
Until I came across a piece of industrial plywood. Its laminated hardwood and has a good weight to it and makes a good handle.

Gidgee........sigh, dont get enough around to afford the luxury of handles. but I reckon it would be one of the best as I like a heavy end to my tools. I like the counter weight effect when things start buckin'.:eek: Plus the weight feels good in the hand, balance and all

Most old tools have handles that were out of the makers backyard so to speak. Personally I like them heavy also. One of the best chisels I've used had a marble tube over a wooden inner core - heavy and very accurate.

Thanks for the distilled experience folks.

I did put a heavy redgum handle on a 1/2" ground spindle gouge and wasn't happy with the balance and feel. Might try something lighter with the continental gouge and she how she goes - it's forged and lighter.

Ern
Horizontal makes Handle's.