Thread: Hamlet Turning Tools

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

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

Peter

Originally Posted by woodtryer

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


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

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

Peter

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...30-Range-c111/

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Originally Posted by 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?

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

I have started another thread rather than hijack this one.

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 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.

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) 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

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