Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 16
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Rosetta, South Africa
    Posts
    181

    Default Home made tool shafts

    For those that have made their own turning tools (carbide or otherwise - not scrapers) Do you have a preference for square, round or hex bar stock?
    I have made a few with square stock but wondered if round or hex would be preferable.
    Thanks
    Phil

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Mareeba Far Nth Qld
    Age
    83
    Posts
    3,070

    Default

    Hi Phil, I have made quite a few tools from mild steel flats. These have pieces of heavy machine hack saw blade silver soldered to the top to make cutting edges. They have all been made for special jobs. This suits me as I cannot slip around the corner to the tool shop, the nearest turning tool shop is more than a days drive from here. My regular turning tools are mostly factory made tools bought on mail order.

    I have "converted" axes, motor car engine push rods and welders chipping hammers, mostly for fun. Chinese high speed blanks are now available here in Australia, that is another source of HSS material. Round or square would depend on what tool is required.

    Jim
    Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important...

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Rosetta, South Africa
    Posts
    181

    Default

    Thanks Jim,
    Useful info. Not quite as isolated as you but still have to travel a distance to get anything.
    Sorry but I think on rereading my post I did not ask the right question.
    What I wanted to know was: If I made a carbide or oland type tool which type of shank would you prefer square, round or hex?
    Square is limited in how the tool is angled to the work.
    Round is infinitely variable.
    Hex has a few angles to choose from.
    Which would you prefer?
    Hope this makes a bit more sense now.
    Phil

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    ...
    Posts
    7,955

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Phil Hansen View Post
    What I wanted to know was: If I made a carbide or oland type tool which type of shank would you prefer square, round or hex?

    Phil
    Phil,

    I made a set of Oland type of tools and I used round pieces of old gal waterpipes. Sanded them smooth and clean on the lathe between centres with sand paper and screwed, and glued with epoxy,into the pipe a threaded rod which goes at least 150 mm into the handle for strength and rigidity.

    They weigh a lot but are very easy to use.

    Peter.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    North Carolina, USA
    Posts
    2,327

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Phil Hansen View Post
    For those that have made their own turning tools (carbide or otherwise - not scrapers) Do you have a preference for square, round or hex bar stock?
    I have made a few with square stock but wondered if round or hex would be preferable.
    Thanks
    Phil
    My preferences for tools that are rotated is round. As for shear scraping. For scrapers flat bar. For Bedan type tools square. I have eased the edges on my skews so they don't nick the tool rest when I have the skew up on the edge.

    These folks make a skew any way you would like:

    http://www.hamletcrafttools.co.uk/skew-chisel.html

    I don't think there is a right or wrong shape, whatever you prefer.

    I have found a free source of round bar by dismantling scrapped copy machines and printers. They are ground and chrome plated, from 1/4 to 5/8 inch in diameter.
    So much timber, so little time.

    Paul

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Normanhurst NSW 2076
    Age
    81
    Posts
    484

    Default Oland type tool.

    I think round bar is best, although I have not tried square/hex bar for this type of tool but otherwise
    I fully agree with Paul 39. Drillit.




    Quote Originally Posted by Paul39 View Post
    My preferences for tools that are rotated is round. As for shear scraping. For scrapers flat bar. For Bedan type tools square. I have eased the edges on my skews so they don't nick the tool rest when I have the skew up on the edge.

    These folks make a skew any way you would like:

    http://www.hamletcrafttools.co.uk/skew-chisel.html

    I don't think there is a right or wrong shape, whatever you prefer.

    I have found a free source of round bar by dismantling scrapped copy machines and printers. They are ground and chrome plated, from 1/4 to 5/8 inch in diameter.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Flinders Shellharbour
    Posts
    5,693

    Default

    Phill I make around 50% of my own tools and use squared, hex and round depending on what I want it for. Its a bit of a personal choice and what steel you have to hand probably adds to it as well.
    Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. — Pablo Picasso


  9. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Rosetta, South Africa
    Posts
    181

    Default

    Thanks all for the replies.
    As was said a few times - it depends on your preference.
    So it is time to try each. Going to start with the round as more easily available in the area.
    Will see how it goes, will definitely be cheaper than imported tools.
    Thanks
    Phil

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    950

    Default

    Braziers in Pietermaritzburg have some fairly cheap high speed steel pieces, next time you're in town. I just wish they were open on Saturday, I never seem to get in there during the week.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Flinders Shellharbour
    Posts
    5,693

    Default

    Phil I use round for Oland type tools, it just easier to roll the tool over with a round bar.
    Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. — Pablo Picasso


  12. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Rosetta, South Africa
    Posts
    181

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Colin62 View Post
    Braziers in Pietermaritzburg have some fairly cheap high speed steel pieces, next time you're in town. I just wish they were open on Saturday, I never seem to get in there during the week.
    Went there today. They have the normal toolbits of which I have a few of the different sizes.
    I thought you meant they had some old stock at old prices but Clive & I couldn't find anything hiding on the side.
    Thanks anyway.
    Phil

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    shoalhaven n.s.w
    Posts
    1,240

    Default

    One thing with square and rectangle bars is you have more surface area of tool on the tool rest but harder to manipulate angle of cutting edge.
    I have been experimenting with the round bright bar. And have shelved it for the moment.
    i would be interested in how the hex bar might go, could be onto something!
    Turning round since 1992

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Rosetta, South Africa
    Posts
    181

    Default

    Got some 10mm, 12mm and 14mm round, square and hex.
    When time permits will make one type in round, square and hex and try them out.
    Will come back with my feelings when I have done the first set.
    Phil

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Rosetta, South Africa
    Posts
    181

    Default

    Nearly a year but do have some feelings after some trial and error.
    Not everyone will agree but I find the hex bar to my liking.
    Easy to set and keep an angle and this is great in a deepish pot/bowl.
    The round bar twisted and made control difficult.
    The square bar is difficult to hold for a shear cut .
    So in my opinion 14mm hex is the one.
    I am sure there will be other opinions but these are mine.
    Cheers
    Phil

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Albury Well Just Outside
    Posts
    13,315

    Default

    After reading your post I guess what I am thinking a photo might be necessary.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Home made Fullering Tool
    By BobL in forum THE SMITHY
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 7th August 2013, 06:05 PM
  2. home made hollowing tool
    By thefixer in forum WOODTURNING - GENERAL
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 27th March 2008, 06:30 AM
  3. Home-Made Tool
    By Fredo in forum WOODTURNING - GENERAL
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 7th August 2007, 12:49 AM
  4. Home made parting tool
    By Tiger in forum WOODTURNING - GENERAL
    Replies: 29
    Last Post: 26th May 2006, 04:26 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •