Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Aldinga Beach
    Age
    76
    Posts
    22

    Default Turning tools for newby.

    As an absolute novice, where can I buy a basic set of good/reasonable turning tools in Adelaide (besides Carbatec) please?

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    1,556

    Default

    Maxx02, Machinery house offers a cheaper option than carbatec, please see link below, not one in Adelaide i'm afraid but they can post.

    Buy Wood Turning Tools Online - Australia | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse

    Richard

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Adelaide Hills, South Australia
    Posts
    4,311

    Default

    As far as I know Carbatec is about it for local shops here in Adelaide.

    Otherwise, buying online is how we have to buy here unless you manage to buy secondhand...

    Do you know what type of turning you will begin with? Spindles or bowls? You use different tools for each.

    If you don't know yet, I highly recommend you take some turning lessons and that way you will not only avoid buying tools you don't need but also get some tuition on how to use the ones you do need.

    As a starting point I suggest you contact local turner Tim Skilton ( [email protected] ) to see if he is running some classes himself or can refer you on to someone who he recommends.

    Ignoring that advice, you won't lose a lot by going with the Carbatec economy set. But, if you get enthusiastic about woodturning it is inevitable that you will be replacing individual tools from that set when you know what you really need.

    Economy Turning Chisel Set - 6 pce | Carbatec
    Stay sharp and stay safe!

    Neil



  5. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Coffs Harbour
    Posts
    1,791

    Default

    It's been many years since I've owned a lathe and set of chisels but since I'm starting down this path again, I was thinking of getting on of these to try out.

    W300 - WT-3C Carbide Wood Turning Tools - 6 Piece Set | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse

    Whether it's from hare and Forbes or not. Anyone have opinions on this style of cutter?

    As it states it's harder than HSS I assume it's also harder or a PITA to sharpen

    Cheers
    Delbs

    Sent from my Nokia 5.3 using Tapatalk

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Adelaide Hills, South Australia
    Posts
    4,311

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by delbs View Post
    It's been many years since I've owned a lathe and set of chisels but since I'm starting down this path again, I was thinking of getting on of these to try out.

    W300 - WT-3C Carbide Wood Turning Tools - 6 Piece Set | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse

    Whether it's from hare and Forbes or not. Anyone have opinions on this style of cutter?

    As it states it's harder than HSS I assume it's also harder or a PITA to sharpen

    Cheers
    Delbs

    Sent from my Nokia 5.3 using Tapatalk
    The only time I ever use carbide tips is on very dirty (eg stone infested) wood to save my good HSS 'woodturning' tools...

    If you occasionally need one, make your own. They sharpen on diamond or green wheels.

    It is the least used tool in my tool rack for a number of reasons.

    Opinion: I don't like the way they shower you with splinters!

    Opinion: A carbide edge is more durable than HSS but it never gets or stays very sharp. That has to do with the carbide particle size.

    Opinion: The currently available profiles (flutes, etc) in carbide is very limited compared to HSS.

    Opinion: They are a scraping tool the way they are used my most people but they are not as good for final scraping cuts as good HSS.

    Opinion: I prefer to remove the bulk of wood from bowls and do the shaping with the cutting edge of a bowl gouge and not the scraping action of carbide tip.

    Opinion: I prefer to hollow closed forms with cutters than scrapers.

    Opinion: I have noticed that the keenest users of carbide tips tend to be the least proficient in using 'regular' woodturning tools. But, that might say more about them than the tool. The concern is that there is going to be a down-skilling of turners.

    Opinion: I don't know of any well known woodturners who use them very much, or at all. That's says something about their collective opinions.

    That should give you the drift of my opinion/s on the matter....
    Stay sharp and stay safe!

    Neil



  7. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Caringbah, NSW
    Age
    81
    Posts
    385

    Default


  8. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Coffs Harbour
    Posts
    1,791

    Default

    @NeilS exactly the type of response I was looking for as to why I shouldn't buy them. Your completely right over never met a Turner that uses them. Even a Sorby set of HSS seems to be preferred over these types of tools.

    Thanks for the feedback. I know what to keep an eye out for when the right set of turning tools comes up on the forum for sale

    Sent from my Nokia 5.3 using Tapatalk

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    North Carolina, USA
    Posts
    2,327

    Default

    I agree with NeilS above. A world famous bowl turner, Bob Stocksdale, used a 1/2 inch bowl gouge and a scraper. That was it.

    bob stocksdale bowls - Google Search
    So much timber, so little time.

    Paul

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Oberon, NSW
    Age
    63
    Posts
    13,354

    Default

    Late to the thread, but...

    Generally speaking I think Neil has it spot on. However there is one job I will resort to a carbide tipped tool; when starting to rough a root burl or a crotch, etc. that has been filled with detritus for many years.

    Sure, you can pressure clean it to remove most loose grits but a tree is a growing thing and will quite happily grow around objects. I'm sure we've all seen pix of trees grown around pushbikes, but more common is sandy particles incorporated into the outer wood.

    I won't ruin a good tool for this, so use a carbide scraper. Carbide, because it lasts longer under this abuse and a scraper because it's less likely to cause a dig-in if the 'grit' turns out to be a stone. (Nails you can check for with a magnet. Stones? Nuh-uh. )

    Once the worst of the suspect material is gone, I'll revert to my better tools.
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    North Carolina, USA
    Posts
    2,327

    Default

    For knocking off the nasty parts of roots or suspicious close to the ground trunks, I have a scrap rotary mower blade ground as a rounded scraper, and a 16mm square piece of high carbon steel with a half round 80 degree grind. When nicked or dulled, a quick swipe on the grinder that is set up for grinding scrapers gets me back to roughing. I have $0.00 in either of them, I made a handle for the 16mm, and just ground off and smoothed the sharp edges of the mower blade.
    So much timber, so little time.

    Paul

Similar Threads

  1. GPW turning tools.
    By JDarvall in forum WOODTURNING - GENERAL
    Replies: 34
    Last Post: 18th March 2018, 12:22 AM
  2. Turning Tools
    By BOX in forum WOODTURNING - GENERAL
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 2nd April 2015, 02:30 PM
  3. Newby, HSS, or carbide + tools
    By lather in forum METALWORK FORUM
    Replies: 112
    Last Post: 28th August 2010, 03:26 PM
  4. Old turning tools
    By davo453 in forum WOODTURNING - GENERAL
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 29th May 2006, 05:40 PM

Posting Permissions

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