Thread: usefull tools for turning

I picked up a new/old lathe and some tools a few weeks ago and the chap threw in a set of mini henry taylor tools. I find having them at hand usefull, just a cut here and scrape there but they do get used and my work is probobly a bit neater for it. I also found a "woodcut" hollowing tool in amongst the lot it had a broken cutter but a replacement is on its way.
Not something I'd buy on its own.. but you never know, the more I look at it the more I think I'll use it.

the tool i use for recesses is a cheap parting tool ground at an angle.. probobly not the best, but it works.

For miniatures and other fine details, dental picks are handy. Almost impossible to catch because so slight a cut. Grind to whatever shape suits you - but very light touch on the grinder, or temper goes that-a-way. I haven't made a teeny tiny skew (yet).

JG

Before I even got my el-cheapo set of little used chisels, the only tool I had was one I made from a lenghth of 1/2" rod with a 1/4" hole up the end into which I grubscrewed the stub of a HSS 1/4" drill bit, shaped like a round-nose scraper or 'toothpick cutter. Still use it regularly for all sorts of jobs - rapid removal in tight areas, shear scraping tight curves, hollowing small items etc, etc, - would be completely lost with out it!

• A bull-nosed scraper. Basically a very rounded round-nose scraper, 'cept the grind continues up the LH side for an inch or so.
• A tri-point tool. Basically just an old screwdriver with the head ground off and replaced with 3 flats coming to a point like a pyramid or sharp end of a nail. Can be used for scraping or cutting... and when one edge is blunt, just roll it over and use one of the other two.
• A ply template, cut to a spanner shape with a 45mm opening. Used when creating stub tenons for mounting in the chuck, saves mucking around with verniers.
• A piece of picture hanging wire with 240V screw connectors at each end, to make a garrote. Good for burning in detail lines... IMHO better than the edge of s/paper.
• A set-square made from 35 x 19mm pine, with another piece offset @ 45°. Used for finding the centres of logs. Just scribe the 45°, move it around 45° and scribe again. The intersection is close enough to centre as to make no real difference.

This may be of interest:

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ghlight=making

TTIT

Any chance of a photo of your tool. (the one you made)

regards

Gino

Originally Posted by Gino

TTIT

Any chance of a photo of your tool. (the one you made)

regards

Gino

Happy to oblige Gino. I put a detail point on the other end of the original cutter but don't bother anymore 'cos I never used it. Upgraded to 1/4" HSS from McJings a while back - seems to be better quality than drill butts!

Why the spline shaft I hear them ask?! - it was the only bit of rod on hand at the time. Has never been a problem - the bottom side is worn smooth from use so it doesn't drag on the toolrest.

ONE DAY I'm gonna make a better handle for it - or so I keep sayin'!

The garrote mentioned by Skew works with any kind of wire. I use 0.020" (abt 0.5mm) stainless steel wire attached to two wood dowels for handles. Gives very fine detail. SS wire available at fishing tackle shops more than "hardware" stores. For one-off experiments, just hold the ends of the wire with vise-grip pliers. Larger-size copper or aluminum/aluminium wire, e.g. 12 ga, conducts heat rapidly, so handle gingerly. Bring the taut wire to the wood perpendicular to the wood surface (e.g. non-cylinders), or it will skid to where it wants to be.

JG

Definately No 1 "A Lathe"

Back when i did lots turning I made
-a set of minature turning tools out of hardend nails and other tool steel
-an simple expanding dovetail collet chuck and matching dovetail scraper
- adjsutable angle long hollowing tool with removeable HSS insert tip
- morse taper live centre
-morse taper drive centre for ball turning and matching tailstock live centre
-some alloy cones for tube turning but never finished it.
- a couple of other smallish turning tools out of old valve stems which hold an exceptional edge.
- and a pin chuck and a faceplate

Thats about all I can think of at the moment. (Yes i did have acces to a lathe and mill at the time)

mainly do turning for funriture now

Regards

Thanks TTIT.

looks well made and good photo.

thanks for sharing that with us.

regards

Gino