Chisels

[Bodgit & Sons]

I am looking for a beginners set of all round chisels. Would i be wasting my time by buying a set of the Perform HSS chisels from Axminster.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Perf ... -21761.htm

How much difference would i find from this set compared to some from sorby/record/crown etc. Is the £30/40 pounds difference really worth it?

Thanks for your help.
Dave

 

[Aled Dafis]

I started with the Robert Sorby 67HS starter set, which consists of good quality tools that you'll actually use. In fact these were the only tools I owned for a good while when I started, and I managed to turn bowls, goblets, spindles etc. just with this set.

I'd definately go for the Sorby set, you'll not be dissapointed, even though they cost a little more than the Perform.

Cheers

Aled

 

[Vulthoom]

I have the Sorby set too and they've been brilliant.

 

[wizer]

Absolutely nothing wrong with those Perform chisels. I have one and have used the rest at club. They work fine. Perfect for the beginner.

 

[cornucopia]

I've used the set of perform chisel's at one of my customer's workshops (they wanted to start woodturning after seeing my work and bought a perform lathe and the chisel's and a k10 chuck, then asked me to help out with a basic lesson-well and trully helped onto the slope!!)- the bowl and spindle gouge are rubbish and wont take a good shape, we binned them and bought better quality replacements.

 

[Paul.J]

Take a look Here

 

[mikec]

Another vote for the Sorby set. Although I have acquired a number of other chisels and made some I still use the Sorby set regularly. Good chisels and great quality.

Regards,

Mike C

 

[duncanh]

I agree that the bowl gouge in the Perform set us useless as a bowl gouge as the flute is not really deep enough. Mine's ground for spindle work but I rarely use it.
The spindle gouge is passable.
I'd say avoid.


In general most people suggest not buying a beginners set, and that it's best to buy individual tools depending on what you want to focus on - faceplate/bowl work or spindles.

 

[Aled Dafis]

In general most people suggest not buying a beginners set, and that it's best to buy individual tools depending on what you want to focus on - faceplate/bowl work or spindles.

Generally I'd agree, but in this specific case, the Sorby beginners set actually contains exactly the tools you need to start out in woodturning, as anybody starting out will probably want to have a go at most aspects (bolws, boxes, spindles etc.) before concentrating on a specific area. The slope will have been nicely greased by then, so you can advance to bigger lathes , elelctronic variable speed, bigger gouges, hollowing tools, vac chucks etc. etc. :wink: :wink:

Cheers

Aled

 

[Bodrighy]

If you are just starting out I would advise buying just a few decent quality tools. Check on E bay for Sorby, Record, Taylor Ashley, Crown tools. You need a bowl gouge, spindle gouge, parting tool and (if you feel adventurous) a skew. Get medium sizes, about 3/8th to 1/2" tools. You can do anything to start with these. Cheap tools are likely to put you off. If possible get someone who knows to check the grind on them and if necessary get them reground to a sensible profile, some can be a bit odd. Make sure that they have a decent length on them of they are 2nd hand. New, the tools will set you back about £75 - £100 but you can pick up bargains cheaper. Un named tools are usually naff so don't bother. The Perform, I have no experience of but the feedback isn't good.

Pete

 

[cambournepete]

I started with a 6 tool set from Ashley Iles as recommended to me by Reg Slack.
The tools are still going strong and the ones I use most often.

 

[Gitface]

Hi Dave

I notice that your are just up the road from Sheffield, you could try this guy Sheffield Woodturning.

I started with a cheap set and while it got me going I did find the tools a bit naff. As I've got more experienced, the main problem with these tools was the grind.

Anyway I wanted to get a bowl gouge so popped over to this guys shop, had a good chat with him and he showed me how to shapen the gouge and gave me some tips.

Best advice is buy the tools you need and not bother with a set.

Mark........

 

[Blister]

my first choice is Henry Taylor
Sorby
Ashley Isles
Crown

Then all the others

:ho2 :deer :ho2

 

[NickWelford]

You need a bowl gouge, spindle gouge, parting tool and (if you feel adventurous) a skew. Pete

I think a skew is mandatory - I wouldn't be without mine. Don't know how you would manage without one. Nothing better for beads.

 

[Bodrighy]

You need a bowl gouge, spindle gouge, parting tool and (if you feel adventurous) a skew. Pete

I think a skew is mandatory - I wouldn't be without mine. Don't know how you would manage without one. Nothing better for beads.

I use mine a lot as well but someone who is just starting can scare the life out of themselves if they don't get it right. I ignored mine for the first 2 years until a pro showed me how to use it properly.

pete

 

[wizer]

I agree, there's no point in owning a skew until you can get someone to show or teach you to use one. I'm still reluctant to use mine. Mainly because, even tho I'm getting better with it, a catch often ruin's a piece.

 

[Aled Dafis]

You need a bowl gouge, spindle gouge, parting tool and (if you feel adventurous) a skew. Pete

I think a skew is mandatory - I wouldn't be without mine. Don't know how you would manage without one. Nothing better for beads.

I use mine a lot as well but someone who is just starting can scare the life out of themselves if they don't get it right. I ignored mine for the first 2 years until a pro showed me how to use it properly.

pete

The best advice I got was to only ever use the bottom 1/8" of the cutting edge*.

Failing the previous advice of getting a pro to show you properly, my advice would be to buy a length of 2x2, cut it into 12" lengths, and go for it. Mastering the skew was truly a lightbulb moment for me. Yes, you'll get the odd catch, but if you're not making mistakes, you're not learning.

Cheers

Aled

* This advice is for beginners, more advanced users often use other areas of the cutting edge with great success, but that's only after they tame the skew in the first instance.

 

[Blister]

Mike Darlow does a DVD the taming of the skew

Be afraid no more :lol:

:ho2 :deer :ho2

 

[Bodgit & Sons]

thanks for all the tips. It looks like i will be buying the sorby chisels. It would also appear that i need to be wary of the dreaded skew :shock: .