Types of Turning tool...

[deejaymobile]

Hi all,

I'm a long'ish term lurker and have finally registered with UKWorkshop.

After much deliberation I have taken the plunge and bought a lathe, this one to be precise: "Jet JWL-1220 Woodturning Lathe". Axminster even price matched it for me too [£349 on Ockenden-Timber]. It needed to be fairly compact, as this needs to be set-up in a one bedroom flat in London! I'm mainly interested in starting small and simple and then building up my knowledge and ability.

My main issue now is tools. I have read many posts on here and the beginners guides all advocating the Robert Sorby 6pce HSS tool set. it looks great and is just about within my left over budget. Would there be any advantage / disadvantage in going for the Robert Sorby Sovereign tools instead? Is this set mainly used for bowls and deep vase turning type stuff?

Now obviously for the 6pce set I would need to invest in a bench grinder and some Ruby Red grinding wheels plus a jig to sharpen, would I need this with the Sovereign set too?

Sorry if these questions have previously been answered, but I did search the forum and couldn't seem to find anything that answered my questions.

Any help or advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Dave.

 

[boysie39]

Welcome to the forum Dave . A one room flat would not be the ideal place for working a wood lathe . Dust is going to be a big problem unless you have a very good extraction system . I wish you all but take great care .

 

[chipmunk]

Hi Dave,
I'd hold off buying the Sovereign System and get used to your conventional tools.

If you've not already seen it I'd take a look at this thread...
https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/turning-tool-set-for-a-beginner-t27236.html

Don't forget you can also buy unhandled tools from Sorby (expensive), Crown (cheap and cheerful) and Ashley Iles (probably the best) and make your own handles for them (half of 22mm end-feed Yorkshire pipe fittings work well as ferrules) if you have a roughing gouge and a parting tool.

So buy these two handled tools first and bootstrap your tool collection while practising turning! Ash is pretty cheap and makes the best handles IMHO - it also means you can choose the size of handle that works best for you and you won't be afraid to change the handles if they're too long or too short. For a WIP see here...
https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/post790422.html?hilit=handles#p790422

Dust extraction and a dust helmet like an Trend Airshield or Powercap are much more important than hollowing tools IMHO.

HTH
Jon

 

[deejaymobile]

Thanks boysie39, It is a one bedroom flat not a one room flat. It does have a utility room which is where I was thinking of setting up the lathe.

Thanks chipmunk, I'll hold off on the Sorby Sovereign system then. I've watched so many videos online and seen almost no one with a respirator and so very few with dust extraction being used, I had no idea this was such a big issue! I really hope this doesn't throw a spanner in the works...

 

[deejaymobile]

Sorry guys...

I've got my tool names all mixed up here... I meant the "Robert Sorby Turnmaster" set of tools. They appear to be small tips that you attach to the top of a universal handle. This is the stuff I really like the look of.

Would these be a good alternative to the Robert Sorby 6pce HSS set?

Sorry for the confusion!!!

 

[chipmunk]

Dave,
My comments would apply to the Turnmaster tools too.

Hold off buying them. Multi-tip scrapers are very easy tools to make yourself.
Jon

 

[deejaymobile]

Chipmunk, thanks very much indeed!

 

[Harry 48]

Hi Dave I would stay with standard tools to start with. Woodturners have been looking for a wonder tool that will do every thing for a long time it does not exist. the turnmaster and carbide cutters cut at the centreline of the wood giving more of a scraping cut which IMHO is not as good as a slicing cut

 

[CHJ]

One big disadvantage of the collet type tool tip attachment tools is the bulk of the collet nut so near the tip, for smaller work where the detail ability of some of the tips is a bonus, the restriction on access and vision caused by the bulk is not helpful.
As said simple home made slimmer shanked tipped tools are easy to make and can be picked up instantly where changing a tip holder, although not a major task may be just enough for you not to bother and press on with less than optimal tooling.

 

[Spindle]

Hi

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Sorby six tool starter set - it represents a large saving over buying the tools individually and is considerably cheaper than other 'quality' sets.

Buying unhandled tools will only save you about £6 each, (Sorby or Ashley Isles), and you loose the 'set discount'.

I bought the Sorby set when I started turning and they are still my six most frequently used tools.

I'd suggest you learn the basics then make yourself a couple of carbide tipped scrapers.

Dust is going to be you biggest headache - a small extractor with the hose as close as possible to the work will be your best bet. Hopefully it will not be so noisy as to disturb your neighbours. I'd wear some form of face mask too.

Regards Mick

 

[Dalboy]

I also would say get the Sorby 6 chisel set I have it and have used all of them in the box. Fortunately I did not pay for mine as I won them in a turning competition at Ali Pally the last year it was held.
Once you have the set you can always buy individual chisels as you need them.

 

[deejaymobile]

Interesting... So no votes for the Turnmaster at all then.

I guess it is the 6pce set and all the extra sharpening kit that goes with it then...

 

[chipmunk]

Hi Mick,
It's also worth pointing out that to get the most out of the "set discount" you do have to use all of the tools and, although you may have been lucky, I would tend to agree with Peter Hemsley about tool sets....

http://www.toolpost.co.uk/pages/Turning_Tools/Turning_Sets/turning_sets.html

...but if you must, then the Toolpost Journeyman set is probably pretty good. In its favout it has no compromise tools such as the 1/2" round scraper and the little parting tool of the Sorby set. On the bright side at least Sorby have dropped that oval skew in favour of a rolled edge one.

HTH
Jon

 

[Spindle]

Hi

At the end of the day the Turnmaster is just another multi tipped scraper - my advice would be to learn to use 'cutting' tools, gouges, parting tools and skews first. Scrapers are useful when deep hollowing or dealing with unruly grain in bowls but can't take the place of the cutting tools for other work.

Regards Mick

 

[Spindle]

Hi Jon

Seems the Toolpost in your link recommend the Sorby set too

Regards Mick

 

[deejaymobile]

So Jon,

You are suggesting getting just a Roughing Gouge and a Parting tool? Would I need anything else tool wise to make a pen or letter opener type projects [the typical starter projects]? Also is what sizes would you suggest? I did look at the inter forum links you sent and so many people seem to be suggesting 6pce sets. My main issue with this is when I add in a grinder, different wheels, maybe also some kind of jig, I'm really racking up the price and shooting miles through my available budget. Especially if I'm buying tools I'm not going to be using for ages if ever [Been there and done that with wood carving!].

Hence the reason i was going with the Turnmaster tools. No need to sharpen and not going to end up with a load of tools I don't really need right now. I'll have another read through my "Keith Rowley - Foundation course..." tonight and see if I can get my head around all of this new knowledge.

Going to a local club would be helpful, but being in South London there don't seem to be many if any that are anywhere near me.

Cheers,

Dave.

 

[Spindle]

Hi

The most basic of sharpening set ups is a faceplate with a disc of MDF screwed to it with an abrasive disc stuck on. Spun on the lathe using the tool rest as a grinding rest.

Basic but it works and allows time to save up for what ever sharpening system floats your boat.

Regards Mick

 

[deejaymobile]

Yes, fair point Mick. If I just get a couple of tools, then I could get the sharpening kit too... Decisions decisions...

 

[chipmunk]

Hi Dave,
Well you pays your money and takes your choice and it may not be as cheap as buying a set but this way the tools will be useful and you'll get some practice at using them too along the way...

At Toolpost prices (other outlets particularly selling Crown unhandled tools may be cheaper) a Crown 3/4" Roughing Gouge (~£32) and a Crown 3/8" beading/parting tool (~£22) both with handles will allow you to turn a handle for an unhandled 3/8" spindle gouge (Sorby ~£16) if you also buy a 50mm x 300mm ash spindle turning square (~£2) with a 22mm Yorkshire end-feed pipe fitting (~50p from B&Q or other DIY shed). With these three tools you can tackle almost any spindle turning. The B/P tool can be used as a skew as well.

Then if you're feeling flush perhaps add either a 3/4" unhandled rolled edge skew (Henry Taylor ~£25 or Crown cheaper) and another ash spindle turning square to go with it, or perhaps a 1/16" narrow parting tool (Crown ~£19) or a 3/8" bowl gouge (unhandled of course - Sorby ~£30 or Crown cheaper) will give you a set of quality tools.

If you're looking for a club near you did you check here?...
http://www.woodturners.co.uk/branches.php
or here...http://www.woodturners.co.uk/associates.php

HTH
Jon

 

[Silverbirch]

You don't have to buy an additional ruby grinding wheel. Choose a grinder which comes with a white wheel as standard e.g.Record Power, make up a grinding platform as in your Keith Rowley book and you're good to go.

Ian