AWGB Woodturning Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Vestas on April 08, 2019, 02:49:24 PM

Title: Turning tools availability
Post by: Vestas on April 08, 2019, 02:49:24 PM
Hi having just taken up turning I’m quickly realising what kit I need. I bought a set of RS turning tools but a bowl gouge wasn’t included.
I’m surprised to find there’s nowhere near me in Bristol that sells the tools! Considering there are shops for lots of other hobbies on every street - nothing !
Where can I get a gouge from ? I know yandles and Axminster an hour or more away - any other options ?
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: Twisted Trees on April 08, 2019, 04:00:12 PM
Axminster Cardiff is probably closest, but my preference for choice is Yandles as they tend to have more to pick through. Makes it worth the hour drive to get there, my preference is for Robert Sorby tools, which they stock. but there is nobody that has a range of woodturning  bits you can pick through

Ashley Isles used to have an outlet but pretty sure that is online only these days. 

May be worth picking your day depending on what is on... https://www.yandles.co.uk/events (https://www.yandles.co.uk/events) or you are stuck with the online option (won't be legal to buy chisels by post if the current legislation passes).
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: bodrighywood on April 08, 2019, 04:00:53 PM
Best bet is online. Just make sure you go fopr one of the reputable makes e.g. Sorby, Ashley Ilse, Hamlet, Crown etc. Pretty much all as good as one another thoiugh Record tend to have short handles. I buy them unhandles and make my own to suit. Alternativdely, if you know what you are buying there is a tool shop just up the road from the BRI that sells 2nd hand tools and I have seen wood turning tools in there, might be worth a look.

Pete
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: Twisted Trees on April 08, 2019, 06:24:49 PM
Bristol Design is the second hand and antique toolshop by the BRI, love the place but never yet seen woodturning gouges that had any length left in them  :( still always something interesting in there though.
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: The Bowler Hatted Turner on April 08, 2019, 08:16:58 PM
Axminster Cardiff is probably closest, but my preference for choice is Yandles as they tend to have more to pick through. Makes it worth the hour drive to get there, my preference is for Robert Sorby tools, which they stock. but there is nobody that has a range of woodturning  bits you can pick through

Ashley Isles used to have an outlet but pretty sure that is online only these days. 

May be worth picking your day depending on what is on... https://www.yandles.co.uk/events (https://www.yandles.co.uk/events) or you are stuck with the online option (won't be legal to buy chisels by post if the current legislation passes).
I have to question the comment about not being legal to buy woodturning tools by post, if you read through the legislation that is being suggested, and I have read every word of it, it will be illegal to buy them by post if you are under the age of 18. So those of us that are older should not be breaking the law.
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: The Bowler Hatted Turner on April 08, 2019, 08:19:39 PM
Vesta have you joined the Bristol woodturning club? I am sure some of there members (some of who visit this site regularly)will have good second hand ones to dispose of.
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: Vestas on April 08, 2019, 08:35:52 PM
Hi all
Many thanks for the replies.

My folks live two miles from Martock so I’m popping down to “visit” them tomorrow - and I might just happen to pop to Yandles  ;)
I will join the Bristol group def
Cheers all
Mike
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: Twisted Trees on April 08, 2019, 09:08:04 PM
Axminster Cardiff is probably closest, but my preference for choice is Yandles as they tend to have more to pick through. Makes it worth the hour drive to get there, my preference is for Robert Sorby tools, which they stock. but there is nobody that has a range of woodturning  bits you can pick through

Ashley Isles used to have an outlet but pretty sure that is online only these days. 

May be worth picking your day depending on what is on... https://www.yandles.co.uk/events (https://www.yandles.co.uk/events) or you are stuck with the online option (won't be legal to buy chisels by post if the current legislation passes).
I have to question the comment about not being legal to buy woodturning tools by post, if you read through the legislation that is being suggested, and I have read every word of it, it will be illegal to buy them by post if you are under the age of 18. So those of us that are older should not be breaking the law.

The trap is that businesses won't be able to post to residential addresses, and as a lot of us are hobby turners we want our tools sent to our homes. Though it is unlikely to get any parliament time for a while...

As I discussed with my MP, the chances of anyone spending £40 + on a bowl gouge to use as a weapon, when they can buy a screwdriver from poundland and sharpen it is rather a long stretch of credulity.

Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: The Bowler Hatted Turner on April 09, 2019, 09:10:01 AM
Axminster Cardiff is probably closest, but my preference for choice is Yandles as they tend to have more to pick through. Makes it worth the hour drive to get there, my preference is for Robert Sorby tools, which they stock. but there is nobody that has a range of woodturning  bits you can pick through

Ashley Isles used to have an outlet but pretty sure that is online only these days. 

May be worth picking your day depending on what is on... https://www.yandles.co.uk/events (https://www.yandles.co.uk/events) or you are stuck with the online option (won't be legal to buy chisels by post if the current legislation passes).
I have to question the comment about not being legal to buy woodturning tools by post, if you read through the legislation that is being suggested, and I have read every word of it, it will be illegal to buy them by post if you are under the age of 18. So those of us that are older should not be breaking the law.

The trap is that businesses won't be able to post to residential addresses, and as a lot of us are hobby turners we want our tools sent to our homes. Though it is unlikely to get any parliament time for a while...

As I discussed with my MP, the chances of anyone spending £40 + on a bowl gouge to use as a weapon, when they can buy a screwdriver from poundland and sharpen it is rather a long stretch of credulity.
Holding a bowl gouge by the handle will give you a better swing than a screwdriver for beating the MPs over the head with ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: Twisted Trees on April 09, 2019, 12:31:52 PM
Hi all
Many thanks for the replies.

My folks live two miles from Martock so I’m popping down to “visit” them tomorrow - and I might just happen to pop to Yandles  ;)
I will join the Bristol group def
Cheers all
Mike

Think your folks may be getting quite a few visits in the coming years!!!  Last Friday of the Month there is a late opening with a demo of something and some discounts. Try to restrict what you spend! sent one of the guys down to pick up some timber for the Journeyman course he got hooked on a machine and spent a fortune!  ;)
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: Martin Lawrence on April 09, 2019, 01:35:54 PM
 
  Martock has its own club, may be closer for you web address here :  https://www.awgb.co.uk/club-list/ 


  Cheers Martin.
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: willstewart on April 09, 2019, 06:50:06 PM
FWIW my Axminster stuff comes very quickly (2 days max) from online with std delivery.
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: Vestas on April 10, 2019, 08:04:12 PM
I visited Yandles (of course my folks were the main reason for travelling 🙈)
Lots spent !!
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: Twisted Trees on April 10, 2019, 09:07:36 PM
I visited Yandles (of course my folks were the main reason for travelling 🙈)
Lots spent !!

Yeah, happens to me every time, pop in for a washer, come out with a full bag and empty wallet  :o  :)
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: bodrighywood on April 10, 2019, 10:14:44 PM
Can't remember the last time I bought anything at Yandles.

Pete
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: hughie on April 11, 2019, 10:04:16 AM
If I am buying any English brands I tend to go for the Hamlet 2060 . They seem to hold their edge over  the others this is particularly important due the number of hardwood species I come across. But as said, stick to known reputable brands and you wont too far wrong.
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: Robin Goodman on April 19, 2019, 11:21:06 PM
Living near Bristol, your local club is Avon & Bristol Woodturners, who meet in Filton on the north side of the city on the 3rd Thursday of the month.  Next 3 meetings feature excellent demonstrators Gary Rance, Les Thorne and Mick Hanbury.  For details see website : http://www.avon-and-bristol-woodturners.org.uk/
Title: Re: Turning tools availability
Post by: The Bowler Hatted Turner on April 22, 2019, 09:22:51 AM
The last time I went to Yandles was last week to buy some wood for a demo over the Easter weekend. One of the most expensive trips I have ever had there as I blew a valve on the way home and it is going to cost mega bucks to get it fixed.