Tools for Starting Woodturning

[John D Smith]

 I have received an email from Axminster Power Tools suggesting "Our Four Must Have Tools to get Started" when you buy a Lathe

1. Roughing Gouge,(where is the correct title SPINDLE Roughing Gouge) 

2. Spindle Gouge.

3. Diamond Parting Tool.

4. Oval Skew  Surely not for beginners

 I would like to hear the views of forum Members on the Choice and Maybe Axminsters point of view

                                                     Regards John                                       

[GBF]

10mm Bowl Gouge (Long handle)
10mm spindle Gouge
3/4 Spindle roughing Gouge
3/4 Rolled edge Skew
Diamond Parting tool
Shear Scraper

All from Crown hand tools
Worth paying the bit extra and getting Cryogenic

Ring Mark Sanger for a quote or by PM from this forum

Regards George

[fuzzyturns]

I'll second George on his choice, except I would go for a slightly bigger bowl gouge (1/2"). And yes, the cryogenic stuff is worth the extra money.

[GBF]

I always used a 1/2" bowl gouge for years but now it is very rare for me to use it most of the time now I use the 10mm and find it does everything I want .
I think the 10mm is more sensitive to use but if I am roughing out a lot of bowls the 1/2" is better

Regards George

[Eric Harvey]

Hi John,I agree Spindle roughing gauge,people seem to forget the correct term for it these days and a very useful tool,where if you are doing straight spindle work,the finnish you get off of these  can be marvelous,and you can go straight to 320 grit abrasive,the spindle gauge another great tool if sharpened correctly for doing detail work as well as general spindle work,the 1 1/8" oval skew where it is so thin can be a monster at times,I wouldn`t recommend it as a starter tool,again with this tool its all in the sharpening,get that right and its lovely to use when razor sharp off an oilstone,I think I`d go with a 3/8"10 mm round skew as they are more forgiving for the starter/novice turner and lastly I`d go for a thin parting tool like the Ashley Iles or the Sorby fluted ones,I`d chuck in a 3/8 10 mm bowl gauge to,cheers,

Eric.

[Bryan Milham]

All from Crown hand tools
Worth paying the bit extra and getting Cryogenic

Not sure I'd agree with this George. You need the right wheel to grind these successfully and a beginner is unlikely to have one.

[edbanger]

The Robert Sorby 67HS box set is all that's need for a starter kit

3/4 spindle roughing gouge
3/8 spindle gouge
3/8 bowl gouge
3/4 skew
1/8 parting tool
1/2 round scraper

Other manufactures do similar box sets they offer good value for money by and large with the Sorby you are getting two tools free if you were to work out the individual prices.

Ed

[GBF]

The Robert Sorby 67HS box set is all that's need for a starter kit

3/4 spindle roughing gouge
3/8 spindle gouge
3/8 bowl gouge
3/4 skew
1/8 parting tool
1/2 round scraper

Other manufactures do similar box sets they offer good value for money by and large with the Sorby you are getting two tools free if
you were to work out the individual prices.

Ed

Then you would need a square scraper so it is not a complete set

Regards George

[edbanger]

Who said anything about a complete set George the post was about a starting woodturning

Ed

[GBF]

So you don't think a square scraper is necessary as a complete starter set 

Regards George

[Paul Hannaby]

If you have a skew and a parting tool, either of these could be used in place of a square scraper for most uses.

[GBF]

With all due respect Paul I think it is a bit irresponsible to suggest that a Skew chisel could be used instead of a square scraper and how a parting tool could take the place of a square scraper is a mystery to me.
A square scraper would be used on the outside of a bowl as a refining tool and a novice should never be encouraged to put a skew chisel any where near a bowl.

Regards George

[Paul Hannaby]

When you think about it, there is no difference between a skew and a negative rake scraper, apart from perhaps a longer bevel. The same applies to a parting tool, it's a straight cutting edge. Whether it's a scraper or not is just how you apply it to the wood.

[edbanger]

Hi George

In answer to your question I don't think that a scraper is needed at all in a starter set.

I very rarely use scrapers myself.

All the best

Ed

[GBF]

A scraper with a freshly made burr will take off far finer shavings than a gouge every time.A lot of turners just don't know how to use one so they say they don't need to use one where as if they were to learn how to use it they would find a scraper is one of the best turning tools in the box.
A scraper should be producing very fine shavings if you are getting dust and tear out you are using it wrong.
I don't care how clever a turner somebody is they will not take off shavings as fine with a gouge as you will with a scraper.

Regards George