Chris, are you talking about the SS jig that is used with the disc sander, or the one used with the strip sander? I've heard pretty good things about the latter.ChrisNeilan wrote:If you want good advise on tool selection visit http://www.woodturnersresource.com. Friendly folk, like here, that are mainly lathe turners. I.m a member there as well. Not knocking Shopsmith lathe tools, I like some of them, but you will get a better selection of lathe gouges elsewhere. Carbide tools are fine for getting close to finished, but a good bowl gouge or scraper is much better. There is a learning curve to sharpening as well. The Shopsmith sanding jig is OK, but a sharpening station is really a must if you are doing any serious turning. Of all hobbies I have, woodturning is by far the most expensive! Quite a vortex.
First Lathe Chisel Purchase Advice
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BuckeyeDennis
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Re: First Lathe Chisel Purchase Advice
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ChrisNeilan
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Re: First Lathe Chisel Purchase Advice
I don't have the one for the strip sander. The one with the disk sander is OK, but barely in my opinion. I use a slow speed grinder (1700 rpms with CBN wheels) with the Wolverine system from Oneway. Can't be beat. I also have a Tormek, but seldom use it- great for skews and hand planes however.
Re: First Lathe Chisel Purchase Advice
I've not used the Oneway system but it does look great and easy and had given great thought about going that way to replace the disc based SS one I have. However I found a deal (1/2 price) on the Tormek T-7. Using the gouge jig (SVD-185) gives great results. I think bang for the buck (retail) the Wolverine system with a new grinder is significantly cheaper.ChrisNeilan wrote:I don't have the one for the strip sander. The one with the disk sander is OK, but barely in my opinion. I use a slow speed grinder (1700 rpms with CBN wheels) with the Wolverine system from Oneway. Can't be beat. I also have a Tormek, but seldom use it- great for skews and hand planes however.
Your comment about seldom using the Tormek got me to thinking about what a friend who has one said the same thing. He seldom used his because it was on a shelf. So he had to lug it off the shelf (heavy
), on to a bench, etc..... I placed mine on a moveable stand so it goes where I need it. I think that is one of the pluses of the Oneway system. Most people have their grinding wheel out or easily accessible and ready to use.Anyway, just another take on sharpening.
Be well,
Ben
Re: First Lathe Chisel Purchase Advice
I have a set of Shopsmith chisels from the 80's, a set of Craftsman chisels from the early 50's and a set of Rockwell chisels from the 60"s( I think). Out of those 3 yardsale sets, the Shopsmith seem to be the best and the oldest set, the Craftsman, seem to be the worse. I've started building a newer set one at a time with the Pinnacle brand( I'm up to two). The Pinnacle brand tools definitely stay sharper longer than the Shopsmith brand but the steel is newer and that's expected. They also come in a grater variety of profiles. I would recommend the Shosmith set as a good starter set, at least until you get past the stage of using the tools dull when you "think" the tools are sharp. Currently I'm sharpening my Shopsmith chisels 2x as often as the Pinnacle on the same piece of wood.
BTW: I sharpen with the Shop Smith strip sander on a 2nd shopsmith.
BTW: I sharpen with the Shop Smith strip sander on a 2nd shopsmith.
Paul B
Re: First Lathe Chisel Purchase Advice
Those chisels are probably carbon steel from that era. You can sharpen them sharper than HSS, but it doesn't last as long.moggymatt wrote:I have a set of Shopsmith chisels from the 80's, Currently I'm sharpening my Shopsmith chisels 2x as often as the Pinnacle on the same piece of wood.
SS 500(09/1980), DC3300, jointer, bandsaw, belt sander, Strip Sander, drum sanders,molder, dado, biscuit joiner, universal lathe tool rest, Oneway talon chuck, router bits & chucks and a De Walt 735 planer,a #5,#6, block planes. ALL in a 100 square foot shop.
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Bob
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Bob
Re: First Lathe Chisel Purchase Advice
Have you had a chance to check out any turning clubs yet? Overwhelmed by the variety of chisel choices!! 
If you have had a chance to see what is out there and have not made up your mind, I will now offer my "one size NEARLY fits all" chisel.
The Robert Sorby TurnMaster (either wooded or metal handle). The one tip handles carbide, HHS and tungsten coated steel cutters so you can choose the finish you want. The handles also have Sorby designed conventional chisels designed to fit, though they are pricey. But it is Robert Sorby so really decent quality
You can buy the wooden handled version with 3 carbide cutters (round, square and diamond) for less than $150. Additional cutters are usually less than $20. The HHS and tungsten coated have some GREAT design for bowl work and special cuts!!!
You won't have a HUGE chisel rack (aka status symbol) and you do need to change out cutters in the same fashion you would for the SS lathe duplicator (though you CAN buy extra tips / cutter holders to save change out time, but why?? 
)
Anyway, it you are still looking, search for the TurnMaster to see if it might fit your needs.
Why did I wait so long to post this??? Because I really wanted you to check out what was there first. Then you can see if this particular system fits your goals and budget. Sorby does have an EXPENSIVE boxed set but the basics can be had for $170 (all carbide cutters and a couple HSS cutters). If you want a nice smooth finish, you can opt for the tungsten coated cutters, but I've not bought any so I have no idea how difficult (or possibly easy ) it is to resharpen them.
I like my TurnMaster because it embraces the ShopSmith idea of one base tool into many options.
Be well,
Ben
If you have had a chance to see what is out there and have not made up your mind, I will now offer my "one size NEARLY fits all" chisel.
The Robert Sorby TurnMaster (either wooded or metal handle). The one tip handles carbide, HHS and tungsten coated steel cutters so you can choose the finish you want. The handles also have Sorby designed conventional chisels designed to fit, though they are pricey. But it is Robert Sorby so really decent quality
You can buy the wooden handled version with 3 carbide cutters (round, square and diamond) for less than $150. Additional cutters are usually less than $20. The HHS and tungsten coated have some GREAT design for bowl work and special cuts!!!
You won't have a HUGE chisel rack
(aka status symbol) and you do need to change out cutters in the same fashion you would for the SS lathe duplicator (though you CAN buy extra tips / cutter holders to save change out time, but why?? )Anyway, it you are still looking, search for the TurnMaster to see if it might fit your needs.
Why did I wait so long to post this??? Because I really wanted you to check out what was there first. Then you can see if this particular system fits your goals and budget. Sorby does have an EXPENSIVE boxed set but the basics can be had for $170 (all carbide cutters and a couple HSS cutters). If you want a nice smooth finish, you can opt for the tungsten coated cutters, but I've not bought any so I have no idea how difficult (or possibly easy ) it is to resharpen them.
I like my TurnMaster because it embraces the ShopSmith idea of one base tool into many options.
Be well,
Ben
Re: First Lathe Chisel Purchase Advice
Kinda got here late. I wish I had some of the money I wasted on sharpening systems that were less than optimum.
I now use the Rikon low speed grinder and the Oneway Wolverine system. In my mind the most user friendly system around.The Rikon can be had for $99 when on sale and the Wolverine system seems to be the most repeatable.
I don't like the lathe mounted systems because you have to remove the turning in order to mount the sharpening system.
I have switched to the Sorby Sovereign system as has Benush26. I also have the bowl turning SS set that I got many years ago and removed the cutters from the wooden handles because the cutters fit the sovereign system.
I converted the two Shopsmith bowl hollowers to the Ellsworth grind and they work super.
I also like the heavier weight of the Sorby handle because I feel it gives more control.
If you want to learn how to sharpen go to Harbor Freight and get one of their cheap lathe turning sets. Don't try to learn by grinding away a lot of expensive HSS.
The Sorby carbide holder permits the turner to tilt the carbide cutter either left or right to obtain a shear/scrape type of cut and the bottom of the holder is flat to sit on the tool rest better.
The Benjamin's Best from PSI were rated as HSS by the AAW in one of their tests. But be warned that there two two types of Benjamin's Best. The AAW tested sets from PSI and a set from E-Bay or Amazon and the set from PSI did test as HSS but the E-Bay/Amazon set did not make the grade as HSS.
So be careful.
I have a couple of the Ben Best tools and I find the flat sided parting tool to be a very good performer
I will try to think of more things to tell you so stay tuned.
And definitely find a turning club.
Bill V
I now use the Rikon low speed grinder and the Oneway Wolverine system. In my mind the most user friendly system around.The Rikon can be had for $99 when on sale and the Wolverine system seems to be the most repeatable.
I don't like the lathe mounted systems because you have to remove the turning in order to mount the sharpening system.
I have switched to the Sorby Sovereign system as has Benush26. I also have the bowl turning SS set that I got many years ago and removed the cutters from the wooden handles because the cutters fit the sovereign system.
I converted the two Shopsmith bowl hollowers to the Ellsworth grind and they work super.
I also like the heavier weight of the Sorby handle because I feel it gives more control.
If you want to learn how to sharpen go to Harbor Freight and get one of their cheap lathe turning sets. Don't try to learn by grinding away a lot of expensive HSS.
The Sorby carbide holder permits the turner to tilt the carbide cutter either left or right to obtain a shear/scrape type of cut and the bottom of the holder is flat to sit on the tool rest better.
The Benjamin's Best from PSI were rated as HSS by the AAW in one of their tests. But be warned that there two two types of Benjamin's Best. The AAW tested sets from PSI and a set from E-Bay or Amazon and the set from PSI did test as HSS but the E-Bay/Amazon set did not make the grade as HSS.
So be careful.
I have a couple of the Ben Best tools and I find the flat sided parting tool to be a very good performer
I will try to think of more things to tell you so stay tuned.
And definitely find a turning club.
Bill V