First Lathe Chisel Purchase Advice

[reubenjames]

So, out of the 5 uses of the Mark V, the one I've never actually used is the lathe. The primary reason for that, other than not having spent the time to learn some technique, is the fact that my used Mark V's didn't come with any lathe chisels. Truth be told, there were two that came with one of them, but they were pretty far down the destroyed path and they are packed away somewhere.

I would like to delve into this area, if for no other reason than it is holding me back from doing some projects that I would like to do.

Seeking some good advice for a first time chisel purchase. Is the basic ShopSmith 5 chisel set a good first choice? Those are HSS, correct? Is the chisel advice same as the saw advice, i.e. go carbide? Or is it different in this case due to the frequency of needing to sharpen and the ease of sharpening HSS chisels? Are the Easy Wood Tools carbide cutters a better option? Or is there another brand I should be gravitating toward?

I know, like everything, much will depend on my personal intended use and my price point, but fielding some sound advice from turners will help me to assess my own needs a bit more, I think.

Thanks in advance!

[reible]

It is likely that you could find a set of shopsmith tools on ebay at about half the cost of new and if you shopped for a while you might find some that are new. The only issue is that there are older tools that were current during the time they were sold but a little dated steel wise with what today's are. I did turning but not a lot of it, just what you needed to do to make projects that required turning. I had turning in HS shop so it wasn't new to me but also it was just enough to get along.

When I got more interested then it also got more expensive. I wanted a chuck, so there goes $150.... but that was nothing so to speak. So it is another slippery road if you start getting hooked. No reason to start there.

Look for a set of shopsmith tools and see how you like turning. At the very least you will need to spend some more money on ways of sharpening the tools, grinder, strip sander, AL oxide sandpaper what ever you will need to do that and find a why that works for you. What ever way you pick you will likely out grow it and spend more money for a better system but again why do that now when you might not find turning is for you.

BTW sharpening happens when you get the tools from shopsmith as they are not ready to use from the store. That is were tools like easywood tools make it nice as they are ready to use out of the tube, but at a cost.

I want to set down and see how much I've spent on lathe supplies the last few years, well I do and I don't. I'm guess that $1000 to $1200 is not out of the question and I often under estimate how much I spend..... so it is another steep slope so watch yourself.

Ed

[oldiron]

JMO, I would start with looking for a used set of shopsmith chisels and if you don't have a faceplate or spur drive, look for a used one and do some practice work to see if you like it.

Check eBay along with craigslist for some good equipment at a substantial savings and see how it goes.

Mike

[benush26]

May I offer a differing advise? Don't buy any. Atleast for now.

First find a turners club and visit. You can see the various types of chisels. HSS, alloys, carbides. Ask what it takes to become proficient with each. Then you will have an idea of what you may and may not want to play at.

If all you are going to turn is pens and that ilk, there are many sets both carbide and HSS avaiable MUCH cheaper than their larger counter parts. Larger pieces generally require larger chisels with larger price tags.

If you don't want to invest time and lots of money sharpening, then carbide is your best buddy. There are great results from carbide plus a couple decent books how to get the best from them.

I use both. Carbide when I don't care so much about the finish or I am willing to spend the time sanding. Steel, HSS and hardened alloys, when I am feeling adventurous.

Check out the clubs so you can make a better informed decision.

Just my 2 cents.

Be well,
Ben

[lyall]

hear in a site for your locate wood turning club close to Cedar Rapids

http://www.corridorturners.org/

[masonsailor2]

I think Ben has good advice. A good turning club can definitely help. As far as the chisels go you just have to decide what you can spend. If you spend a lot then you will get better steel but that just means you will be sharpening less and that is not a big deal if you are set up right. Shopsmith chisels are always getting a bad rap. I have all the ones that have the good steel such as Sorby and Record Power but my go to chisels are my trusty SS chisels which I learned to turn with 40 years ago. They work well and give great results. All my chisels go through a changeling process periodically as I get bored and turn new handles. One thing about Shopsmith chisels is the have short handles so turning longer ones is a great first turning project. The prime directive of turning is to have razor sharp chisels. Anything less will frustrate you to madness. Set up a good sharpening system and learn to use it. Again you can spend a lot of a little but you don't have to spend a lot. I do all my sharpening on a SS belt sander and the results are perfect. But a grinder or belt sander from Harbor Freight will also work fine for very little money. The one thing I don't recommend is using your SS for sharpening if you only have one SS. If that is the case invest in a grinder or belt sander and make a jig for it. You will be sharpening a lot and if you have to do a set up change on the SS every time to sharpen your chisels you get frustrated. You can build a very good sharpening station for less than $50.
Hope this helps
Paul

[ChrisNeilan]

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.

[tomsalwasser]

Alec, I am a novice turner myself. It's harder than it looks. The learning curve is steep. My local Woodcraft store offers beginning woodturning classes. Two different instructors and approaches. One instructor does not allow carbide tools. The other one uses only carbide tools. I talked to the carbide guy. He said he loves turning, hates sharpening. It's been my experience that before you begin to turn, you need to be equipped and know how to sharpen. Your tools will dull quickly. You need to know how to sharpen the very first day. Turning is no fun, even frightening and dangerous, with dull tools. A DVD I recommend is Turning Wood by Richard Raffan. He starts his DVD and book of the same title with sharpening. The carbide instructor at Woodcraft also told me he tries to turn wood for at least 2 hours every day. I think that's what it takes to get really good at it this very deep, complex, fascinating and fun craft.

[tomsalwasser]

I do all my sharpening on a SS belt sander and the results are perfect. Paul

Paul, I've seen some of your turning work here and it's excellent. I am a proud owner of a new (to me) SS belt sander. Please consider providing a tutorial (or video!) on your sharpening methods. Thank you!

Tom

[tomsalwasser]

Seeking some good advice for a first time chisel purchase.

This very question was posed to the Peachtree turning expert at the recent Woodworking Show in St Paul. This is what he recommended. He said he uses it for 90% of his turning, not just hollowing.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00648 ... 1944687622

It's $116 at the show, $129 at Amazon