Shopsmith Forums

JPG wrote:A simplistic question regarding a complex decision.

What makes you think any of the steel is of USA origin?

None actually. It would be nice for a company I support with my dollars to support workers in the USA if at all possible.

wmkrahling wrote:

JPG wrote:A simplistic question regarding a complex decision.

What makes you think any of the steel is of USA origin?

None actually. It would be nice for a company I support with my dollars to support workers in the USA if at all possible.

Unfortunately it is getting harder than it used to be.

I agree it is a good policy.

But we have priced our selves out of the process. 'We' as in U. S. industry(what is left of it!).

If you are really just starting out turning then the shopsmith set of tools is a good starting place. They are not the quality of some tools but then the price is not anywhere as high either.

Keep in mind that the tools are a starting point but you will need to sharpen them. Shopsmith sells several solutions and you can roll your own but which ever way you go this is something you will have to deal with when the tools arrive. Almost all the tools come sharpened but not use-ably so, so unless they tell you they are ready for use expect to have to sharpen them when they arrive.

Starting out with the basics and keeping the cost down is a good idea until you decide if you like turning. If you find its something you want to pursue then start thinking about better tools and attachments.

There are also things like faceplates, chucks, live centers and other needs that will arise so if you hope to just buy a few tools and be done think again. Yes you will have a few of the parts that came with the shopsmith but depending on what you expect to turn these might soon need to be upgraded or new equipment added.

As far as USA, yes desirable but you will find a limited amount of items to choice from. And with the way the rules are to qualify for "Made in the USA" doesn't mean all that much anymore.

Ed

Personally I wouldn’t buy anything but Thompson’s. His tools are excellent. I prefer to make my own handles but he does also offer a handle system. His steel holds a better edge than anything I have tried. The carbide tools have their purposes but keep in mind you are primarily scraping and not cutting with carbide tools so they have their limitations. I still have and use SS chisels though on a regular basis. I have made better handles for them but they do very well. They definitely require going to the sharpener more often than the Thompson chisels I have but they have served me very well for years.
Paul

reible wrote:If you are really just starting out turning then the shopsmith set of tools is a good starting place. They are not the quality of some tools but then the price is not anywhere as high either.

Keep in mind that the tools are a starting point but you will need to sharpen them. Shopsmith sells several solutions and you can roll your own but which ever way you go this is something you will have to deal with when the tools arrive. Almost all the tools come sharpened but not use-ably so, so unless they tell you they are ready for use expect to have to sharpen them when they arrive.

Starting out with the basics and keeping the cost down is a good idea until you decide if you like turning. If you find its something you want to pursue then start thinking about better tools and attachments.

There are also things like faceplates, chucks, live centers and other needs that will arise so if you hope to just buy a few tools and be done think again. Yes you will have a few of the parts that came with the shopsmith but depending on what you expect to turn these might soon need to be upgraded or new equipment added.

As far as USA, yes desirable but you will find a limited amount of items to choice from. And with the way the rules are to qualify for "Made in the USA" doesn't mean all that much anymore.

Ed

Good advice. My main problem is just jumping in to start turning. Starting with the tools I got with the Shopsmith is probably the best thing I could do. I have made my way full circle. I just need to start.


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You will need to sharpen any tools that you use. The Shopsmith tools are ok but they will get dull if they are not already. Dull tools will cause you to get discouraged because of poor performance.
I use a Rikon 8" 1/2 horsepower grinder that goes on sale at Woodcraft or Rockler for $99.00 on occasion coupled with the Wolverine grinding jig from Oneway manufacturing of Canada.https://oneway.ca/products-category
This is a combination used by many turners. The only reason that I mention this is to try to save you money by not buying the wrong stuff. I wish I had the money back that I spent on sharpening systems that did not perform adequately.
The American Association of Woodturners has a beginners section that has a lot of info for new turners. https://www.woodturner.org/default.aspx
Good luck
Bill V

Been turning on my Shopsmith for more than 40 years. For 30 of those years I used standard lathe tools that needed to be sharpened with a grinder and or a file. Then I started buying Robert Sorley tools. They were better. But still needed to be sharpened. Then I discovered Easy Wood Carbide tools. No more sharpening for me. Just buy another cutter head. And they say Made In America.