Shopsmith Forums

I was wondering if anyone had a set of the Narex woodturning chisels. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 ... 0ZX9W2WURW I was considering getting them for my son as a beginner's set since when he bought his SS it did not come with any turning tools, but he did get a couple of face plates, the universal tool rest and specialty rests. I have heard good things about their bench and mortising chisels.

There doesn't seem to be much information on these, maybe they are just to new.

They appear to be 14" long which is shorter then the old shopsmith tools I have which are 16".

I see info that they are a 60 rhc and another place 64 or even 66. So I guess it depends on the particular tool. I also see the amazon has then singly giving you the option of getting one to look at. It might even be cheaper that way, I didn't check. I also see that there are several more known suppliers listed on there page so I would look into that too. Never assume amazon has the best price.

https://www.amazon.com/Turning-Tools-Na ... _4%3ANarex

If you do get them keep us in the loop as to what your son thinks of them.

Ed

I did order one to look at and try. But since I do not have any experience with turning, I would not know a good tool from decent tool. The only other turning tools I have are my original SS tools to compare them to.

I have a few turning tools but they were second hand from flea markets and garage sales so I cant really help as far as that name brand .

My guess is if you keep them sharp and let the tool do the cutting they will work fine.

When I started in to wood turning I was first using early-80's era Shopsmith set. Not being entirely satisfied with those (carbon steel vs high speed steel(HSS)), but not willing to invest in expensive chisels, I learned of the Harbor Freight "red handled" chisel set (NOT the light colored set for a few bucks less); http://www.harborfreight.com/Profession ... 61794.html. These are much harder steel and can be bought for around $60+tax if you have a 20% coupon (easy to find). They do take longer to sharpen than the old Shopsmith set, but also seemed to me to get sharper and definitely hold a good enough edge much longer.

There are other good, inexpensive starter sets out there, for instance Benjamin's Best.

From what I found the Narex are made from cryogenically hardened M2 steel. http://www.narexchisels.com/Narex_Chise ... Tools.html I got the one I ordered today. I will take pictures tomorrow with the SS ones to compare. I still have to figure out sharpening and getting to a point with other projects so I can attempt to use it.

I have purchased the Narex spindle gouge. Here are side by side pictures of the Narex with the SS. Eventually my list of projects will get to the point where I can attempt to turn something, hopefully. I will also have to figure out how to sharpen all of the turning tools I have first though. I figure it will be a couple of months before I get to that point in my list of projects so I have time to decide if I want to go with a slow speed grinder and Wolverine system or something else.