Shopsmith Forums

Has anyone use the carbide tipped lathe chisels, such as the set Penn State sells?
I can (and do) sharpen my standard SS chisels, but would like the extended sharp edge that should come with a carbide set.

Pros and cons are appreciated.

major_bob wrote:Has anyone use the carbide tipped lathe chisels, such as the set Penn State sells?
I can (and do) sharpen my standard SS chisels, but would like the extended sharp edge that should come with a carbide set.

Pros and cons are appreciated.

Imagine that, you have asked about the one item purchased from Penn State that I WILL NEVER PURCHASE AGAIN. Okay I apologize for shouting. I had the tip break off of one. Initially they did remain sharper for some period of time. Once they dull they seem nearly impossible to return to a semblance of sharpness. Once the tip breaks off they become a great if not expensive frustration. True you must make your own decision, I have no desire to own that set or any other lathe chisel that bears the name Benjamin's Best or Carbide tipped. Fortunately Woodcraft stores stock a great selection. In fact those purchased from Shopsmith are serving me better than any other brand I have ever owned.

My guess would be that once dull or chipped, they would be harder than H--L to sharpen and keep sharp.

I use a small detailer from Easy Woodtools and find that is very good. However the tool can be very aggressive. The cutting action is that of a scraper which does leave a rougher finish than a conventional tool than can provide a shearing cut. The small round cutter really excells at cutting acrylic material such as pen blanks.
Using the Easy Woodturning tool leaves a smoother cut in the acrylic but a rougher cut in wood. It does require a very delicate touch and careful movement close to the work. The wrong technique or a quick move into the work WILL result in a dig and possible redesign.
The tool is always produces a scraping cut regardless of what the manufacturer says.
Bill V

I have heard horror stories regarding "carbide tipped" chisels from any vendor. Remember the carbide is much harder (and therefore more brittle) than HSS or Carbon Steel. That hardness makes them very difficult to sharpen without the correct tools and knowledge of sharpening carbide.

There are numerous replaceable insert carbide scrapers to be had, and these seem the way to go for carbide. Once the insert dulls, just replace it.

The woodchuck tools at http://www.woodchuck-tools.com/Tools.htm are highly regarded on penturners.org

He has several models now. Once the budget allows I may purchase the unitool and the penpro.

I have also heard of people making their own replaceable insert carbide scrapers. If you or someone you know knows how to work steel, this may also be an option. The replaceable carbide inserts are fairly standard and available from most woodworking outlets and online.

I would give carbide insert tools a BIG thumbs UP.

One of the members here provided me with a nicely turned handle, a hunk of square stock (I even think he rounded the handle side for me??) a copper ring and a carbide cutter. I used a grinder, drill and tap to shape a place for the cutter. Stuck the other parts together and have a very nice tool that I quite enjoy using. His wood turners group did a group buy on the cutters so that was a nice surprise kit for only the cost of the parts.

I have two other purchased tool that are with a different design (think Hunter Tool like). The original is more of the Easy Tool design. The tools are different to use then lathe tools you are use to and do take some concentration when placing the tool rest and tool placement when you first start.

I think I read some one said they are only for scraping..... well if long streams of pealed turns are done by scraping then its news to me. You can produce a very large pile of turnings in a very short time without ever thinking about sharpening tools. Even then you need a sharp edge it only takes a rotation the cutter to have a fresh edge, or to simply put a fresh cutter on. It is more like how many projects can I do with the carbide rather then how many sharpening on this project.

Some of you have the shopsmith lathe duplicator and will have experience with the carbide inserts from that. I don't have the duplicator but have seen the inserts which pretty much look like the lathe ones.

Now if you want to check some of these tools our I would go to google, click the video button and type in easy wood tools or hunter tools and watch some users and some reviews and watch some chips fly.

A hand made tool would make a great show and tell if someone is up to it. If not I guess I could work on one in the spring. Or maybe some will run across such a project online somewhere.

Ed

I've made several of my own by following Capn' Eddie's instructions. They are easy. cheap, and fun to make.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0hPl0dL ... ature=plcp

jcraigie wrote:I've made several of my own by following Capn' Eddie's instructions. They are easy. cheap, and fun to make.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0hPl0dL ... ature=plcp

Thanks for posting this. I may have to give this a try sooner rather than later.

Picked up one of the Easy Wood Tools mini-rougher recently and couldn't be more pleased. Performed as advertised. Bought the finisher a couple of weeks later. The real benefit is that the tool is so much easier to use that I now feel much more comfortable allowing my son and wife to take a "turn" at the lathe.
I understand how the traditionalists might balk at such a radical departure in tool design, but personally I am impressed.
Only warning is to be careful turning softer woods. The rougher will cut through it like butter.

Just remember that these tools are scrapers and not for shear cutting. If you try shear cutting (riding the bevel) you might get a bit scared when the tool digs in and snatches it right out of your hand. In other words. Don't even think about shear cutting with a scraper, at best it doesn't cut well. At worst thrown tools, damaged product and possible injury.