I am planning to buy a Wood Turning Chisel for some upcoming lathe projects and was originally looking at a few basic sets. However, someone recommended this particular Wood Turning Chisel to me and said it is a better option in terms of quality, control, and overall use.
Before I buy it, I wanted to ask people with real experience, is this actually a good choice for beginners/intermediate use, or are there better options in the same price range? I would really appreciate honest feedback on durability, performance, and value.
The most important item for a wood turner is a system to sharpen the tools. Or purchase carbide tools with replaceable inserts. I question any tool that is sold as ready to use out of the box. They all need sharpening - exception being the ones with carbide inserts. I cannot speak to the quality of the referenced set but I can emphasize the need to have a method of sharpening them
that is really helpful advice thank you. I can see how sharpening is just as important as the tools themselves, especially for getting clean results and safe control. Iâll definitely look into a proper sharpening setup as well and Iâll also compare carbide insert options before deciding.
If youâre going to continue doing this type of turning I would suggest a carbide insert tool. I have both, complete sharpening system and use them both. If you need to finish a project and donât have time to resharpen then carbide keeps you going.
The set you list is for âhobbiest, beginnerâ and typically not the best steel to hold an edge very long. Make sure you have a sharpening system to use and sharpen them more frequently than not. It will be faster to put an edge back on them and easier to turn the profile you want.
It makes sense that carbide tools are better for convenience, especially when you need to keep working without stopping to sharpen. Also good to know the set I listed may need frequent sharpening. I will definitely factor that in before making a decision.
If you are going to do a lot of turning and want really good results I would put my money on the better tools. You are purchasing 8 tools for 40 dollars. I have seen these types of tools wear on the tips, the tool bend, the handle come lose or break. I didnât see the lengths of the tool or the handle or the overall length. They look really short from the one picture in the turners hand.If you are going to be doing any kind of heavy turning you will want the better steel and handles with bulk to assist you in doing better turnings. These type of tools can cause a lot of chattering when cutting and breakage can happen. You get what you pay for.
The tools themselves are probably not the best quality at that price. However, buying a multi-set like this allows you to experiment to see what profiles you prefer to use for the work that you want to do.
In that case, I would follow up by buying better versions of the tools that you actually use. Think of the first set as information gathering. Once you have some actual information on your usage, you can make more informed decisions.
I occasionally do some turning. Since itâs an occasional thing for me, I prefer using carbide insert tools, rather than spending the money on an effective sharpening system. Someone who turns everyday could easily go the other way.
I use the âEasy Woodâ tools - theyâre not cheap, but they work well for my uses, and have good reviews.
Those tools are cheap and of bad quality. You will think you are the problem.
I consider myself as an advanced woodturner. I also teach woodturning.
I never use carbide tools, they are tools for people that dont know how to turn. When you watch video of pro, they never use that.
My best advice is to go for a training before you buy anything
I turn a lot. I am in a wood turning club. The purist suggest good quality high speed steel. If you go that route Sorby and Thompson are some of the best tools you can buy. The old saying is cry once and not everytime you use a cheap tool.
As a beginner I would suggest carbide tools. You dont need an expensive sharpening system. The Wolverine is the standard sharpening system. With carbide you just cut. With standard tools you have to stop and sharpen every 15 minutes or so. You can use both carbide and regular high speed steel tools (HSS). The HSS tools do leave a smoother finish but so does sand paper.
Easy Wood Tools makes 3 sizes, Pro, Medium and small. The medium would be a good beginning tool setup. Carbide tools are scrapers where HSS are cutting. On carbide they make negative rake inserts that leave a good finish surface.
If you want HSS buy good tools. The carbide will take you a long way and you may never need the HSS tools if you are a casual turner.
I have been woodturning for about 5 years and use the lathe for about 30% of my woodworking (the CNC is also about 30%). I have made about 100 lathe projects including bowls, lamps, pens, table legs, burl / resin projects, hollowed vessels, segmented turning, basket illusion vessels, etc. etc⌠I use carbide tools for about 99% of my projects and they work great. I resharpen my carbide cutters in a couple minutes on a diamond knife sharpening stone. I agree that carbide will take you a long way on a fairly small budget for a hobbiest, part time woodturner. I get my carbide tools from âSimple Woodturning Toolsâ in Minnesota. I never needed any formal training other than YouTube videos.
thanks for sharing your experience, that is really helpful. It is good to know carbide tools work so well and are easy to maintain. I am still learning, so hearing that you managed mostly through YouTube is encouraging. I will definitely look into carbide tools.
You just need to determine what type of turning you will be doing most, This will determine which profile you would need. Round, square or pointed for detail work for example.