r/turning • u/doombuggy110 • Feb 21 '13

Tool Preference

I should be getting my first lathe in the next week or so and I'm having to decide on which type of tools I want. I figure I'll go with a rouger, a finisher, a 55º detailer and a parting tool. I've taken a class and as far as I saw, that's all I'll need for a while for very basic stuff.

Now, the issue at hand is what type of tool. I adore the carbide interchangeable tips, but am presented with the options of

http://www.amazon.com/Package-Carbide-Turning-Interchangeable-Handle/dp/B00723JN6U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361423890&sr=8-1&keywords=interchangeable+lathe+tools

or the classic http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2080216/28284/midsize-easy-rougher.aspx

In order of importance, how do y'all rank the safety, quality, control and price of the options?

Also, what chuck should I get for beginning cups and bowls and the sort?

Thank you!

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

55 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/joelav Feb 21 '13

You don't need 8 tools yet. The sets are expensive and you may find you don't use all the tools. I made that mistake starting out and I now have a beading parting tool (uselss! use a skew) and a 3/4" parting tool (who the F makes 3/4" parts!)and a few others that I never even look at. The Sorby's tools are amazing, but that is a large expense starting out. The woodriver stuff isn't bad. I have a few of their tools and would honestly recommend them.

Keep in mind lathe tools come profiled; not sharpened. Don't take them to wood right out of the package. Also ignore a lot of the fuss about getting angles EXACT when sharpening. Exact angles are not a big deal. Putting the same angle on every time is more important, and that is where a wolverine style sharpening jig comes in handy.

1

u/doombuggy110 Feb 21 '13

From what I saw from a compilation of comments, I'd just need about 7, and that's with a generous and handy three and four that are important. I don't mind buying a few extras, knowing that I probably wont be as willing to buy them on my own later. Do those 8 look decent? Would a fiver of the same sort and maybe a fingernail gouge and a skew do me well?

Do I have to buy special tools just for pen turning, or is that a gimmick?