Robert
Knud Oland was saying some of these same things back in the '70s. He either
designed or recalled some old designs for inserted tip tools for turners
with the plan that anyone could make one in the home shop. I find that I use
almost exclusively home made tools now with the exception of a roughing
gouge and a skew and when my commercial ones wear out I doubt that I will
buy new ones, just make substitutes. The reasons are
1) cost new bowl gouge $60+, new Oland $5, new Oland tip $1
2) enjoyment, I like tool making
3) satisfaction "I make it myself with tools I make myself"
4) they work as well as or better than tools I can buy
5) I need something that will ...... faster to make it than to do the 2 hour
round trip to buy it or the week to send for it
See the web site under making tools for some hints including those low cost
sharpening jigs.

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God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS Canada
www.aroundthewoods.com