On 10/14/2012 3:09 PM, Dr. Deb wrote:
Gramp's shop wrote:

I know there are a few turners that hang out here from time to time.

I'm a new turner with a Rikon mini lathe and a pretty full set of HSS
tools. Took a bowl turning class a few weeks ago and had a chance to
try out a carbide tipped gouge. Sweet. I've had a few bad catches
using the bowl gouge -- a couple sent the blank flying across the shop.

So ... I'm thinking about adding a carbide gouge to my toolset. Do you
use them? If so, any thoughts about Easy, Hunter or others?

Larry


Carbide has a lot to recommend it. One reason for resistance to the
carbide tools is, as others have said, they are new and us old coggers just
ain't into that new fangled stuff. That aside,

Carbide has its place, but the selection of tools is still limited

With a good jig setup, sharpening is not a chore, (If you think it is, you
really need to get a life).

HSS allows you to put an individual shape on your tools, rather than what
someone else thinks you ought to have.

There is no carbide replacement for the skew. That alone should make you
have a mix of tool types.

I have an Easy Rougher knock off and frankly never use it - finding the
skew does everything better and as quick as the Easy (square bit).

I will say that I have read reviews of Easy Wood Tools "type" tools and
the "knock offs" do not get as good of reviews as those of the Easy Wood
Tools.

So, really, its what you get used to and what you prefer.

I personally tried, off and on, over the past 30 years to get used to
the old style tools. I got pretty good with the rough in gouge. :~)

If you already are proficient with the conventional tools I can see how
it would be a 50/50 chance of you switching. For those of us that are
no,t the carbide tools eliminate the learning curve to almost zero.