I am looking at buying some extra lathe tools (bowl gouges etc) and I was
wondering what brands people go with? I see some have had problems with
Marples (some say they are good), but other than that, I haven't seen many
posts on the brands of tools. I figure the two things of interest would be
how long they hold an edge and overall "quality" of the handle (how it
feels, balance, sturdiness etc).

Currently, I just have a "starter" type set so I don't really have much to
compare it to so I would appreciate any opinions or suggestions.

Thanks
Darren

Hi,
You should look for High Speed Steel (HSS) M2, M4, etc. tools. These are
offered by many outlets in several brand names. The most popular is probably
Robert Sorby or Henry Taylor. Also, there are less well known brands: Crown,
Hamlet, P&N (a new import from Australia available from Lee Valley), and the
"house brands" (available from Packard and Craft Supplies). Harbor Freight
Tools has a set of HSS for under $40.00 that work well as a good starter
set. It has received good reviews from turners on this NG, and they are the
basis for my tool set. You should look at the website or ask for catalogs
for the following:

Packard Woodworks
Craft Supplies USA
Lee Valley Tools LTD
Harbor Freight Tools

These outlets will be able to supply you with information on the major
brands as well as some of the more exotic tools such as the powered metal
metallurgies and specialized tools for hollowing, deep vessels, bowl coring
systems, etc.
Good luck.

Ken Moon
Webberville, TX
================================================== =====================

"Darren" wrote in message
...
I am looking at buying some extra lathe tools (bowl gouges etc) and I was
wondering what brands people go with? I see some have had problems with
Marples (some say they are good), but other than that, I haven't seen many
posts on the brands of tools. I figure the two things of interest would
be
how long they hold an edge and overall "quality" of the handle (how it
feels, balance, sturdiness etc).

Currently, I just have a "starter" type set so I don't really have much to
compare it to so I would appreciate any opinions or suggestions.

Thanks
Darren

Wow an 8 piece set for $30
(http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47066).
That just doesn't seem right ... too good to be true type thing. I am
seeing other sets that are at least $75 and am seeing a single tool that is
selling for $75.

Are they really any good? Not to sound disrespectful, but is this just the
"company line" to get me to buy tools at Harbor Freight? To be honest, I am
thinking of getting these and just replacing individual ones if there seems
to be a better one out there.

Thanks
Darren

"Ken Moon" wrote in message
ink.net...
Hi,
You should look for High Speed Steel (HSS) M2, M4, etc. tools. These are
offered by many outlets in several brand names. The most popular is
probably
Robert Sorby or Henry Taylor. Also, there are less well known brands:
Crown,
Hamlet, P&N (a new import from Australia available from Lee Valley), and
the
"house brands" (available from Packard and Craft Supplies). Harbor Freight
Tools has a set of HSS for under $40.00 that work well as a good starter
set. It has received good reviews from turners on this NG, and they are
the
basis for my tool set. You should look at the website or ask for catalogs
for the following:

Packard Woodworks
Craft Supplies USA
Lee Valley Tools LTD
Harbor Freight Tools

These outlets will be able to supply you with information on the major
brands as well as some of the more exotic tools such as the powered metal
metallurgies and specialized tools for hollowing, deep vessels, bowl
coring
systems, etc.
Good luck.

Ken Moon
Webberville, TX
================================================== =====================

"Darren" wrote in message
...
I am looking at buying some extra lathe tools (bowl gouges etc) and I
was
wondering what brands people go with? I see some have had problems with
Marples (some say they are good), but other than that, I haven't seen
many
posts on the brands of tools. I figure the two things of interest would
be
how long they hold an edge and overall "quality" of the handle (how it
feels, balance, sturdiness etc).

Currently, I just have a "starter" type set so I don't really have much
to
compare it to so I would appreciate any opinions or suggestions.

Thanks
Darren

One way of learning how to use (or abuse) a tool. I've still got my "came
with" set of carbon steel tools, and I use them more than several one trick
ponies on the rack that I probably would not have bought if I knew their
limitations - mostly scrapers.

Have at it. Bad tools will slow your development a lot less than a bad
lathe.

"Darren" wrote in message
...
Wow an 8 piece set for $30
(http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47066).
That just doesn't seem right ... too good to be true type thing. I am
seeing other sets that are at least $75 and am seeing a single tool that
is
selling for $75.

Are they really any good? Not to sound disrespectful, but is this just
the
"company line" to get me to buy tools at Harbor Freight? To be honest, I
am
thinking of getting these and just replacing individual ones if there
seems
to be a better one out there.

In article , says...
Wow an 8 piece set for $30
(http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47066).
That just doesn't seem right ... too good to be true type thing. I am
seeing other sets that are at least $75 and am seeing a single tool that is
selling for $75.

Are they really any good? Not to sound disrespectful, but is this just the
"company line" to get me to buy tools at Harbor Freight? To be honest, I am
thinking of getting these and just replacing individual ones if there seems
to be a better one out there.

This is a decent starter set- usable, reasonable, you can refresh or
learn sharpening techniques, re-grind the profile for experiments, and
make shavings at the same time. I think the company line is to start
slow and inexpensive (harbor fright or other- doesn't matter much) and
work up to those $75 each tools.

As you say- replace individual tools on an "as-needed" basis. I still
use the starter set that came with my Jet 1236, added a few crown and
some Sorby's to the mix, a couple of home-made single-purpose tools
thrown in for fun.
--
Happy Turning,
Vic

Ken

The Packard "house brand" are produced by Hamlet.

--
Mark Hancock, South Wales, UK
http://www.markhancock.co.uk

I think it's a good set too. As for a bowl gouge (I prefer "deep-fluted
gouge"), I'm glad that they don't include it in that set. That's one tool
that I think really demands a quality tool. It often hangs out there quite
a ways and gets a lot of stress that a skew, for instance, just doesn't (or
shouldn't g) get. I'd be hesitant to recommend the set if it did include
a bowl gouge, in fact. I feel safer and just plain get better results with
quality bowl gouges with quality steel and manufacturing. I tend to abuse
my shallow-fluted gouges but they don't get near the stress that the
deep-fluted ones get.

- Andrew



"Darrell Feltmate" wrote in message
...
Darren
The general consensus of the group is that this is a good beginner's set
and well worth the money. On the other hand it does not have a bowl
gouge and a decent bowl gouge can set you back a few dollars. You might
like to try an Oland tool which is all I use for bowls. Instruction on
making them are on my web site under making a tool.

My starter set has actually treated me pretty well. I was just thinking of
getting a new set and a bowl gouge because I want to sell my "starter" lathe
and it usually is a good "package" deal to have a set of tools with it. I
also have been doing a lot more bowls and I seem to have a harder time
getting that smoother transition \ even curve in the inside of the bowl.
All books and videos talk about bowl gouges so I thought I would try it.

I am looking at a Sorby's 3/8" bowl gouge ($54.00) along with that set at
Harbor Freight. I might end up keeping my current set and including that
set with the lathe when I sell it.

Thanks to everyone for their help. The sink should be a fun project...
Darren

"AHilton" wrote in message
...
I think it's a good set too. As for a bowl gouge (I prefer "deep-fluted
gouge"), I'm glad that they don't include it in that set. That's one tool
that I think really demands a quality tool. It often hangs out there
quite
a ways and gets a lot of stress that a skew, for instance, just doesn't
(or
shouldn't g) get. I'd be hesitant to recommend the set if it did
include
a bowl gouge, in fact. I feel safer and just plain get better results
with
quality bowl gouges with quality steel and manufacturing. I tend to abuse
my shallow-fluted gouges but they don't get near the stress that the
deep-fluted ones get.

- Andrew



"Darrell Feltmate" wrote in message
...
Darren
The general consensus of the group is that this is a good beginner's set
and well worth the money. On the other hand it does not have a bowl
gouge and a decent bowl gouge can set you back a few dollars. You might
like to try an Oland tool which is all I use for bowls. Instruction on
making them are on my web site under making a tool.

Darren
The general consensus of the group is that this is a good beginner's set
and well worth the money. On the other hand it does not have a bowl
gouge and a decent bowl gouge can set you back a few dollars. You might
like to try an Oland tool which is all I use for bowls. Instruction on
making them are on my web site under making a tool.
--
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS, Canada
http://www.roundthewoods.com

"Darren" wrote in message

Wow an 8 piece set for $30

Are they really any good?

I'd think they'd be fine for learning good sharpening/honing technique. Do
you really want to screw up a set of Sorbys or Taylors during the early part
of the learning curve?

I bought a set of Robert Sorby tools when I bought my lathe. Then I bought
some cheap tools, afraid I'd ruin the Sorbys until my sharpening abilities
improve. Good, cheap investment, it would seem.

Max

in article . net, Maxprop at
wrote on 1/26/04 3:38 PM:


"Darren" wrote in message


Do you really want to screw up a set of Sorbys or Taylors during the
early part of the learning curve?

Good point and worth listening to. I have two really good bowl gouges and I
have been scared to death to sharpen them. Had a friend who really knows
sharpening do it a couple times. I finally built the jig that Darrell
Fellmate has on his website. It helped a lot. The rest my tools are cheapies
and they are good to practice on.

Earl

P&N, new to Lee Valley maybe, but not a new import.
I purchased P&N bowl gouges here on Vancouver Island 8 years ago.
Tools -n-space in Victoria has carried them as a regular item for years.
BTW, for the money, they are hard to beat.
James Barley.

"Ken Moon" wrote in message
ink.net...
Hi,
You should look for High Speed Steel (HSS) M2, M4, etc. tools. These are
offered by many outlets in several brand names. The most popular is
probably
Robert Sorby or Henry Taylor. Also, there are less well known brands:
Crown,
Hamlet, P&N (a new import from Australia available from Lee Valley), and
the
"house brands" (available from Packard and Craft Supplies). Harbor Freight
Tools has a set of HSS for under $40.00 that work well as a good starter
set. It has received good reviews from turners on this NG, and they are
the
basis for my tool set. You should look at the website or ask for catalogs
for the following:

Packard Woodworks
Craft Supplies USA
Lee Valley Tools LTD
Harbor Freight Tools

These outlets will be able to supply you with information on the major
brands as well as some of the more exotic tools such as the powered metal
metallurgies and specialized tools for hollowing, deep vessels, bowl
coring
systems, etc.
Good luck.

Ken Moon
Webberville, TX
================================================== =====================

"Darren" wrote in message
...
I am looking at buying some extra lathe tools (bowl gouges etc) and I
was
wondering what brands people go with? I see some have had problems with
Marples (some say they are good), but other than that, I haven't seen
many
posts on the brands of tools. I figure the two things of interest would
be
how long they hold an edge and overall "quality" of the handle (how it
feels, balance, sturdiness etc).

Currently, I just have a "starter" type set so I don't really have much
to
compare it to so I would appreciate any opinions or suggestions.

Thanks
Darren

I was at a Harbor Freight store about a month ago. I saw this set for $30
and couldn't pass it up. Yea, I have all the nice Sorby tools I need, but
for the price I had to get it. They really are not too bad. The fluting on
the gouges is a little rough. They don't stay sharp too long, but are
reasonable. Besides I needed practice with my sharpening. I actually use
these for roughing the outside of bowls, but after that I switch to the
Sorbys. I actually find myself using these more then I thought I ever would.

This is the "starter" set I never had. My starter set was a bunch of carbon
steel Craftsman tools. I used them a few times and couldn't take the
torture, so I started buying individual Sorby tools as I needed/wanted them.

Leslie

--
She's got tools, and she knows how to use them.


"Darren" wrote in message
...
Wow an 8 piece set for $30
(http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47066).
That just doesn't seem right ... too good to be true type thing. I am
seeing other sets that are at least $75 and am seeing a single tool that
is
selling for $75.

Are they really any good? Not to sound disrespectful, but is this just
the
"company line" to get me to buy tools at Harbor Freight? To be honest, I
am
thinking of getting these and just replacing individual ones if there
seems
to be a better one out there.

Thanks
Darren

"Ken Moon" wrote in message
ink.net...
Hi,
You should look for High Speed Steel (HSS) M2, M4, etc. tools. These are
offered by many outlets in several brand names. The most popular is
probably
Robert Sorby or Henry Taylor. Also, there are less well known brands:
Crown,
Hamlet, P&N (a new import from Australia available from Lee Valley), and
the
"house brands" (available from Packard and Craft Supplies). Harbor
Freight
Tools has a set of HSS for under $40.00 that work well as a good starter
set. It has received good reviews from turners on this NG, and they are
the
basis for my tool set. You should look at the website or ask for
catalogs
for the following:

Packard Woodworks
Craft Supplies USA
Lee Valley Tools LTD
Harbor Freight Tools

These outlets will be able to supply you with information on the major
brands as well as some of the more exotic tools such as the powered
metal
metallurgies and specialized tools for hollowing, deep vessels, bowl
coring
systems, etc.
Good luck.

Ken Moon
Webberville, TX
================================================== =====================

"Darren" wrote in message
...
I am looking at buying some extra lathe tools (bowl gouges etc) and I
was
wondering what brands people go with? I see some have had problems
with
Marples (some say they are good), but other than that, I haven't seen
many
posts on the brands of tools. I figure the two things of interest
would
be
how long they hold an edge and overall "quality" of the handle (how it
feels, balance, sturdiness etc).

Currently, I just have a "starter" type set so I don't really have
much
to
compare it to so I would appreciate any opinions or suggestions.

Thanks
Darren

I have started with these and they are very good for the $. They sharpen
well. I did just purchase a Sorby Bowl gouge yesterday. Can't wait to try it
out this weekend!

Dan
"Darren" wrote in message
...
Wow an 8 piece set for $30
(http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47066).
That just doesn't seem right ... too good to be true type thing. I am
seeing other sets that are at least $75 and am seeing a single tool that
is
selling for $75.

Are they really any good? Not to sound disrespectful, but is this just
the
"company line" to get me to buy tools at Harbor Freight? To be honest, I
am
thinking of getting these and just replacing individual ones if there
seems
to be a better one out there.

Thanks
Darren

"Ken Moon" wrote in message
ink.net...
Hi,
You should look for High Speed Steel (HSS) M2, M4, etc. tools. These are
offered by many outlets in several brand names. The most popular is
probably
Robert Sorby or Henry Taylor. Also, there are less well known brands:
Crown,
Hamlet, P&N (a new import from Australia available from Lee Valley), and
the
"house brands" (available from Packard and Craft Supplies). Harbor
Freight
Tools has a set of HSS for under $40.00 that work well as a good starter
set. It has received good reviews from turners on this NG, and they are
the
basis for my tool set. You should look at the website or ask for
catalogs
for the following:

Packard Woodworks
Craft Supplies USA
Lee Valley Tools LTD
Harbor Freight Tools

These outlets will be able to supply you with information on the major
brands as well as some of the more exotic tools such as the powered
metal
metallurgies and specialized tools for hollowing, deep vessels, bowl
coring
systems, etc.
Good luck.

Ken Moon
Webberville, TX
================================================== =====================

"Darren" wrote in message
...
I am looking at buying some extra lathe tools (bowl gouges etc) and I
was
wondering what brands people go with? I see some have had problems
with
Marples (some say they are good), but other than that, I haven't seen
many
posts on the brands of tools. I figure the two things of interest
would
be
how long they hold an edge and overall "quality" of the handle (how it
feels, balance, sturdiness etc).

Currently, I just have a "starter" type set so I don't really have
much
to
compare it to so I would appreciate any opinions or suggestions.

Thanks
Darren

I first heard of P&N tools at the 2001 AAW meeting in St. Paul.
Michael Hosaluk was using them in his demo. I think he was even
selling them too. Southern Woodturning in Canberra has them also. If
you are considering ordering from Australia.


"James Barley" wrote in message news:RoiRb.293052$X%5.278705@pd7tw2no...
P&N, new to Lee Valley maybe, but not a new import.
I purchased P&N bowl gouges here on Vancouver Island 8 years ago.
Tools -n-space in Victoria has carried them as a regular item for years.
BTW, for the money, they are hard to beat.
James Barley.

"Ken Moon" wrote in message
ink.net...
Hi,
You should look for High Speed Steel (HSS) M2, M4, etc. tools. These are
offered by many outlets in several brand names. The most popular is
probably
Robert Sorby or Henry Taylor. Also, there are less well known brands:
Crown,
Hamlet, P&N (a new import from Australia available from Lee Valley), and
the
"house brands" (available from Packard and Craft Supplies). Harbor Freight
Tools has a set of HSS for under $40.00 that work well as a good starter
set. It has received good reviews from turners on this NG, and they are
the
basis for my tool set. You should look at the website or ask for catalogs
for the following:

Packard Woodworks
Craft Supplies USA
Lee Valley Tools LTD
Harbor Freight Tools

These outlets will be able to supply you with information on the major
brands as well as some of the more exotic tools such as the powered metal
metallurgies and specialized tools for hollowing, deep vessels, bowl
coring
systems, etc.
Good luck.

Ken Moon
Webberville, TX
================================================== =====================

"Darren" wrote in message
...
I am looking at buying some extra lathe tools (bowl gouges etc) and I
was
wondering what brands people go with? I see some have had problems with
Marples (some say they are good), but other than that, I haven't seen
many
posts on the brands of tools. I figure the two things of interest would
be
how long they hold an edge and overall "quality" of the handle (how it
feels, balance, sturdiness etc).

Currently, I just have a "starter" type set so I don't really have much
to
compare it to so I would appreciate any opinions or suggestions.

Thanks
Darren