New turning tools ... soon.

[Syncman]

Will try. These are for a "makerspace" that I belong to. Someone donated a really old lathe, and worn out tools. Another member donated a bunch of slimline pen kits and blanks, so that's pretty much what people are turning right now. There are 3D printers, CNC and laser cutters, even 2 Maslow CNC machines. Mostly home made.

https://wiki.themakerstation.com/Main_Page

[Bill in Buena Park]

Nice set of functional tools. Don't forget to share the finished turning projects!

[Syncman]

[Syncman]

Just ordered myself a selection from R.K. Cutters on ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Choose-5-Ca...YAAOSwc2FaLygk

"update" Total investment 30-00. Free oak stair tread not best, but its free.

[poolhound]

Jon, that set of cutters looks like exactly the same set I purchased from Dale at AZCarbide. I think you'll enjoy their performance. I'm working on a new tool with the cupped round cutter to do sheer cutting (mainly for hollowing) but based on square bar stock ground to 45 degrees. I'll post when done. BTW, I like the narrow diamond for details (like establishing the grooves for burning wires), and the wider diamond is good for scraping into corners (like forming a dovetail recess) and around beads in situations where I find the narrow diamond to be "catchy".

Good to know. So much sawdust to make and so little time! If work would just stop getting in the way...

[Bill in Buena Park]

Jon, that set of cutters looks like exactly the same set I purchased from Dale at AZCarbide. I think you'll enjoy their performance. I'm working on a new tool with the cupped round cutter to do sheer cutting (mainly for hollowing) but based on square bar stock ground to 45 degrees. I'll post when done. BTW, I like the narrow diamond for details (like establishing the grooves for burning wires), and the wider diamond is good for scraping into corners (like forming a dovetail recess) and around beads in situations where I find the narrow diamond to be "catchy".

[Bill in Buena Park]

Good summary Jon. As an alternative to steps 4 and 5 splitting/routing/gluing the handle blanks to fit square bar stock, you can also leave the blank whole, drill the round hole, and grind/shape the bar stock closer to round to fit the hole.

[poolhound]

OK. Please explain what's going on here. It looks as if you have a much cheaper method of getting carbide tools. I was looking at the "tool" with one carbide cutter going for over $100. Do you have to drill the hole in those to attach the cutter? Where do you get the bar stock? or ? Detailed instructions would be much appreciated as the cutters seem reasonably priced if the rest it DIY.

Bill (Buena Park) had a pretty good thread on this a few months back. Do a YouTube search for "making carbide lathe tools" and you will find a bunch of good examples. The basic steps are.

1. buy square or round bar stock which can be found at home depot for <$10 for 3'
2. pick some appropriate wood for handles approx 2" sq
3. buy cutters, check out http://azcarbide.com/
4.Split wood in 2 and rout out sq channel for bar
5.glue up using bar as a key
6. grind and shape end of bar to fit cutter.
7. drill and tap bar
8. shape handles to desired profile and use brass or copper plumbing fitting as ferule
9. epoxy bar into handle.

Done.

[onedash]

OK. Please explain what's going on here. It looks as if you have a much cheaper method of getting carbide tools. I was looking at the "tool" with one carbide cutter going for over $100. Do you have to drill the hole in those to attach the cutter? Where do you get the bar stock? or ? Detailed instructions would be much appreciated as the cutters seem reasonably priced if the rest it DIY.

[poolhound]

2 square 2 round (1 shear) and 2 diamond. I wasnt sure about the fat diamond but figured I would try this selection and see what I like. I do have a 1/2" round bar for the shear cutter but that did not need to be cut and glued like the square ones. Hope to get at least some of these finished at the weekend.

[Bill in Buena Park]

Can't wait to see the finished tools Jon. Which cutters are going on those?

[poolhound]

Bought some carbide cutters a while back and have just started to turn them into some new tools. Had some spindle blanks lying around the shop for years that I dont even recall where they came from. Thought they were cherry but as I started to cut them it seems they are walnut. Not sure its the best for tool handles but its what they are going to be ;-)