Vaughn would you be kind enough to give us some recommendation on which ones to buy as a starter kit. I have a basic set but in the gouges my stuff is junk. One side is not the same as the other in the u part. Dont quiet know how they got that right but thats what cheap tools are about.
I aint into the big stuff just say 7 inch size bowl or smaller.
Thanks
Rob,
I'm nowhere near the artist that Vaughn and some of the other guys on here are, but I will agree with Vaughn... I have two of the "sets" of turning tools... first one came with my first lathe - A Ridgid, second came with my son's Jet 1014 which I still have and use regularly.... the sets have a few pieces you will use regularly, there are 3 or 4 pieces in my sets that I never use... they are rusted and just take up space. I'm thinking I'll figure out some other use for them and regrind.
My list will vary from others because as turners, we learn to use or prefer to use certain tools that others don't....
My most used tools are:
1. A bowl gouge...
I actually have 3 from PSI... HSS Benjamin's best in the 3 sizes they offer... I use the 5/8" most of the time and could probably get by with only the one.
2. A skew...
Again I have two different sizes that came with my sets... one is a 1" or maybe 1-1/4" not sure... the other is 1/2" (there's 2 of these, but find myself only using one some of the time... I like it for smaller turnings, but could do all that I do with it with the larger if necessary.
3. A spindle gouge....
Again I have two since I have two sets... one has been sharpened to a point almost like a point tool and I find myself using it more than the other... I pretty much only use it in doing beads and coves and could use the skew.
4. A round nose scraper...
Again two from the sets, and I use them about equally... they are 1/2" and I sometimes use them to rough some pieces and to scrape inside of shallow bowls...
I have a rack full of other tools that I don't use so often, but do find a use for occasionally.. I've reground one of my 1 inch skews to a flat nose scraper and use that pretty regularly...
A friend gave me a couple of roughing gouges that I mentioned I wanted... he bought them as appreciation gift for showing him how to do some turning... he's actually pretty good, but needs to practice... he has some good skills.
The tool I reach for most often is the bowl gouge..