Basic tools needed to turn horn plugs and measures?

[JDK]

Hello again,  I had asked on a previous post about lathe chucks....appreciate all who chimed in.

I would like to get recommendations now on getting a good basic set of turning tools now to turn plugs and such.  The mini/midi sets available seen to run the gamut from $30 to $400 .  Should I even buy a set or should I buy a few individual tools.  I do plan on getting some instruction on using them before I dive in.

Thanks in advance, J.D. Kerstetter

[whitebear]

You can make a perfectly use able set of turning tools out of old files.  Just grind them slow and quench frequently.

[Kermit]

Roughing gouge, parting tool, a skew or two, and a spindle gouge. Add others as you find you need them. Scrapers, for instance. I wouldn't be too much in a hurry to go for the smaller turning tools. You probably don't need "long and strong," but the usual sizes running, say, 14-18" are where I'd spend my money. I turn some pretty small stuff sometimes, and don't have either mini or midis. And look for good entry-level high speed steel tools. Check these guys out: http://www.pennstateind.com/store/woodturning-tools.html

DO take time to practice with the dreaded skew. Once you've got it figured, it's amazing how many of those foo-foo turning tools you can live without. And learn to grind by eye if you can get some instruction. Faster and cheaper, not buying and setting up jugs and fixtures.

[JDK]

Thanks for all the good advice.

Mr. Russell:  I checked on the Woodcraft courses.  Allentown certainly offers more than Harrisburg....3 pages to their 1.  I e-mailed them about beginners classes and they replied that they offer 1) turning a pen, 2) turning a simple bowl and 3) turning a garden dribbler and as beginners classes....nothing like your stores offerings.  Do you imagine any of them would be worth the hour drive?  There are a couple of really good horners in this area I am hoping to hook up with and am hoping one of them will help guide me more.

Whitebear:  I have allot of old files I've been saving for knife making but they certainly could be lathe tools first.  Thanks.

Kermit:  Thanks for the recommendation on Penn State Industries tools and the warning/advice on the "dreaded skew"....I will try to be careful.

y.m.h.s., J.D.Kerstetter

[Mark Elliott]

Horns and pens are most of what I turn and I think that I have the minimum set of tools for that.   My tools include:

3/4" roughing gouge
1/8"parting tool
1" skew
1/2" skew
3/8" spindle gouge
3/8" bowl gouge
Robert Sorby 3/4" round nose (graduated profile) scraper
Robert Sorby Hollow Master for bowl turning.
5 piece set of Pinnacle miniature turning gouges (1/16" parting tool, 1/4" skew, 1/4" & 1/8"spindle gouge, 1/4"round nose scraper,)
Most are PInnacle cryogenically treated HSS.    When properly sharpened, the edge does hold up longer.      I still hone about every 20 minutes of turning.  

I use a SuperNova2 chuck with 50mm jaws for the base plugs, and a pen turning mandrel for the pens and horn tips.  You will need at least 16" of swing to turn entire horns.  I have a Nova 1622-44 and used to use a Jet 1014.  Seems to me that most serious turners end up with a PowerMatic which would certainly handle just about anything.

Mark

[JDK]

Thanks again Eric and thanks Mark.  All the advise is appreciated.  I am glad to here the Pinnacle cryo treated tools work as advertised.  You just never know from reading the hype in the adds.  I didn't think about using a pen turning mandrel for the horn tips.  So much too learn.

Again, thanks, J.D.K.

[Tim Crosby]

  Here are my four most used tools for turning horn bases and either horn or antler tips. One gouge for roughing out, the others more scraper than anything, made from power hack saw and band saw blades, both ends of the two. There is also a small U shaped one around here somewhere. FWIW I turn everything pretty slow 800 RPMs.

 Tim C.   

[JDK]

Mr. Crosby,  Do you roll a burr on these scraper edges as we do with cabinet scrapers or is it unnecessary?  Thanks, J.D.K.

[Tim Crosby]

Mr. Crosby,  Do you roll a burr on these scraper edges as we do with cabinet scrapers or is it unnecessary?  Thanks, J.D.K.

 No they are stoned on sides and edges. A burr is a little agressive when the piece is spinning.

 Tim C.

[JDK]

Thank you again Mr. Crosby.  I will heed your advise.  J.D.K.