Lathe tools

[PIKELAKE]

 I have a lathe to turn some horn plugs and applied tips and now I need to get some tools. I wonder if there was a list posted at some point that listed the tools that might be used to turn some of these items . My plan is to just get the tools used most by real horners. I have a roughing gouge, parting tool, spindle gouge and bowl gouge. How about a beading tool? I hate to buy stuff I'll most likely not use. I bought a lot of gouges and other wood tools to carve and found out I didn't need half of them. Any direction would be appreciated.     JZ

[Kermit]

You might want a scraper or two, but in addition to what you listed, I'd add a skew or two. Lots of folks will warn you away from the skew, but it just takes some practice. Once you have the hang of it, there is a LOT you can accomplish.

I'd hold off on specialized tools, among which I include beading tools. They do one thing in one size. Learn to cut beads with that skew. You'll be glad you chewed up so much wood learning to handle it.

You are right to hold off on buying a bunch of tools that are hyped as what you really MUST have. And learn to keep those tools sharp.

[The Original Griz]

^^^^^ yeah what he said....

[Tim Crosby]

 These are the tools I use on all my horn work.

Left to Right:

Flat ended with a sharpened tapered left side edge. For hollowing out base plugs after a 1" pilot hole is drilled with a  spade bit.

Standard Parting tool.

Small Skew, lots of uses, smoothing, making beads, layout, thin lines, the list goes on.

Large Skew, same as small only for larger work and gets use a lot on flattening pieces.

Large Round nose, used for concave work.

Small Round nose, same as above only for smaller work.

Even smaller Round nose for smaller work.

Kind of an offset Parting/Scraping/Bead making/V cutting/overall tool, made from a power Hacksaw blade. A real go to tool. You can see where I filed some "U"s in it to try it for bead making, didn't like it.

And a large Gouge for the rough work.

I also use files and rasps as needed.


 Tim C.

[Brookville]

If you have good quality turning tools the only additional item I would suggest is a 1/2" round nose scraper.  It's valuable for hollowing the inside of horn plugs and creating forms in end grain.  It's a companion to the bowl gouge.  You will find that your parting tool is much more useful than just parting.  It also functions as a scraper and is easy to control for defining borders and many other uses.

Rather than spending money at this time for specialized tools - like beading tools - you need to consider what equipment you have for sharpening.  As with any woodworking tool a dull scraper or gouge is ineffective and, in some cases, dangerous. The spindle gouge and bowl gouge have a thumbnail edge that is difficult to sharpen without a fixture.  It's easy to spend a fortune on grinders like the Tormek system but I bought the Wolverine system from Woodcraft that works just fine for all my tools. I have a 6" grinder with a 120 grit wheel.  An 8" grinder is better but the smaller one works for me.  Much less expensive than the Tormek.

I have a basic Jet lathe and turn horn boxes, horn plugs and necks, music boxes, and canteens.  The basic tools you have plus a scraper or two will allow you to do most anything unless you want to get into deep hollowing for vases, etc. 

[Dan Herda]

All great replies, especially the sharpening aspect. Also for the applied tips you will need a pen mandrel, about 10-15 bux.
For the lathe tools themselves, I have grown to like having a full size set and a micro set that I picked up at wood craft on clearance.
Dont rush into more than you need, start working some projects and you will discover what you like and what you will need as you go.

[fastfrankie]

       
         Above all don't buy a set, half of which you will never use. Take that money and invest in a good sharpening system and a slow speed grinder.

[The Original Griz]

or this;
http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2020310/25134/work-sharp-3000.aspx
I just got one about 8 months ago, trust me when I say it makes things "scary" sharp. I NEVER had lathe tools that are so sharp and work so well. I purchased a set of Robert Shorby's tools, the smaller ones,  and #@!! $#@*, the combination of those 2 are great.

[Brookville]

That's a nice system.  The only thing I didn't see was an attachment for sharpening spindle and bowl gouges.

[Kermit]

On the Worksharp there ain't one. I understand the idea is that you can "see through" the spinning slotted disc so you can see where you are removing metal. That way you can follow the established angles and curves and not take too much off and change the grind. I have no testimony to give on that concept.

[The Original Griz]

On the Worksharp there ain't one. I understand the idea is that you can "see through" the spinning slotted disc so you can see where you are removing metal. That way you can follow the established angles and curves and not take too much off and change the grind. I have no testimony to give on that concept.

Yes and let me tell you, it is a sweet way to see what your doing...
Watch this,

Also, sorry for hijacking this thread, back to lathe tools.....

[PIKELAKE]

Thanks everyone for the input. I think I will add a skew and practice like mad. Now to find some nice wood.   JZ

[Longshot]

A four-jaw chuck is a tool that presents a lot of possibilities to any turner. Some a little pricey, some not so.  Might be worth a look.

[Brookville]

I picked up the Barracuda jaw set from Penn State Industries a few years ago.  They were having a sale and it included four different jaw sizes.  I added a set of Cole Jaws for larger diameter pieces like canteen shells and plates.

About 5 years ago I took a woodturning class at the local Woodcraft store.  Quite useful for a beginning turner if there's a store in your area.  My instructor introduced the skew and said that some turners use it for everything and others use it to open paint cans.  I'm afraid that I'm the latter turner as I've ruined too many projects with that tool.  I guess my problem is patience but I found other, more controllable tools, to do everything that a skew is capable of doing.  My admiration to anyone who's mastered that thing.

[fastfrankie]

     
           The skew is my favorite tool. I have about a half dozen of them from 1-3/8 down to 1/4.

[The Original Griz]

     
           The skew is my favorite tool. I have about a half dozen of them from 1-3/8 down to 1/4.

I was just about to say the same thing, I use a 3/8" skew for just about everything when I turn horn caps...

[Kermit]

Learn to "ride the bevel." Tool rest height adjustment is critical too.

[Marcruger]

Pikelake,  You have certainly heard from some "real horners"!  Best of luck with your project, and post some photos for us when you are done.  Best wishes,  Marc

[The Original Griz]

"real horners"!

That excludes me:), phew.

Just picked up lathe number 4 yesterday from a craigslist ad. Gonna cut the bed down to 4" long and put a regulator on it so I can get the speed down to 100 rpm for screw tips....

[skillman]

I have a lathe I'm doing the same thing with. A small Harbor Freight metal lathe that was incomplete. Has a 4 jaw chuck already on it and electronic speed control that will go from 0 to way to high. I have cut off the bed so it's just the power head and now I need to make a stand to mount it on. Rase made one from an old Craftsman belt driven lathe that is the bees knees.  Show pictures when yours is done. Pleeeeeeze!

Steve

[The Original Griz]

I bought the same lathe, old round tube craftsman.. For what it will be used for they should be great.

[benjaminh123]

Another vote for the skew; difficult for some to learn to use, but the most handy tool of them all.

Benjamin

[Rick Sheets]

TURNING
If you want to mesmerized by a fellow with a skew chisel, you might consider taking a class at Village Restorations and watch Roland Cadle. He can do more with a skew chisel than most can do with a shop full of tools. He and Art DeCamp are excellent instructors and very different in their approach to turning. I am a big fan of the skew since I took the class last year.

http://www.hornguild.org/learn-horn-work/

LATHE
Jeff Bibb chopped down an old Craftsman lathe (and rewired it with a rheostat and stuff) for outboard turning. The arrangement is very slick and a real time saver as well as elevating the quality for the time spent.

Rick

[Horner75]

Their proud of their classes charging $285.00!  Learning to use a skew isn't' that hard.

[eseabee1]

Their proud of their classes charging $285.00!  Learning to use a skew it's that hard.

They teach more then just how to use a skew ..  .. But for anyone wanting to learn horn making the classes are a good place to start . Art DeCamp and Roland Cadle are a great source of info on horn work .. And if you don`t agree with the Horn Guild or what it is about that is your choice .