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New Products » No-Sharpen Lathe Chisels
No-Sharpen Lathe Chisels
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Posted: February 17, 2010
When I'm teaching students to use a lathe, sharpening is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome. Like any woodworking tool, a sharp chisel is much easier and safer to use than a dull one. You just can't expect good cut quality, or an enjoyable turning experience, from a dull chisel. Unfortunately, lots of turners struggle with sharpening.
The new lathe chisels from Easy Wood Tools take sharpening lathe chisels out of the turning picture. Instead of a high speed or tool steel tip, the Easy Wood Tools lathe chisels have a replaceable carbide tip. When it gets dull, simply reposition it to get a fresh edge on the tip. Once the entire cutting surface has been dulled, the tip gets replaced. Replacement tips cost from $14 to $18.
The Easy Wood Tools can be used for bowl or spindle work, and are available with both square and round cutting tips. I'll be 'test driving' these chisels soon, but I recently watched a group of brand new turners make pens using these chisels, and they worked great. No catches, great cuts, easy to use. You really can't ask for more from a lathe chisel. Prices range from $90 to $172, depending on the chisel.
Easy Wood Tools
(270) 903-4270
5 Comments
Posted February 21, 2010 // 7:17 PM Great article very useful
Posted February 22, 2010 // 6:58 PM I think I would rather use high speed steel. Why? Accept for a few special tools I can pick up entire sets of tools for about what one of you replaceable bits cost at garage sales. I have a set of 12 in my shop right now that cost $20 that $1.66 a piece. & I have a Wolverine jig & a few hones to keep them sharp. Maybe in a teaching situation it may b worth it.
Posted March 02, 2010 // 12:31 PM I've been turning for about a year -- mostly pens of which at least half are plastic or Corian. The primary complaint I have is the continuous need to sharpen my chisels, and no matter how many times I do it, they never seem as sharp as they could be. Plus, I never really know if they've been sharpened properly. I recently got a carbide-tipped chisel (round) and it is the best purchase of my life! Not having to think about whether my chisel needs to be sharpened while I'm turning is a huge relief and makes turning even more fun.
I have several lathe tools. Some are old some new. The old ones were purchased at flea markets and yard sales at a very low price. These I used to practice sharpening the various grinds. In a short time with the help of a few handmade jigs, I was able to achieve sharp edges. Once the edges are at the proper angle it's easy to keep them sharp by honing. These knew tools are way, way overpriced. Experience is not gained by the throwaway mentality.
I have several lathe tools. Some are old some new. The old ones were purchased at flea markets and yard sales at a very low price. These I used to practice sharpening the various grinds. In a short time with the help of a few handmade jigs, I was able to achieve sharp edges. Once the edges are at the proper angle it's easy to keep them sharp by honing. These knew tools are way, way overpriced. Experience is not gained by the throwaway mentality.