Anyone use carbide chisels for turning?

[DaddyG]

As title says just wondering if anyone uses carbide tipped chisels to turn their pens, I am considering some till I can afford some decent hss chisels and sharpening system.

Am aware I may get two differing opinions but would appreciate advice from anyone using carbide.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Skin-Job]

I do.

However, I should say I'm a beginner and started out using carbide tools.
I don't consider them a 'beginners' or 'placeholder' tool system.
I intend to stay with carbide tools.

They are simple to keep sharp and to sharpen the carbide inserts.

I turn wood, stabilised wood, and synthetics with them. Easily and without issue.

I had some chisels made with specially short handles, which I find easier to use with my little Axminster Precision Pro lathe.

Karl

 

[DaddyG]

Thanks Karl
That's just the feedback I was hoping for!! Am just looking at the min and if I can get carbide tools for starters it frees up a bit more cash for the lathe bits not bobs.

 

[Penpal]

The Global Tooling business sells the cutters for 3.60 each and yes I use my Carbide tools. I am next year to embark on turning fossil a mate in the USA used 20 no these cutters recently on his incredible Fossil pen.

Because the majority of my turning now is pens I cut the handles right down on my chisels a long time ago, it suits my seated high turning so well.

In the UK look for the firms that supply cutters to planers that these days use them by the hundreds. I use 15mm by 15mm by 2.5 mm radius curved very slight curve).

Peter.

 

[Lons]

Yep occasionally and nothing wrong with them, if it suits your style then that's your choice. I don't like using them and find a roughing gouge and skew chisel much better.

 

[Skin-Job]

I had too many carbide tools made when I started out.
I have about 7 different chisels.

I found I mostly use a 15mm circular cutter for fast roughing out, and a similar sized radiused square for smoothing out, and finishing.
I have a smaller circular chisel, and a straight sides square too. But I use them less frequently.
I also have an Easywood micro detailer for incising fine lines and cutting tiny radiuses.

Turning the cutter on the handle to get a new edge is brilliantly handy. Also, sharpening the whole cutter on a diamond stone really extends the working life of the insert cutter.

Karl

 

[wm460]

I use both, I fact Have bought a mob of new inserts just recently.

 

[21William]

I use carbide tools, they’re great. I’ve been turning for many years and have lots of HSS tools as well, they all have their uses.
The problem with some old turners is they’re very set in their ways and don’t like trying anything new.

 

[DaddyG]

Thanks for the feedback looks like I'm going to look for a decent set of carbide tools when I buy everything else, then will save some pennies to buy hss chisels and sharpening system.

By then I guess I will be to far down the slippery to turn back!!! ��

 

[21William]

Probably my most favourite carbide tool is the 9mm round one I made. Bottom tool in this picture.

 

[Skin-Job]

Looks really tidy. Nice tool.

I have one of the dimpled cup shaped cutters on a chisel too. I believe they're designed to cut aluminium.
Found out the hard way not to plunge it even lightly into the work :)
I just use it tilted at an angle for shearing cuts now.

Inspired by this thread I went down and removed all the cutters from the chisels and lapped them all on a diamond stone.

K

 

[21William]

Yes, I resharpen the flat carbide inserts on a diamond plate as well. They actually seem sharper sometimes than when you first get them!

 

[Skin-Job]

Yes, I noticed that too.
Mine certainly seem sharper after I lap them than when new.

Maybe the standard factory sharpening isn't all that......

 

[bigbob]

I use them a lot also the HSS tools too. Was trying to turn my first bowl last month and discovered I need to learn how to use a bowl gouge properly so need to look at a few more videos to learn however the carbide tools worked great. I got a set of Woodcrafts chisels from Glen and also a Hope tool for hollowing.

 

[APH]

My 'go to' tool for pen turning is a 1½" spindle roughing gouge. Nice big handle for control, knocks it down to round in seconds, then finishes as well as a skew and sanding starts at 240 or 320.

I can't see any advantage in using my carbide tools for this purpose, they stay in the drawer.

 

[Walter]

There is nothing wrong with carbide tipped tools and they have their place. They are especially good for end grain hollowing and work well with acrylics.

They are however, essentially scraping rather than cutting tools and you will not find any professional turners who have abandoned their traditional HSS gouges and chisels for carbide tipped tools.

The fact the an American company has named theirs "Easy Wood Tools" is a clue, they are easy to use but much less versatile than traditional tools. Because they use a scraping action they are also more prone to tearing out the grain than cutting tools.

I am sure you well get along just fine with a set, but do buy some HSS tools when you can afford it and learn how to use them. If you only ever use carbide tools you will miss out on much of the subtlety that traditional tools can offer a skilled craftsman.

On the other hand, my own technique is much the same as Paul (APH) I use a 1" roughing gouge from start to finish.

 

[cookie21]

I agree with Walter, I have carbide tools but find them very slow to use compared with a roughing gouge & skew chisel

 

[Skin-Job]

I don't mind carbide tools being slower.

I's a hobby for me, and I enjoy every stage.
For me speed isn't the most important factor.
I don't necessarily want the turning to be over in a few seconds. I want to enjoy what I'm making.

I think that 'each to their own' applies very well here.

While I'm new at pen turning, I make my living making things with my hands.

In leatherworking, for example, there is often the same argument about traditional tools V newer tools and techniques.

The key thing, in my humble opinion, is that if the tool can be used safely and gets you the result you want... it's the right tool.

 

[DaddyG]

Thanks for all the advice, due to my impatience I think I will get a set of carbides so I can get myself turning when I buy the lathe and bits, then save up and get a decent set of hss and sharpening system and then compare and contrast.

Want to try and keep away from tools that are too cheap would rather spend a bit more and have longevity.

 

[Dalboy]

I don't like them after being given a set of three. However I still use them on occasions to remove bulk material from very hard woods just saves all the running back and forth to the grinder. But for 99% of the time traditional HSS tools for me as I feel more in contact with the wood