Carbide tipped tools?

[Gordon]

Currently I turn with standard wood lathe tools, but was wondering about the use of replaceable carbide tipped tools. Are they worth the investment? Do they give a better finish?

Would like to hear your thoughts before considering purchasing a set of these tools.

 

[alan morrison]

Gordon, if you were just starting out with no tools and you just wanted to turn pens I would say go ahead with the carbide, but seeing as you already have your own standard lathe tools why not keep on with them?
I started off with carbide and am still using them, and like them, but then I only am turning pens, generally.
I think that there is no difference in the finishing. ( others may disagree ! )
I finish my pens using a shearing cut with a radiused square carbide.

Alan

 

[flexi]

You may hear many views on the right and wrongs on this and that, but ultimately you need to be comfortable with whatever you use.
I have always used a set of Crown midi hss gouge, skew & parting tool, the game changer for me was learning how to sharpen these properly, consistently and frequently. The advantage of tct is they remain sharper for longer and can be replaced easily, that said they still need to be presented correctly to work well....
So ultimately its your call, don't think tct will solve all your problems, but likewise unless you learn how to sharpen properly (and it's not difficult) Hss won't either

 

[Phil Dart]

Carbide tools are essentially just scrapers that stay sharper for longer than HSS tools.

For myself, I find they have a use in certain applications - I find that turning ebonite for instance, is much easier with TCT than with HSS, because ebonite blunts HSS in nano-seconds, and I usually put the final cut on an acrylic with a TCT, used as a shear scraper as Alan mentioned above. I could use HSS for both of those however, but the "stays sharp for longer" part is quite handy, especially with ebonite.

I have to say though, that if you know how to use traditional gouges, and you know how to sharpen them, unless you need a TCT for a specific task, you will be a much more versatile turner if you stick with the traditional tools. I own use both, and in my opinion there is no advantage in TCT unless you need a sharp tool right at that moment.

The advise I would normally give is similar to the previous two answers. If you've never turned and you want to make something today, get a carbide - the learning curve is minimal compared to traditional tools. However, if you know how to turn, and you're comfortable with traditional tools, stick with them.

(Carbide tools do go blunt by the way, and you do have to sharpen them)

 

[Bill Mooney]

What they said.

 

[TVS]

I have both standard and carbide they both have a place and use but in saying that I still prefer my old standard tools I automatically just go for them but is that familiarity about the only time I reach for the carbide is if I turn a material like Ebonite or metal as I said they both have a place

 

[Dalboy]

The only time I use carbide is metal turning. For wood turning personally I hate them. I have a set of three which were given to me and they sit in the cupboard collecting dust

 

[Garno]

I've tried using both and it has to be said I was hopeless with both as well.
I also can't cut a piece of wood straight with a saw either, in fact when I cut a sandwich in half that is rarely straight

 

[flexi]

Don't put yourself down Gary... We love you really!

 

[Gordon]

Thanks for all the comments guys, I think I'll stick with the traditional tools for the time being. Thanks for the thoughts and advice.

 

[21William]

Carbide tools are unbeatable for some applications like hollowing or when working with hard materials. They are also much easier to use than some conventional tools. One of my favourite carbide inserts is the little 6mm cupped ones which sadly can’t be resharpened. Luckily they do last a long time.

 

[Penpal]

I use both once when turning a Mammoth Tooth the Carbide saved me a Motza,I used but on cutter,I removed it as the four surfaces blunted placed the cutter fave down on a Diamond file and after a few strokes back on the job.A mate of mine in America used up twenty cutters on his Mammoth Tooth pen so In accord with my respected friends answer it is simply said Horses for Courses.