Hi guys I'm new to the forums

[Jalker]

I'm a old guy that's disabled and looking to start turning some pens for family. Have a life time of working with wood , but not when it's spinning around !
I have a small lathe and mandral - cheapo pen kit some blanks ect. What i need help with is what type chisels will i need. And any recommendations for a set. Or what make i should buy. Don't want to break the bank yet until I find out if my back will stand up to the work.

Thanks keith

 

[Frederick]

I can't offer advice or guidence as I am no where near qualified to do so, but be prepared to become hooked. Turning pens is addictive, very addicitve. Best of luck to you.
Regards
Frederick

 

[Penpal]

Keith pen turning will not heal your body but it will comfort your spirit to do things. All the best in your set up time. Don,t know your geography of where you live but look out for a wood group near you or a member of the forum near you. Welcome from over here.

Peter.

 

[Dalboy]

Buy the best you can afford as better quality will see you through this hobby as well as they tend to hold there prices better. I use normal turning tools these would be the best to buy and then as you progress buy any special tools if the hobby suits you. The two that I use most for pen turning are a roughing gouge and a small skew.

With the correct set up you can do some turning sitting on a stool, but if you can stand for a little while then this is obviously better. Don't forget a sharpening system be it the hunmble bench grinder or the more expensive systems.

 

[Terry Q]

Good advice to find a fellow pen turner. Definitely save you some heart ache. That being said I turn all my pens with 1 of 2 tools. A 3/4 inch shallow spindle gouge with the wings swept back or a 1/2 inch roughing gouge. I had to buy the roughing gouge from Timberbits. Good luck, it's a very satisfying hobby.

 

[Pierre]

Hi and welcome, I tend to use just one tool an Ashley Iles Martin Pidgen all-rounder with a long grind on the wings 12mm 1/2 Martin Pidgen All Rounder (Multi-purpose Gouge) [H68] : Ashley Iles Tool Store it then serves as a roughing gouge and skew as well as being good enough to hold a very fine razor edge. Moreover it holds its edge even with the hardest of woods....And you can turn bowls and spindles with it as well

I don't recommend a set, there are always a couple of tools you will never use, just get those tools you need, then get those tools you fancy.
PG

 

[Phil Dart]

Hi Keith - welcome aboard.

In regard to your question about gouges, there was similar thread earlier this week. Have a look here -
http://www.penturners.co.uk/tools-equipment-and-accessories/21560-gouges-what-buy.html
You may find some additional answers to the ones above.

 

[wm460]

I like the 1/2" Skew, takes a bit of practise at first.

 

[silver]

[MENTION=1864]Jalker[/MENTION].

Welcome on board Keith. I know the moorlands covers a big area but you may not be that far from me.. I worked in the moorlands for nearly 40 years..

Excellent advice above. Another one to consider of a TCT tool, only need one tool and a couple of different bits to fit it..

Very versatile and great to use.

I only use two tools for turning, a square (round edged TCT) and a skew.

A skew will take a bit of getting used too, if you search you tube there is a few videos on there showing technique.

If you need any "hands on help" as you are in the same county then I may be able to pop over and talk you through it. If that's any help.

PM me if you want too.

 

[Jalker]

Thanks for the welcome and all the information. Will go and check prices. Will try out the tct chisels and have ordered the 12MM 1/2" MARTIN PIDGEN ALL ROUNDER (MULTI-PURPOSE GOUGE) . Now time to watch some YouTube videos to learn how to reshape and sharpen said chisel.
I have a 6'' grinder with a 45mm wide white stone on it. Will this be ok ?and again i ask for any advice that will keep my blood pressure down.

Thanks for the help. Keith

 

[Jalker]

Silver

i did try to to PM you but don't think I have the permission to do so.

Keith

 

[Pierre]

Thanks for the welcome and all the information. Will go and check prices. Will try out the tct chisels and have ordered the 12MM 1/2" MARTIN PIDGEN ALL ROUNDER (MULTI-PURPOSE GOUGE) . Now time to watch some YouTube videos to learn how to reshape and sharpen said chisel.
I have a 6'' grinder with a 45mm wide white stone on it. Will this be ok ?and again i ask for any advice that will keep my blood pressure down.

Thanks for the help. Keith

There are many ways of shaping a gouge, here is but one How to sharpen woodturning tools: Spindle/bowl gouges with a homemade jig - YouTube I personally use a tormek, if I remember tomorrow I will take a picture of my reshaped martin pidgen alongside the new one before reshaping so you can see the difference. But at the moment I have a lot on so if I haven't posted within the next 2 days just send me a pm and remind me.


PG

 

[Pierre]

Here you are a reshaped Martin Pidgen all-rounder alongside a new one obviously the top one is the reshaped. Hope that helps



(the difference in length is due to a years sharpening on a Tormek, other systems may take off more metal)




PG

 

[silver]

Sorry [MENTION=1864]Jalker[/MENTION] Only just picking this up.. I will try and PM you from here..

 

[Jalker]

Thanks Pierre
As it's said .. A picture tells a thousand words..

The chisel as been dispatched today hope it arrives tomorrow. I will take my time and try to replicate what you have done to yours.
Thanks for taking the time to upload the pictures it's very much appreciated.

Thanks keith

 

[Penpal]

Cutting back the cheeks works for me as well.

Peter.

 

[Pierre]

There are 2 things to keep in mind; If you are going to use the rounded point then never both sides together, either use the 10 o clock or 2 o clock points ie 10 o clock going left along the wood or 2 o clock going right along the wood and always start by rubbing the bevel. The long 'ears' or sides are what used to be known as an Ellsworth grind and essentially you turn the gouge on its side and if it is sharp you will carve off beautiful tight spiral shavings like a skew but tighter./ If all you make is dust the the tool is not sharp enough and you may be pushing too hard. Remember a sharp tool will cut its own path, the bevel is there to restrict it.

PG