Turning tools

[Frederick]

Hi all

I was wondering what tools most pen turners used. I have a set of Axminster [
ATTACH]37155[/ATTACH]

These are made from HSS and appear to work OK but don't seem to keep their edge
for long; especially when working with Acrylic. I have had to sharpen them so many times
now that they are half the original length.

I have purchased a set of Tungsten Carbide tipped tools and have only used them a couple of times.
I am not sure if I have made the right decision here as they do take some getting used to.

I was wondering what other turners use or have any tips etc.

Regards
Frederick

 

[Penpal]

WEll worth getting used to the Carbide tools. My method is as close as possible from the tool rest and just below dead centre for them. Bear in mind they can be sharpened on the flat on a fine diamond plate or file. If you use a diamond file to dress the ordinary chisels between grinds it helps a great deal.

Peter.

 

[Bammer]

I use HSS tools 90% of the time.

The term Acrylics is misleading. There are various types. Epoxy and Alumilite are kinda to tools than Polyester. I don't think you should have to sharpen during turning a pen for these, perhaps after each would be good.

What are you sharpening with ? Perhaps your sharpening technique or the machine you are using is the reason they are wearing down or that you have to keep sharpening

 

[Phil Dart]

I have no experience of Axminster's I'm afraid so I can't comment on them specifically, but HSS tools do vary in quality - some makes are better than others. However, I have been through quite a few different makes over the years and the ones I generally buy now are Ashley Isles, precisely for the reason you mention - I have found that they hold their edge for the longest without going overboard on price for some of these super-duper, hyped up tools that you see advertised, which are probably not much better.

 

[Dibbs]

Are those the pen making tools? There's no point to them in my opinion. It's no harder to turn using full size tools and they have much longer shafts to sharpen away. That would help for a start.

Do you ever got the edge red hot while sharpening? That can anneal the steel and make it wear faster too. It's not the end of the world because it will probably only be annealed for a couple of mm then you're back to the hard stuff. M42 HSS is pretty much immune from that problem. You'd have to keep it red hot for a couple of hours to anneal it. It holds an edge longer as well but it's more expensive .

 

[Penpal]

I sharpen like my Violin playing friends lightly with a great deal of care,my chisels last for many years. Dressing in between with a Diamond plate or file pays dividends.A light touch is the best way to turn.A mate in the USA used over twenty four way cutters to turn his Mammoth Tooth pen ,I used but one (took me 4 hrs to turn) as the four faces dulled I placed it face down on a diamond file ,a few rubs,back in business,still using that one four way cutter.

Peter.

 

[Frederick]

WEll worth getting used to the Carbide tools. My method is as close as possible from the tool rest and just below dead centre for them. Bear in mind they can be sharpened on the flat on a fine diamond plate or file. If you use a diamond file to dress the ordinary chisels between grinds it helps a great deal.

Peter.

Thanks Peter. I do have a diamond plate with 300 one side and 1000 the other.
Thanks for the info. Perhaps I will try a maintenance sharpen between grinds.

Cheers

 

[Frederick]

Are those the pen making tools? There's no point to them in my opinion. It's no harder to turn using full size tools and they have much longer shafts to sharpen away. That would help for a start.

Do you ever got the edge red hot while sharpening? That can anneal the steel and make it wear faster too. It's not the end of the world because it will probably only be annealed for a couple of mm then you're back to the hard stuff. M42 HSS is pretty much immune from that problem. You'd have to keep it red hot for a couple of hours to anneal it. It holds an edge longer as well but it's more expensive .

Thanks Ian. They are pen turning tools but cheap ones I think. I don't over heat the tips when grinding and always have water close by to keep the items cool. I thought HSS was HSS and that was it. I was totally unaware that there are different grades. I think mine must be of inferior steel. I am no great sharpener but I do manage to obtain a reasonable edge. I am now going to do maintenance between jobs with a diamond plate as advised here.

Thanks.

 

[Antcha]

I have a credit card sized diamond stone that I use to hone my chisels between grinds.