Home Made carbide tool Question

[reddwil]

After reading some of the post by some of you guys that had made your on tools, I made a few my self. I ordered some cutters and bought some quality stock and had at it. Made a Couple different lengths with one round and two square. They work great. I stopped by one of the well known wood stores today. While I was there, I bought a round cutter to make another tool. The salesman asked me what brand tool I had. I told him I made my own. Holy crap did that guy go off on me. I got a lecture on how dangerous it was and that I should trash them before I got hurt. He actually held the cutter in his hand like he wasn't going to let me have it. I let him gone on for a few minutes, and asked for the owner. That changed his tune quick. The owner actually gave me 15% off my purchase and apologized.

My question. Those that have made your on carbide tools, Any problems that one should be aware of? Any injuries? Learning mistakes? Please share

[jd99]

The guy was just jealous cause he didn't know how to make one him self.

[mb007]

I think if you have a solidly-built tool, you should be fine. I've only used mine a few times so far, but it's felt every bit as solid as a commercial one I've used (EWT). As long as your carbide insert is properly seated/supported and the bar isn't flexing, I don't see how it's any more unsafe than a purchased one.

That said, I've made it a habit to wear a face shield when using tools with carbide inserts, purchased or homemade.

[glycerine]

No problems with mine, but I have heard of some screw heads shearing and the cutter flying off... That could definitely be dangerous!

[Fibonacci]

I have worn out several cutters on my homemade one with no problems.

[PTsideshow]

If it was at a metal tool place, they generally don't have a clue about wood turning. If it was at a wood working place I have found that other than WoodCraft/Rockler. The sales people may not have a clue about wood working. Other than making sure that your screw and the threads in the holder are a good fit, and checking the tightness of the screw. I know of only operator errors is causing damage.

[mredburn]

There is a possibility that if you dont have support behind the cutter for lateral thrust the set screw could shear or break off when you push in. If you were just plain sloppy making it and the seat for the cutter isnt flat, etc. you coulde have problems.
You will find that a lot of people get all excited when you do something they would never do themselves. Your salesman believed every word he said.

[Florida Marine]

Given the fact that I have a mini-mill now, this on my soon to do list. If I had a tool like that guy even mouth off to me like that, I am not sure what I would do - my temper would have been tough to control.

Sadly its a wider problem, self sufficiency is being bred out of us.

I have a bad habit of collecting hobbies because I don't like not knowing how something is done. There isn't much I haven't at least given a try to - home AC being about the biggest thing I won't mess with.

[GoatRider]

Originally Posted by Florida Marine

I have a bad habit of collecting hobbies because I don't like not knowing how something is done.

You say that like it's a bad thing. Collecting hobbies IS my hobby.

[Florida Marine]

Originally Posted by GoatRider

You say that like it's a bad thing. Collecting hobbies IS my hobby.

It is when you move every three years and have a weight limit to what you can move!

We've done DITY - do it yourself moves the last two. After the last one, the wife said THAT'S IT. We moved 26k in "stuff" - issue being I only rate 17K as a LtCol. So somehow before we move again, we gotta parse 10k from somewhere!