I've been seeing other posts about people making their own carbide tools, so decided to try one myself using the ideas I've seen others incorporate. I used it a bit this morning and i'm very happy with it.
I had some aluminum laying around, can't even remember what i had planed on using it for, i cut that, shaped it on the sander, and just stuck in on with some CA glue for now. Seeing that piece of carbide on the end, I felt like i was going to get it caught on something (my finger maybe) if i didn't shield it a little bit. I like it there and if/when it eventually comes off, i would probably look to tap another hole and screw it on. I also didn't do a great job of matching up the angle, but it works.
I also didn't like the options i found for making the hole for the bar to go in - cutting larger holes, making shims, etc. What i ended up doing was drilling a 1/2 inch hole and taking a 1/4 inch chisel and making the hole a square one. the bar fit in good and was 'hammer tight.' I added some gorilla glue and hammered the ferrule on.
I tried to make the handle shape after another of my tools that is most comfortable to me, then added an extra piece on the end. I thought about shortening it, but glad i didn't after using it. I'm happy with the length and weight for roughing.
Rounded up, here are the specifics of materials i have in it. I would hope these are specific enough that if you want to do this yourself, you can.
AZ carbide - carbide cutter - $6 each, $2 shipping
Lowes - Copper coupler $4 - would make two ferules(i had a brass ferule but it wasn't big enough). Dewalt #29 drill and 8-32 tap $6
McMaster Carr - 1/2 sq x 1 foot steel bar - Part number 9143K17 - $5 Each, but paid $9 shipping on two.
Woodcraft - Hard Maple 2"x2"x12" spindle - special at $2 bucks.
So i have less that 34 bucks in.
One more thing - The taped hole had to be countersunk a little for the screw to hold the carbide cutter tight on the bar. I didn't have anything to do this, so i took a dull carbide cutter from my smaller EWT easy start rougher, holding it at 45 degrees with a pair of pliers, and just reamed it out.
I had some aluminum laying around, can't even remember what i had planed on using it for, i cut that, shaped it on the sander, and just stuck in on with some CA glue for now. Seeing that piece of carbide on the end, I felt like i was going to get it caught on something (my finger maybe) if i didn't shield it a little bit. I like it there and if/when it eventually comes off, i would probably look to tap another hole and screw it on. I also didn't do a great job of matching up the angle, but it works.
I also didn't like the options i found for making the hole for the bar to go in - cutting larger holes, making shims, etc. What i ended up doing was drilling a 1/2 inch hole and taking a 1/4 inch chisel and making the hole a square one. the bar fit in good and was 'hammer tight.' I added some gorilla glue and hammered the ferrule on.
I tried to make the handle shape after another of my tools that is most comfortable to me, then added an extra piece on the end. I thought about shortening it, but glad i didn't after using it. I'm happy with the length and weight for roughing.
Rounded up, here are the specifics of materials i have in it. I would hope these are specific enough that if you want to do this yourself, you can.
AZ carbide - carbide cutter - $6 each, $2 shipping
Lowes - Copper coupler $4 - would make two ferules(i had a brass ferule but it wasn't big enough). Dewalt #29 drill and 8-32 tap $6
McMaster Carr - 1/2 sq x 1 foot steel bar - Part number 9143K17 - $5 Each, but paid $9 shipping on two.
Woodcraft - Hard Maple 2"x2"x12" spindle - special at $2 bucks.
So i have less that 34 bucks in.
One more thing - The taped hole had to be countersunk a little for the screw to hold the carbide cutter tight on the bar. I didn't have anything to do this, so i took a dull carbide cutter from my smaller EWT easy start rougher, holding it at 45 degrees with a pair of pliers, and just reamed it out.
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