Best value on mini chisels?

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ossaguy

ossaguy

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Hi all,

I enjoy trying to make other things other than pens with my lathe,and recently I have been making the PSI wire picture holders that look like a bottle stopper with a decorative wire holder sticking out the top.I like to try to make intricate designs.I also I want to make fridge magnets,& stoppers.

I only have 3 tools plus a parting tool,so I'm kinda limited in what I can do on small things like these,so I was wondering about getting a mini chisel set.There are a lot to choose from,so I thought I'd ask in here to see what you all use.

Also,how about sharpening? Is there any mini carbide tools?


Thanks for any suggestions!

Steve
 
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Well, based on my experience, I'd recommend passing on the mini-chisels altogether. The smaller chisels don't really enable you to do more detailed work, and they are harder to control. I do use a narrow parting tool, but all my other working chisels are full-size.

Regards,
Eric
 
Here is a link to the set I use

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/l_woodturningminitoolset.htm

Be warned, these are much harder to handle as they are smaller in size and don't resist vibration as well.

The shopsmith set is similar in size and construction to these from Penn State. The PSI set is much less expensive.

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LCMINI2.html

PSI also has a set of 3 in carbide http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LCPM3CAR.html

With carbide tools remember to support the carbide portion on the tool rest so it doesn't break or chip off.
 
A few months ago I picked up this 5 piece "mini" set from Woodcraft.

5 Piece "Mini" Turning Tool Set

This set includes 1/8" and 1/4" spindle gouges, 1/8" parting tool, 1/4" round nose scraper, and 1/4" skew chisel. I bought it on sale for 50% off and thought it would be great for pens, fly reel handles and other small stuff I love to make. After using them for awhile I wouldn't have a problem paying full price for them. The handles are small but nice and are appropriate for the tool size. They hold an edge as well as anything else. I usually just touch up the edges by hand as it's really easy to grind them down too quickly, especially the 1/8 gouge. The parting tool has been great for pens. Even the little skew has come in handy. I didn't think I'd ever touch the 1/8 spindle gouge but I've played around with it and made some really fine cuts on tiny pieces. I did change the grind on it as mine was dinged up and almost unusable. I haven't used the scraper much. I'm happy I bought the set and it compliments my bigger tool nicely.

Woodcraft also has another 5 piece mini set here:

Pinnacle Cryogenic 5 pc Miniature Set

A definite step up from the Woodriver tools but for $70 more. Looks likes the same types of tools. I know Penn State sells some carbide tipped tools made for pens so they're smaller. i have a few of their normal tools which work great for the price. They're not much too look at but hey, it's just a tool.

^^ike
 
I'd suggest avoiding the small kit for the things you've listed. The small tools need tool rest support very close to the turnings or will give you too much chatter. A 5/16", 3/8", or 7/16" detail or spindle gouge would work great for these turnings - I tend to stick with the larger tools; I still grab my 1/2" Sorby bowl gouge for some of these smaller turnings too, but it won't get into the tight areas like a detail gouge will. Consider a tool with a shorter handle, like the Henry Taylor tools, or buy un-handled and turn your own. I like the P&N tools available from several of the turning suppliers. Doug Thompson also makes a great tool sold un-handled. If you plan on doing small spindle work and intricate designs, including finials for ornaments, find a 3/8" round HSS tool bit and make yourself a round skew, and a 1/4" round tool bit and make a 3 point tool. And if you really want to have fun decorating, try the Elf -- I watched it demo'd at the Utah symposium and was very close to buying it but my budget was running thin that week -- I still might one day.

Unless you are planning on turning mini (doll house furniture) or micro, the small kits might not be used as much as you had originally hoped for. If you do want to try mini tools for smaller work, try to buy only the tools you want individually instead of as a kit.
 
I'd avoid mini tools.

I use my 1" skew all the time for detail work. I also have a 1/2" skew I use, but the 1" gets used more. Same for my other tools.

Larger tools will last longer, and they have more mass to avoid chatter and make smoother cuts. The longer handles allow you to have more precise control too.

Skip the little tools. You can make small products with big tools, but you can't make large products with small tools.
 
I use mini tools for making miniatures and I also buy round and square HSS from Enco and make my own small tools. I also make tiny tools from concrete nails and allen wrenches so that I can make tiny hollow forms.
 
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