My Carbide Tool Handles

[shastastan]

Here's a pic of the handles I made for my Harrison Specialties carbide tools. This was my 1st and only attempt to turn handles. They are from some scrap walnut stock that a friend gave me. The metal and black handles are from Harrison. The black one is way too long for my small projects and I only have a Jet 1014vs mini lathe now. The shorter tool with the metal handle is their pen tool.

 

[The Penguin]

wish I had friends that had scrap walnut!

 

[Ted iin Michigan]

Nice work! What did you use for the ferrules?

 

[shastastan]

Thanks. I bought the brass ferrules at CSUSA. They were $3 each which I think is a little pricey. Had I thought of it, I probably would have just bought some copper pipe at the hardware store and used that. The brass is thicker though. I should have cut a tenon for one, but didn't think of it in time. As you can see, I'm still a rookie on this stuff.

 

[shastastan]

These were about 3' long and 2.5" square. I'm glad I had them available to use for the handles.

 

[LeeR]

Thanks. I bought the brass ferrules at CSUSA. They were $3 each which I think is a little pricey. Had I thought of it, I probably would have just bought some copper pipe at the hardware store and used that. The brass is thicker though. I should have cut a tenon for one, but didn't think of it in time. As you can see, I'm still a rookie on this stuff.

Those look great! Handles can be addictive. I look at every tool with a handle and think about turning a new one for it!

Here are two reversible screwdrivers I made, using copper for ferrules. I used a coupler, and sawed it in half for one. The couplers are nice and thick. The one with the rounded end is a pipe cap and I just drilled out the end for the tool. Even at today's super-high copper prices, these are cheaper than brass ferrules from the woodworking stores. I don't remember where I bought mine, but I was disappointed in how thin they are.

The other item to try is a brass compression fitting hex nut. You can turn the hex shape round, or leave as -is for a unique look.

 

[mark james]

Really nice! I also use a short metal tool for my pens (Sorby micro) and I fend it feels better to me. It is very similar to yours. But... you will get use out of the longer tools (If not, I'll PM you my address... :tongue

Nice job.

 

[mark james]

LeeR.

LOVE your tool handles...(Had to be specific ) Life is too short, why use cheap screwdrivers when you can turn them into tools like those. And the days of throwing them into a toolbox is done!!! Place carefully with respect...

I LIKE!

 

[shastastan]

@Lee. Those screwdriver handles are beeeyoootiful, Lee! If I was able to make some like that, I would not be able to bring myself to every use them . Great idea using the copper and really looks nice!

@Mark. I have the Sorby micro handle too that I use for a spindle gougle and roughing gouge. The big black interchangeable handle that came with the Harrison set was just too big for me to use with my Jet mini lathe. If I had a full size lathe, I'm sure I would use it on large turnings. Harrison did suggest their pen handle (shown in the pic). I tried it with the long tools, but didn't like the balance. I then decided to make my own handles which I had never done before. I think that I would have enjoyed making them more on a full size lathe though. The Jet mini bed is too short to use to drill the tang holes with a drill chuck in the tail stock. If fact, there's barely enough bed available for the tail stock when turning a 12" handle.

 

[LeeR]

Thanks for the nice comments. And Mark, thanks for clarifying ...

I gave those screwdrivers away to "tool guys" in the family. But I warned them that they better take care of them! I think I did warn them not to just throw into the toolbox. Maybe I should have provided them with velvet slipcovers!

If anyone is interested, I buy these screwdrivers at Home Depot. They have an orange plastic handle and I just "Dremel" it off. There is a metal socket in the handle that gets glued into the new handle. These sell for $1.99.

Or you can buy the same thing in kit form from Rockler for $6.99 ... Me? I'm cheap so I buy the HD ones! Harbor Freight usually has similar ones for about the same price.

 

[shastastan]

@Lee. I have one of those orange reversible screwdrivers from HF. I use it mainly to pry can caps off. I've got finish stuff all over the shank. So like I said, I wouldn't be using one of your exquisite ones that.

Stan