Returning to Pen turning

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Skip_Evans

Member
Joined
May 16, 2005
Messages
90
Location
Alvin, Tx, USA.
After turning large segmented vessels for years, I want to return to Pen Turning.
Is there a Houston chapter that I can visit?
I notice people are now using carbide cutters. Are they better/more efficient that HSS.
Skip....
 
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Skip_Evans said:
After turning large segmented vessels for years, I want to return to Pen Turning.
Is there a Houston chapter that I can visit?
I notice people are now using carbide cutters. Are they better/more efficient that HSS.
Skip....
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HSS and carbide work equally well. I have both and barely touch my HSS tools anymore.
 
Check around with your local woodworking stores, they may have someone there who leads a penmaking class or at least can provide local guidance.

Honestly, I've learned a lot through osmosis on this site too.
 
howsitwork said:
Missing an opportunity there to STRESS the fuel saving and benefits to the planet of its new location. 😉
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However....in the same shopping center is Ollie's Bargain Outlet. We do double duty. She drops me off at WC, goes to Ollie's and shops. When she is done, she makes her appearance at WC. The negative is our credit card which has both listed each month...or two...or three.
 
Welcome back! I recently returned as well after not doing hardly any turning for the better part of 5 years. I quickly ran into the same "traditional/HSS vs carbide" tools debate. Some people have religion about it. After having tried both, I find that for wood I almost always prefer HSS tools, which I touch up frequently to keep very sharp. My impression is that there's a much higher skill ceiling for using traditional gouges, scrapers, and the skew chisel than there is with carbide insert tools, and I am enjoying seeing my skills improve in that regard as I keep turning. Getting a surface that I don't have to sand lower than 400 or 600 grit from a really good finishing cut with my skew is a very satisfying thing.

That said, I have a 2R carbide square tool that I will use for acrylics and other very hard materials (TruStone comes to mind). It works great, and if you find you like carbide tools better, more power to you!
 
I am seeing more and more videos of carbide inserts used in larger turnings. And I use carbide and HSS. For the finish turning, I use the HSS since I can control the sharpness (I am obsessive with sharpness), and it is the fine sharpness that makes for smoothest wood and less need for sanding.
 
sorcerertd said:
Welcome back!
I've used both. I prefer HSS, but hate sharpening. So carbide wins that one. I still feel like HSS cuts cleaner, as Hank said.
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It's a fact that you can get a finer edge on HSS . Carbon steel gives a finer edge still but this is rapidly lost in use hence the popularity of HSS.

I admit to buying some carbide hollowing tools and being impressed . Not tried them on hybrid or acrylic blanks yet as I am very comfortable with my HSS tools.

I do like ring tools for end grain hollowing but that was a whole new journey of pain / experience to master . Sharpening them is a total PITA ! They actually allow you to bevel rub whilst hollowing deep leaving a 180 grit equivalent finish in ash , I was amazed !

Sorry wandered a bit there 😊
 
BHuij said:
Welcome back! I recently returned as well after not doing hardly any turning for the better part of 5 years. I quickly ran into the same "traditional/HSS vs carbide" tools debate. Some people have religion about it. After having tried both, I find that for wood I almost always prefer HSS tools, which I touch up frequently to keepis very sharp. My impression is that there's a much higher skill ceiling for using traditional gouges, scrapers, and the skew chisel than there is with carbide insert tools, and I am enjoying seeing my skills improve in that regard as I keep turning. Getting a surface that I don't have to sand lower than 400 or 600 grit from a really good finishing cut with my skew is a very satisfying thing.

That said, I have a 2R carbide square tool that I will use for acrylics and other very hard materials (TruStone comes to mind). It works great, and if you find you like carbide tools better, more power to you!
Click to expand...
I have long been an advocate of classic metal tools (lots of different variants) and am insistent that they all be scary sharp when in use, but I've adjusted with my resin based pens vs classis wood turning. I find that I get better, more predictable penturning results with carbide tools in most cases. Your comment on the square carbide got my attention. I started out only with a square one as well, but have added a second slightly radiused square - ish cutter that gets more use. My square cutter is the choice when looking for perfect 90 degree cuts, like a tenon, but the radiused square cutter is my go-to for initial turndowns and shaping, combined with a fully round cutter. The radiused cutter doesn't grab as much, reduces tear out and leaves a nice finish. On the true square I use both the front and side edges simultaneously for clean angles to give nice fits on mating pieces where they might be threaded or further processed. I got past my belief that the radius was a 'gimmick' and found it really added value.
 
Mark Dreyer introduced me to his method for pen turning with carbide a couple years ago and that's been the basis of my method since. He has a segment on his youtube channel called 10 Minutes to Better Penturning about it. I use my round cutter for pretty much everything and then swap to a radius square cutter if I feel I need it. Usually on resin I'll use it as I get close to final shape to make sure everything is smoothed out. I'll do the same on wood some of the time.
 
Saw a demo with carbide tools at Woodcraft a while back. They definitely have their place. Like the ones with the common handle and collet. Just change the tool. All my tools are HSS and a grinder is a step or two from the lathe. Once the tool is configured to the desired shape as the Irish grind, it only takes a few seconds to touch up the edge. Learning to sharpen freehand to save time. I have used the DMT diamond files to touch up a tool, too. Have seen Mark's videos...need to take a look-see.
 
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