Small victory

[KenB259]

My wife bought me, quite a few years ago this cute little pen making tool set. I haven't used it much because I really made a mess of the skew while trying to sharpen it. Well I decided that little skew wasn't going to get the best of me so I buckled down and figured out how to clean it up and sharpen it. All it took was to lay my Sorby ProEdge down so I could see better what I was doing and what do you know I have a razor sharp little skew with a perfect profile.

 

[jttheclockman]

There you go. You win. Have to say I have a set that is that small also and use it alot when making my birdhouse ornaments. Especially the finials because they get delicate. I know many people say you can do everything with same large tools but i find better control when working on small items such as those birdhouse ornaments. Looking at your photos again, they look a little larger than the set I have. They work well.

 

[KenB259]

There you go. You win. Have to say I have a set that is that small also and use it alot when making my birdhouse ornaments. Especially the finials because they get delicate. I know many people say you can do everything with same large tools but i find better control when working on small items such as those birdhouse ornaments. Looking at your photos again, they look a little larger than the set I have. They work well.

You know when I very first started making pens, I bought the pen size carbides from Rockler and they are still my preferred tools for pens. I too like smaller tools for delicate work.

 

[jttheclockman]

You know when I very first started making pens, I bought the pen size carbides from Rockler and they are still my preferred tools for pens. I too like smaller tools for delicate work.

Oh I have not seen carbide. Do you have a link. If not I will try to find. Did I ever mention I like tools.

Just took a look and is the set? https://www.rockler.com/carbide-mini-turning-tool-3-piece-set
Do they use smaller cutters or are the same cutters but on a smaller handle??

 

[KenB259]

Oh I have not seen carbide. Do you have a link. If not I will try to find. Did I ever mention I like tools.

Just took a look and is the set? https://www.rockler.com/carbide-mini-turning-tool-3-piece-set
Do they use smaller cutters or are the same cutters but on a smaller handle??

No they are even smaller. Try this link https://www.rockler.com/pen-turning-ergonomic-carbide-turning-tools-3-piece-set. The parting tool in the set is HSS.

 

[mark james]

I like Crown tools, but my preferred set of 'small turning' tools is the mini Sorby's. I have used them for years and still like them. I will admit that I use only 2 of the inserts mainly - the spindle gouge & roughing gouge.

Sorby Mini tool set.

 

[jttheclockman]

No they are even smaller. Try this link https://www.rockler.com/pen-turning-ergonomic-carbide-turning-tools-3-piece-set. The parting tool in the set is HSS.

Thanks. I had to go look what my HSS ones are because I bought those way back when I first started turning. I knew then I wanted to do Dick Sings birdhouse ornaments and not so much pens but that evolved. They are Henry Taylor's from Craft Supply. I checked the price on those carbide cutters and wow they are not cheap. But the good thing is they are smaller. I have bookmarked this thread and when I get back to turning some ornaments I may just get a set of those. Thanks.

 

[KenB259]

Thanks. I had to go look what my HSS ones are because I bought those way back when I first started turning. I knew then I wanted to do Dick Sings birdhouse ornaments and not so much pens but that evolved. They are Henry Taylor's from Craft Supply. I checked the price on those carbide cutters and wow they are not cheap. But the good thing is they are smaller. I have bookmarked this thread and when I get back to turning some ornaments I may just get a set of those. Thanks.

When I bought mine they were on sale. Keep an eye out , they put them on sale quite often and you can buy carbide inserts that fit other places than Rockler. Their carbide prices are insanely high.

 

[InkyMike]

When I bought mine they were on sale. Keep an eye out , they put them on sale quite often and you can buy carbide inserts that fit other places than Rockler. Their carbide prices are insanely high.

AZ Carbide seems to be one of the more popular places to get inserts. I've even had luck with some of the cheaper ones off Amazon.

 

[KenB259]

AZ Carbide seems to be one of the more popular places to get inserts. I've even had luck with some of the cheaper ones off Amazon.

Yes, this is where I buy mine too.