Tool Recommendations

[Mapster]

At the moment, I have entry level carbon steel tools, and after trying to turn an m3, I realized I need an upgrade. I have seen a lot of different recommendations and was looking into more options. Unfortunately, I have a pretty tight budget. I only turn pens, but turn every material from wood to tru-stone to m3. Looking for about $40 or less. Also looking for an easier way to turn m3 because it looks so good.

Marshall

 

[Aerotech]

i hate to answer a question with a question but..... What is M3???

 

[Mapster]

M3 is macro molecular metal. Metal brought down to an atomic level and annodized and bonded with other stuff so you can supposedly turn them with normal woodworking tools. http://www.metalpenblanks.com/index.htm you should check it out.

 

[bitshird]

You might consider a tool that R and b crafts,recommends, they sell a lot of M3 and tru stone, it's a bit over you price range but will cut most pen making materials with ease.http://www.randbcrafts.com/main_page.html

 

[Mapster]

I have been researching it, and it looks nice, but is fairly pricy. Don't you sell that cheaper? If you have some insider information about how great they are, please post it or pm me. I am open to anything good and that sounds like it is good, but I don't know.

 

[PenMan1]

You said "about $40". I think the Benjamin's Best CARBIDE pen set for just over $40 is a good set. You can buy the BB carbide pen gouge and skew for about $40 and make your own parting knife from a hacksaw blade, steak knife. or sawsall blade.

 

[tim self]

Of course this just my opinion BUT, IF you wanna turn harder material, you have to have a tool designed to eat up anything. http://www.penturners.org/forum/showthread.php?t=53620&highlight=woodchuck I have the full size version and have not had second thoughts even once! Save up a few more bucks and get the better tool. Not to mention it will replace a few tools in the mean time.

 

[Allenk]

At the moment, I have entry level carbon steel tools, and after trying to turn an m3, I realized I need an upgrade. I have seen a lot of different recommendations and was looking into more options. Unfortunately, I have a pretty tight budget. I only turn pens, but turn every material from wood to tru-stone to m3. Looking for about $40 or less. Also looking for an easier way to turn m3 because it looks so good.

Marshall

If you're looking for something around the $40 range, you can't beat Benjamin's Best, from Penn State Industries. I've just received my first ones from them, and have sharpened all three. I also sharpened BB spindle and bowl gouges for a friend of mine, and I can tell you they are labeled M2 high speed steel. I've got several other tools... Doug Thompson's gouges, Crown Pro PM gouges, Pinnacle gouges, and I can tell you that they all sharpen the same. Don't know how long they last, when cutting, but for $40 range, I don't think they can be beat.
I have turned the seal shoulder on my bomb trailer wheels using M2 HSS cutters in an Oland Tool. If you order the HSS cutters with 10% Carbon, they'll cut steel a lot better than the normal HSS cutters. I've cut Steel, Aluminum, Copper, and Brass with those, and they'll cut the M3 without a problem.
All that said, if I had had a little more money to spend at this time on tools, I'd have bought Doug Thompson's. They are the best money can buy, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[smitty]

If you look around you can get a carbide insert tool for right under 40 dollars. They cut tru stone very nice.

 

[Mark]

I voted Spindle Gouge. I used my 3/4" for everything, until I got the Woodchuck Pen Pro.

I'd have said the Woodchuck Pen Pro was the way to go, but not for $40.