What chisel brand do I buy????

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
A

Austinj

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2008
Messages
5
Location
Madison, Alabama, USA.
OK, here's the first of many questions. With all the choices of chisels on the market, how do you decide which one to buy? I read back about 6 months in the forums and didn't see anything so I'm asking. Do I need to invest in something to sharpen them too, that's one thing I did read, that you sharpen because it can always be sharper. If so, what kind of sharpener should I look at? Thanks in advance for your help

Jay
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Buy the best tools you can. If you buy cheep, you'll regret it in the long run. A good chisel made from HSS (high speed steel) is a good bet. There are a bunch of brands to choose from. They don't have to be a hundred dollars a piece either, some mid quality tools still offer good value for the money. And to be honest, the biggest diff is the interval between sharpenings. I recently picked up a Sorby oval skew. It was the better part of $60.00, but it cuts like a razor. My cheaper tools have to be sharpened too often. Some times several times during one project.
Others will come along with good info soon. Take all the info and blend it top make your decision.
 
Which brand is far less important than being able to keep them sharp. A sharp screwdriver will cut better than a dull $100 chisel.
 
Many turners start out with something as inexpensive as a set of Harbor Freight tools. As mentioned above as long as they are HSS you'll do ok. Later on after you've become familar with and know which tools you are comfortable turning with, invest in the best tool you can afford. As both Steve and Karl mentioned the better the tool the longer intervals between sharping.(depending on what you're turning.........lol) I personally use the Robert Sorby tools. I've got both a 1/2" and a 1" oval skew and like them. I've never tried the P and N that Karl uses but I've read great things about them. I don't have a sharpening system as such I do any rough sharpening on a low speed grinder and then hone them up on a diamond stone by hand but a Tormek or Wolverine sharpening system would propably be a good investment if you find yourself using gouges a lot. Somebody feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on this point. :D A sharp tool takes less effort to cut so you apply less force. Less force give you a more smmyetrical finished product. Out of round blanks will be something you'll read about as you peruse this forum. IMHO dull tools are the #1 culprit of this or at least it has been for me :D
 
My wife got me a Hunter #4 for Christmas and I don't use my 3/4 gouge anymore. This Hunter tool is great. I use it to get the blank round and very close to final size. Then I use a skew and 1/4 gouge. One nice thing with the Hunter is that it keeps its edge nicely and when it starts to get dull, just loosen the screw and rotate the cutter on it. Then you have a new sharp edge. When it gets dull all around the cutter, buy a new one for $20.
 
Depends on your budget.

I still use the Harbor Freight HSS set I originally bought 5 years ago and they are still almost full sized. For pens it is more than sufficient. Is it the best? No, but it will get you by until you can afford the best ones.

Having a good way to sharpen them and learning how to do it properly is the key. Yes, learning how to use them properly helps too ;).

I've read a lot of good things about the Woodcraft 8" grinder. If you can afford it go for the Jet or Tormek wet grinders though.

Good luck with your choice!
 
I agree with the recommendation for Robert Sorby tools. They hold their edge really well. We also recently picked up the Grizzly wet sharpener, which is a fantastic buy.
 
I used the Sorby's in my brother shop when I first started turning, but in my homeshop I use the Crown Pro PM gouge and radius skew. My brother has a 8" Delta variable speed grinder with the Wolverine setup which works good, I bought the Worksharp 3000 and my tools have never been sharper. Check out Harbor Freight if you want a set of cheap tools to figure out which ones you like and can use the best. I was planning on buying either the P&N tools with a shot filled handle or a Glaser gouge from Highland Hardware when I bought mine, it was the price that did it for me and found mine on sale at Rockler as those are easily over a hundred dollars apiece.
Andy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom