Thompson Turning Tools

[Mike Stephens]

What size flare nuts is everybody using on his 3/8 and 1/2 tools?

On Doug's web site there is an article on making your own handles. In the article it says to use 1/2" or 5/8" flare nuts or compression nuts. Well a 1/2" tool fits the opening of the 1/2" flare nut but would be large for the 3/8" tool. The article does not specify which ferrel to use with each different size tool.

Thanks,
Mike

[Dan Oliphant]

Mike, in the past I have used 3/4 inch flair nuts for my handles. As the prices of metals continues to increase, brass is less and less apealing for ferrules. You will be able to get a very strong ferrule by substituting a one inch long, 3/4 inch diameter piece of copper pipe for the flair nut.

[Allen Neighbors]

I've used Pipe fittings... such as a 1/2" coupling for 1/4" tool, 3/4" coupling for 3/8" and 1/2" tools, and so on. Shorten them with a hacksaw if they're too long for you. You can shine 'em up quite nicely, and they'll really do the job.