Carbide tools

[Ron Bontz]

I am curious if any one has tried the tools from this site. http://www.carbidewoodturningtools.com/ I tried a carbide tool from another site, cheaper, but the fit and finish left a lot to be desired. The square carbide cutter did not line up well. The screw hole was a bit off center as well. The EWT tools, on the other hand, look to have a good fit and finish from what I can tell, but the cost..... So now I am curious.

[Don Alexander]

i too am curious and very interested in the information

[Kenneth Hertzog]

Ron and Don
I have purchased these tools from Mark.
they are extremely sharp and very easy to handle.
I turn dry, hard wood and composite laminated wood.
I was having to sharpen my tools more minutes than I spent turning.
this eliminated the problem. they remain sharp and require a very soft touch.
also bought the tool that holds router bits, 1/4 inch.
it also is heavy and very easy to handle.
any other questions I will try and answer.
Ken

[Don Alexander]

thanks for the info

how do you like turning with a router bit? and if you don't mind which of the tools have you used? and which do you use most?

[Vince Welch]

Hi Ron,

These carbide tools are really getting some good attention and rightly so. They are easy to use and long lasting. I think they make nice additions to one tool arsonal. However, I believe it is important to learn to use all of the "standard tools" and also strive to get the best finish with those tools as well. With that said, I have been using the Hunter tool #5 and it makes a cut very easy. I also like the round shaft rather than a square shaft so I may rotate the angle of the cut as I want. The fit and finish on the Hunter tools are supreme and the cost is less than some of the other manufactors. Plus I know where I can get one. lol I hope this helps.
Vince

[Ron Bontz]

Thanks for the info. I only wanted a couple to use on tuff woods, brass and aluminum, etc. Well gotta go. The Vortex calls.:)

[Kenneth Hertzog]

Turning with a router bit is like anything else its sharp
and you can turn it for the type of cut you want while
the tool stays flat on the tool rest.
the tools I have are as follows
SRB-1/4 ( for router bits )
SSS
S-15
S-10
They all work very well and can be very agressive on the cut
if you wish it. The router bit I'm using is a round nose 1/2 inch
I figured that would be a good starting point.
ken

[Ray Bell]

Kenneth,

How, and when do you use this router bit. Do you use it to start an inside cut on a bowl, as a shaper after the bowl has been hollowed. or some other purpose?

Thanks

[Kenneth Hertzog]

Ray
I've had these tools for a little over a week.
been playing with them in different areas.
was using the router bit on the inside of a bowl ( already rough turned)
worked well but i'm not ready to give up my other tools just yet.
after sending it across the room in three pieces
trying to reround the outside I've not had a chance
to see how far I can send the next one. :eek:
one piece made it 30 feet behind me.
will try it again this weekend and hope for better results
ken

[Ray Bell]

Thanks Ken,

The reason I asked was because I also have this tool, and just haven't used it yet. 30 feet!! that must be close to a record:D

[Don Alexander]

hmmm to go 30 feet in my shop would have to riccochet around my shop a 3 or 4 times ugh hehe hope it didn't hit anything important

[Kenneth Hertzog]

my shop is 30 by 50
I turn wood in the back corner
two of the three pieces stayed with the lathe PM3520A
the cage caught one and the dust collector caught the other
the third was 30 ft away on the bench on the other side of the garage
did not find it till the next day
did not hit any body parts ( thank God)
It was all over in less than 1 second
Ken