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    Dave Anderson NH

    Time for some levity

    Thread Starter: Dave Anderson NH

    With all of the negativity and political stuff going on with the Covid-19 virus it is time to look at the humorous side of things. Feel free to add more, but keep it clean or it will be deleted.

    Last Post By: Jim Koepke Today, 1:36 AM Go to last post
    Edward Weber

    Are your tools dangerous?

    Thread Starter: Edward Weber

    Do you consider tools as dangerous? https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/how-to/g2394/10-workshop-tools-that-can-kill-you/ I came accross this article and it struck me, that I don't consider my tools as dangerous or not. To me it's just a tool. Sure, some tools can cause greater injury...

    Last Post By: Warren Lake Yesterday, 12:35 PM Go to last post
    Jonathan Jung

    How much does a shop build add to property value?

    Thread Starter: Jonathan Jung

    For those of you who've built a shop, how much value did it add to the property? For instance, if a shop costs $150k, can the property value increase the same? Less? More? I know there's many variables. Thought maybe some of you have been through this, having built a shop then had property value...

    Last Post By: Michael Burnside Yesterday, 1:15 PM Go to last post
    Joel Goodman

    MRI Question

    Thread Starter: Joel Goodman

    My doc tells me I need an neck MRI to diagnose some arm pain that may be starting in the neck. On the phone the MRI facility asked me if I had ever been involved with "metal grinding". Of course as a woodworker I've sharpened tools on a wheel, drilled holes in metal etc. I'm hoping to get more...

    Last Post By: Stan Calow Today, 10:07 AM Go to last post
    Malcolm Schweizer

    Major upgrade- Grizzly 24” bandsaw has arrived

    Thread Starter: Malcolm Schweizer

    I will do a video once we get the 3-phase wired up, but here is how big the 24” 7.5hp Grizzly bandsaw is. No photos I found online really showed the true size. For anyone wondering if it will fit in the shop- it is 83.5” tall. The crate adds about 6” (4” pallet and 2” additional crate height.)....

    Last Post By: Curt Harms Today, 9:52 AM Go to last post
    David Zaret

    cope and stick micro shaker?

    Thread Starter: David Zaret

    has anyone done a cope and stick micro/skinny shaker setup, or is the consensus that it's always a miter wrap? i talked to Great Lakes a while back, and they hadn't seen it (or at least my rep hadn't), curious what others have done. i would much, much rather make them on the shaper than at the...

    Last Post By: Maurice Mcmurry Yesterday, 7:17 PM Go to last post

  • Sorby Micro Spindle Set

    by
    Trevor Walsh
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    Published on 01-05-2011 3:17 PM  Number of Views: 13160  
    0 Comments Comments
    I was very excited to fiddle with my new Sorby Micro Spindle Set. I thought I'd put together an article as well.

    I'll start with the blurb from the manufacturer,

    The set features aluminum handles and the following interchangeable blades: a 1/2" (13mm) gouge for roughing down and basic shape and design, a 1/4" (6mm) skew for fine detail, a 5/32" (4mm) beading and parting tool for detailing or parting off and one Allen key.

    Turning fine intricate spindles or just plain, small spindles? The Micro Spindle Set is the right size, with just the right tools for the job. The set features aluminum handles and the following interchangeable blades: a 1/2" (13mm) gouge for roughing down and basic shape and design, a 1/4" (6mm) skew for fine detail, a 5/32" (4mm) beading and parting tool for detailing or parting off and one Allen key. This set is also ideal for pen turners.

    - Anodized aluminum handle
    - 3 interchangeable blades
    - Ideal for pen turners


    Here's a shot of the Spindle set and some extras, Most are there for marking out a pen blank. Next up is a roughly 8 minute video of me turning a small peg with the set. I know it's a bit, but I decided not to edit to show all the steps as tool changing takes place.



    Still with me, good, now for the reviewing part.

    Pros: Sexy handle, I find the color, balance and size of this tool really comfortable. It's responsive to touch and gives really good feedback on your cut.

    I looked at the other accessories for the handle as Sorby says, they all look very well made. I'd be really interested in testing the sprialing tool.

    Fit and finish: the blades are all nicely polished, and only needed a few swipes on a stone to remove small burs. The cutting geometry is great. The set screws also lock down very tightly and don't allow for any movement of the blades.

    Cons: The knurling on the handle is a little sharper than I expected, it's by no means uncomfortable to me or a deal breaker.

    The second thing (which I think potential users will critique) is you have to change blades, well I bought a tool with interchangeable blades, that's kind of a given. From the video you can see it's not an insane amount of time. If you're a hobby guy, no big deal; if you're a production guy, investing in more handles or making some extras may not be a bad idea, or a different set entirely. I'll work with it for a while as is, and see if I start to hate changing tools, then I might thing about making extra handles.

    Here is the finished and waxed cherry peg. It's 1 1/4" long, 3/8" diameter with a 5/16" by 5/16" tenon.


    Overall I think the Sorby Micro Spindle set is a great buy and recommend it, it will work great almost right out of the bag. If you're looking into getting other accessories, I'd suggest getting them with handles, even if you swap out specialty tools like the sanding and spiral attachments I think you'd appreciate having a handle on the gouge and skew at least.