Recommended Woodturning Tools

There is a new steel now available in two versions, far superior to the usual High Speed Steel (M2). It is called ASP 2030 and ASP 2060. Hamlet is the company making tools from it. Most of their tools are of excellent design. You choose your grade, each is more expensive than the previous, I recommend the best, ASP 2060

For Light to Middle-Weight Lathes, Smaller Work

Bowl work:
3/8ths Masterflute, Hamlet 2060

Spindle work:
3/8ths Spindle gouge. Hamlet 2060
Parting Tool. Straight sided design. Hamlet 2060
Skew chisel. 1" rolled edge, Hamlet 2060
Roughing gouge. 3/4" Hamlet 2060 or use a bowl gouge

Endgrain work:
For boxes, eggcups etc., the Hollowing Shear Scraper designed by Tobias.
For working through small holes, on vases etc., the Chris Stott Set of Miniature Hollowing Tools from Henry Taylor order No. HSCSHT.

For Heavier Weight Lathes And Larger Work.

Bowl work:
5/8ths Masterflute in 2060 from Hamlet
I have two, at different nose angles.
For really large work a 3/4" 2060 Masterflute gouge.
From Hamlet in Craft Supplies steel lined handle HW337

Spindle work:
1 1/4” roughing gouge from Hamlet (M2).
1/2” Euro style spindle gouge from any of the makers listed.
Ashley Iles flared parting tool

Endgrain work:
The BCT hollowing tools are a very user friendly and effective system. For the serious hollowing enthusiast the Hamlet Big Brother is really excellent.

Fine detailing on any lathe

Henry Taylor Superflute ¼” bowl gouge (HS84) ground 42°
Ashley Iles 7mm Spindle gouge, standard flute depth
Sorby 2mm fluted parting tool

Grinders and jigs

It is worth paying for a grinder that is not going to vibrate within a few months of purchase. Mine is a Creusen from Axminster. Guaranteed five years, Top of the range, slow speed model (7500TS). The cheaper DS7150TS is also excellent.

Jigs are widely available. Few offer control over all the tools you will be using. The only one to offer the advantages of rise and fall angle settings with a swing attachment is the new Tobias Kaye / VB jig. (See here)

For those who can invest in the best we offer the Creusen slow speed grinder fully set up with the best jigs mounted on a block with fittings for your fine hone, lamp etc. (Details)

Get your tools from:

Not all the tools listed here are commonly available in the UK. I can get the tools you want delivered to you direct from the manufacturer. Call or e-mail me for a quote. Otherwise try:

Benmail (Cheapest for Henry Taylor tools)
48 Station Rd. St Georges,
Western-Super-Mare
North Somerset.
BS22 0XL. Tel (01934) 510 497

Axminster Power Tool Co. Ltd
Chard Street, Axminster , Devon, EX13 5DZ. Tel (01297) 336 56 Telesales (Orders only) 0800 371 822 e-mail Email@Axminster.co.uk

Ashley Iles (For Ashley Iles tools only)
East Kirkby, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, PE23 4DD. (01790) 763 372

Hamlet Craft Tools
Unit 21-24 Penistone Rd ind. Est. , 410 Penistone Rd. SHEFFIELD, S6 2DR Tel (0114) 232 1338

Books

The Spirit of Trees by Haganeder is the best book on trees wood I ever saw. Available: Scottish Book Source. 137 Dundee St., EDINBURGH,. EH11 1BG Tel 0131 229 6800. e-mail scotbook@globalnet.co.uk £16.99 + P+P £2.50

Turning Wood with Richard Raffan, (Taunton Press) is the best beginners book for those wishing to go far.

Woodturning, a Foundation Course, Keith Rowley, (G.M C.) is a good, simple to follow introduction.

For the advanced try the new genre of woodturning art books such as Bert Marsh by Bert Marsh, the Aussie book, Wood Dreaming, and the book of the Wornick collection, ‘Expressions in Wood’. Such collections of excellence are a useful design education and source of inspiration.