I've been woodworking for almost a year now, mainly working on shop stuff. I'm very interested to get into woodturning and am planning on a Jet mini lathe. I plan on turning pens to begin with and then quickly move to bowls. I'm set on getting the lathe and I know I need a grinder to sharpen, plus I know what I need for turning the pens, but I am not sure about basic tools. What gouges, scrapers, etc. should I be looking for to start with. I searched for another posting, but didn't find one. I know where to look for decent tools, but I don't know what type I should buy to begin with. Thanks for the help.
Beginner's tools
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Hi and welcome to the board
Tools are all down to personal choice. Some prefer Bowl gouges for working with Bowls while others prefer to use a scraper. Its whatever one feels better for you and how you use it.
The common starter sets consist of a bowl gouge, Round Scraper, Skew chisel and a parting chisel.
After this its whatever you can find or make yourself.
Simply converting other old tools is a common occurence. I currently use an old plane blade ground to the same angle as a scraper when I am finishing the outside of bowls. I have an old 1/4" chisel ground like a scraper for getting into awkward spots. I have also ground an old file with a hook for cutting captive rings. The list goes on and on and on.
I would look at the starter sets and take it from there.
What side of the pond are you on Europe or USA as this will dictate tools etc
Tools are all down to personal choice. Some prefer Bowl gouges for working with Bowls while others prefer to use a scraper. Its whatever one feels better for you and how you use it.
The common starter sets consist of a bowl gouge, Round Scraper, Skew chisel and a parting chisel.
After this its whatever you can find or make yourself.
Simply converting other old tools is a common occurence. I currently use an old plane blade ground to the same angle as a scraper when I am finishing the outside of bowls. I have an old 1/4" chisel ground like a scraper for getting into awkward spots. I have also ground an old file with a hook for cutting captive rings. The list goes on and on and on.
I would look at the starter sets and take it from there.
What side of the pond are you on Europe or USA as this will dictate tools etc
Thanks for the reply. I'm in the US.
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I would strongly suggest findind a club in your area if possible. You can learn more about the tools very quickly with someone elses help. Join the American Association of Woodturners. you get a subscription to American Woodturner and even more useful is the AAW directory. This allows you to easily find a club or individual near you.
As far as tools for spindle work I start with a rough out gouge, then spindle gouge and parting tool. I also like the skew.
For bowls a bowl gouge and round nose scraper. Get the thickest round nose scraper you can find, the bowl gouge can be 3/8 1/2 or 5/8. I like a 3/8.
As far as tools for spindle work I start with a rough out gouge, then spindle gouge and parting tool. I also like the skew.
For bowls a bowl gouge and round nose scraper. Get the thickest round nose scraper you can find, the bowl gouge can be 3/8 1/2 or 5/8. I like a 3/8.
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