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Woodturning Chisels - Which brand

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Deborah Clark

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Sep 4, 2002, 6:54:01 AM9/4/02
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Which brand of chisel is best? I get conflicting advice. Please advise your
preferences in this straw poll. Results will be posted on this site.

Reg. Sherwin.

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Sep 4, 2002, 5:01:41 PM9/4/02
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You need to specify where you would be buying.
Here in the U.K. I am happy with Ashley Iles, Crown, Robert Sorby,
Henry Taylor, Record Power or Hamlet.
Reg. U.K.

Reg. Sherwin.

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Sep 4, 2002, 5:05:10 PM9/4/02
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Hi Debbie. here in the U.K. I am happy with chisels, gouges and
scrapers from Ashley Iles, henry taylor, Robert sorby, Crown, Record
Power or Hamlet. I would be happy with almost any turning tools
provided they have a makers name on them.

ed french

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Sep 4, 2002, 9:07:51 PM9/4/02
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"Deborah Clark" <debbie...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message news:<UBld9.24206$5g6.5...@newsfep2-win.server.ntli.net>...

> Which brand of chisel is best? I get conflicting advice. Please advise your
> preferences in this straw poll. Results will be posted on this site.


Can you be more specific? What do you mean by chisel? Are you asking
about bowl gouges, scrapers, spindle gouges, skews, some other tool,
or all of the above?

There is no "best" brand. It all depends on the type of turning you
are doing, what kind of lathe you have, what kind of wood (or other
material) you are turning.

Your question would be better if you asked what tool works best for a
particular task, then ask what is the best grind to put on the tool
and what is the best tool steel to use. For example, high carbon
steels can be made sharper than HSS, thus work best for the final cut
in difficult grains. HSS holds an edge longer than high carbon steel,
thus work best for roughing.

Lyn J. Mangiameli

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Sep 4, 2002, 10:52:06 PM9/4/02
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Hello Debra,
At one level, the best brand of chisel is the one that is the best ergonomic
fit for you, and allows you to achieve your cuts in the most efficient,
effective and comfortable way---and ideally will go for the longest time
between sharpenings. Of course not all criteria may be met to the same level,
by any given chisel.

That said, and very much meant, the Glaser gouges are the best engineered
gouges in existance. They combine the best in steel formulations (allowing,
among other things, the greatest edge retention of any turning gouge), with an
excellent flute shape and grind, with well balanced, hand friendly handles
that are lead weighted to achieve optimal balance and vibration damping. As
I've said before, it is no single characteristic that makes the Glasers so
superior, but the effective integration of all of these design decisions that
combine synergistically to produce an outstanding gouge, both technically and
in the turner's hand.

Lyn

Barry Turner

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Sep 4, 2002, 11:35:51 PM9/4/02
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I have been very happy with several Robert Sorby tools that I have. I have
a bowl gouge, parting tool and a few scrapers in HSS and a complete set of
older high carbon steel tools. I like them all, but the HSS tools hold an
edge much longer. I even have an old set of Buck Brothers tools in high
carbon steel. They don't hold an edge as long, but the handles "feel"
exceptionally good in the hand and are a joy to use. Try to get HSS tools.
Buy whatever brand feels good to you.

Barry


"Deborah Clark" <debbie...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
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David Propst

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Sep 5, 2002, 5:46:15 AM9/5/02
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1. Glaser
2. Crown ProPM

B. Kelsey

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Sep 5, 2002, 6:09:22 AM9/5/02
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Taylor Tools, especially the Superflute bowl gouge.


Basil Kelsey
Ypsilanti, Mi.

John O'Neill

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Sep 8, 2002, 12:56:59 PM9/8/02
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Give me a Glaser tool, and I'll make chips. Give an artist the cheapest of
tools, and she'll make a work of art.
Use my gouge, and all the chips will go directly into the shop vacuum.
www.cleanturn.net

"Deborah Clark" <debbie...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:UBld9.24206$5g6.5...@newsfep2-win.server.ntli.net...

Anthony de Boer - USEnet

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Sep 19, 2002, 5:34:42 PM9/19/02
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Deborah Clark wrote:
>Which brand of chisel is best? I get conflicting advice. Please advise your
>preferences in this straw poll. Results will be posted on this site.

A mix of tools could be a good thing.

Firstly, noting that Raffan recommends turning your own unique handles so
you can quickly find a particular tool in a pile of shavings, but not
having the time to do so nor the inclination to toss a very nice factory
handle, there's little danger of confusing a dark-handled Taylor and a
light-handled Sorby that are laying together half-covered in shavings.

Secondly, there are various unique tools, and you wouldn't want to feel
you couldn't buy a particular one because it wasn't offered by your
favourite maker.

Third, it gives you a chance to evaluate all the brands; how much you
like the first one strongly influences how many more of those you might
buy.

I have mostly Taylors and Sorbys, with one Hamlet so far, and there's
not a bad tool among them. The main problem is not having enough
quality time to spend with each of them!

--
Anthony de Boer

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