Sorby or Henry Taylor?
Kelly Hickel
I've never turned anything in my life (well there was the
time I turned a 3/8 oak spindle on my drill press, but I
don't want to talk about that! ;>).
At this point I'm not real interested in turning bowls,
mostly spindle type stuff to go with my other woodworking
(cabinetry-type) projects.
I'm getting a used lathe this weekend and want to get a
"starter" set of high-end tools (buy once) I've heard that
Sorby's are the tops, but I'm finding it much easier to find
Henry Taylor Diamic tools. Also I found a set of Diamics
(3/4 roughing gouge, 1/2 skew, 1/2 spindle, diamond section
parting tool for $115.
So what's the deal? Are diamics beter, as good as, almost as
good as Sorby's or should I just go for the big 'S'?
Also can people recommend a good book to get started?
Thanks,
Kelly Hickel
Pittsburgh, PA
dick...@fast.net
Kelly, Don't buy anything until you contact your local AAW Chapter. Several
reasons for this... 1. - You don't need a set of anything. Big waste. You get
tools you'll never use. 2. - You will get your learning curve jump started
with the help of an experienced turner who will be glad to help you. 3. -
Diamic tools are not high speed steel. You can get an edge on them easy
enough. You won't be able to keep an edge on them, esp. as a beginner. You
need every advantage you can get. It takes some practice to be able to
accomplish any kind of turning. If you are practicing good habits you will
enjoy it much more than if you keep slogging away by yourself practicing all
the wrong things. I recommend a good video over a book to get information and
understand what the author is discussing. Richard Raffan is a good place to
start and his spindle work is awesome. If you must buy a book, there are
companion books for his videos. The phone number for your local American
Association of Woodturners chapter is 412-295-9112 - ask for Linda.
Beware.... Woodturning is addictive! Dick Tuttle
In article <35890359...@transarc.com>,
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dick...@fast.net
Kelly, I forgot to answer the rest of your question. Sorry. Taylor or
Sorby.. both quality tools. Crown is good also and a bit less money. Just be
sure to get high speed steel. You won't be sorry. You can still blue the edge
during sharpening, but you won't draw the temper as you would with the
Diamic's. You probably want a Skew, Spindle gouge and parting tool to start.
Get a spindle gouge with a shallow flute (the dealer will know what you
want.) Half inch is a good size to start with in both cases except the
parting tool. That will depend on what kind of parting tool profile you would
prefer. I realize you don't have a clue what that preference is at this
point. That's why I recommend you contact the AAW club. Dick
Fred Holder
Hello Kelly,
I personally like the Robert Sorby tools; however, I've also some Henry Taylor
tools in my collection and they seem to work fine too. My guess is that for the
spindle turning that you plan to do you will find the Henry Taylor tools very
satisfactory. If you were going to be doing heavy production work you would need
to go for the best. The list of tools you mention should pretty well get you
going and handle most spindle work for furniture. Start to turn table legs or
newell posts and you'll need some heavier gouges and skews. Stay under two
inches and those you mention should serve you well.
Fred Holder
<http://www.skagit.com/woodturning>
In article <35890359...@transarc.com>, Kelly says...
>
>I've never turned anything in my life (well there was the
>time I turned a 3/8 oak spindle on my drill press, but I
>don't want to talk about that! ;>).
>
>At this point I'm not real interested in turning bowls,
>mostly spindle type stuff to go with my other woodworking
>(cabinetry-type) projects.
>
>
>I'm getting a used lathe this weekend and want to get a
>"starter" set of high-end tools (buy once) I've heard that
>Sorby's are the tops, but I'm finding it much easier to find
>Henry Taylor Diamic tools. Also I found a set of Diamics
>(3/4 roughing gouge, 1/2 skew, 1/2 spindle, diamond section
>parting tool for $115.
>
>So what's the deal? Are diamics beter, as good as, almost as
>good as Sorby's or should I just go for the big 'S'?
>
>Also can people recommend a good book to get started?
>
>Thanks,
> Kelly Hickel
> Pittsburgh, PA
>
------------------
Spam free Usenet news http://extra.newsguy.com
km...@my-dejanews.com
Kelly, First of all, I would recommend the book TURNING WOOD by Richard
Raffan. It gives you good info that a newbie can follow, and some good
drawingsand pictures that clarify any questions you have from the text. I've
read it 2 or 3 times and got something from it each time. He does a lot of
bowls, but also spindle work and kitchen related items. Not artsy-fartsy,
just a high volume turner of 1 of a kind pieces. As for the tools, you've
probably started a big argument here on the NG. Both are excellent, and you
wouldn't go wrong with either one. Find some store that has both (if you
can), and see how each one feels to you. Buy the one that feels most natural
and comfortable to you. Since you're looking at the high end, you might want
to check out some of the GLASER tools. He has several grades of tools that
are improved alloys which are tougher than the M2 HSS found in most British
tools. He has a new A-11 alloy set of tools that are SUPPOSED to last a long
as a 1/2 dozen M2's. I still want to hear from someone who has actuall done
this before I completelyy believe,
Ken Moon
Webberville, Texas
In article <35890359...@transarc.com>,
Kelly Hickel <k...@transarc.com> wrote:
> I'm getting a used lathe this weekend and want to get a
> "starter" set of high-end tools (buy once) I've heard that
> Sorby's are the tops, but I'm finding it much easier to find
> Henry Taylor Diamic tools. Also I found a set of Diamics
> (3/4 roughing gouge, 1/2 skew, 1/2 spindle, diamond section
> parting tool for $115.
>
> So what's the deal? Are diamics beter, as good as, almost as
> good as Sorby's or should I just go for the big 'S'?
>
> Also can people recommend a good book to get started?
>
> Thanks,
> Kelly Hickel
> Pittsburgh, PA
>
>
John McGaw
Kelly,
I have found that all of the top-line Sheffield tools are pretty well
equivalent and indistinguishable except for their handle styles and
colours. Even the ones that Craft Supplies USA has made in Sheffield and
handles in Utah are quite acceptable and a bit cheaper than the "name"
tools even though they often come out of the same makers.
John McGaw
Knoxville, TN
Kelly Hickel <k...@transarc.com> wrote in article
<35890359...@transarc.com>...
> I've never turned anything in my life (well there was the
> time I turned a 3/8 oak spindle on my drill press, but I
> don't want to talk about that! ;>).
>
> At this point I'm not real interested in turning bowls,
> mostly spindle type stuff to go with my other woodworking
> (cabinetry-type) projects.
>
>
P.Groepper
> So what's the deal? Are diamics beter, as good as, almost as good as Sorby's or should I just go for the big 'S'?
It should be HSS, it should have a good handle, and a good form. I
think, Taylor is as good as Sorby. But remember: HSS !!!
And don't buy too many at the beginning. (Sorry, I can't tell here
which, since I'm German and forgot the english terms)
> Also can people recommend a good book to get started?
David Regester: Woodturning, step by step.
This book is cheap, compact, and does it really 'step by step'. Later
you may want to add other books, since one is anyhow not sufficient on
the medium term.
--
Cliff Rogers
>
> I've never turned anything in my life (well there was the
> time I turned a 3/8 oak spindle on my drill press, but I
> don't want to talk about that! ;>).
............
> So what's the deal? Are diamics beter, as good as, almost as
> good as Sorby's or should I just go for the big 'S'?
I have a mixture of both. Both are good quality steel.
After a while you will find that you regrind them to suit your self so...
as long as you have good steel... who cares?
I did find that for real big & heavy, HT had bigger & heavier than S,
but that was about 7 years ago now.
>
> Also can people recommend a good book to get started?
>
Yikes!!!! enrol in a course or join a club....
you'll learn heaps more & faster than trying to use a book.
Don't get me wrong, I have about 30 books & 6 videos now...
It's just heaps easier doing it with some one showing you.
Have fun,
--
Cliff Rogers (Computer Technician) email cliff...@usa.netSPAMOFF
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Peaks/9176/
Remove SPAMOFF from my email address to reply direct.
rpe...@my-dejanews.com
In article <6mc26b$oqc$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>,
dick...@fast.net wrote:
<< lots of good advice that I largely agree with, except for ... >>
> Diamic tools are not high speed steel.
Sorry, Dick, but I have to take issue with this...
Have a look at http://www.sheffield.co.uk/htt/speed.html.
Yes, they *do* make Carbon Steel tools, which also confusingly sell under the
Diamic name, but not all Diamic tools are Carbon Steel - some are HSS.
Check before you buy...
Richard Peers
East Surrey Woodturners
http://www.surreyweb.org.uk/east_surrey_woodturners
Email replies to "rpeers AT greshambell DOT com", changing this appropriately,
to help me avoid spam. I don't look at the Deja News email account very often.
dick...@fast.net
In article <6mdaj9$dnu$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>,
Well, OK. Sorry. Apparently I was operating under the wrong assumption. I
still think that in the States, they are carbon steel. I plead ignorance
here. I can recommend Crown tools, also. I like the couple that I have. They
run less than Taylor or Sorby. Thanks for the information! Dick Tuttle
DSIFERS
A darn good book just out (March 98):
"Fundamentals of Wood turning" by Mike Darlow.
Regards,
Dave
Kevin Miller
You sorta caught me off guard w/that comment too. I'd always made the
opposite assumption! If memory serves, Garrett-Wade or Lee Valley (or
both?) sells HSS tools w/Diamic handles on 'em. They advertise them as
Henry Taylor but the handles are clearly the Diamic line. Of course,
Lee Valley is a Canadian company strictly speaking, but the only real
differance is they have drive w/their headlights on all the time. Not
a bad idea actually!
Anyway, thanks for the heads up - with my luck I'd probably order a
bunch next time I'm feeling flush, then curse the things for not holding
an edge - never having a clue!
Best...
...Kevin
rpe...@my-dejanews.com
In article <6mho11$o8q$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>,
dick...@fast.net wrote:
>
> <<Snipped - statement that Diamic can be HSS as well as carbon >>
>
> Well, OK. Sorry. Apparently I was operating under the wrong assumption. I
> still think that in the States, they are carbon steel. I plead ignorance
> here. I can recommend Crown tools, also. I like the couple that I have. They
> run less than Taylor or Sorby. Thanks for the information! Dick Tuttle
>
No , problem, Dick - as I said, I think it's confusing to use the same brand
name for two different products. I agree with you about Crown. Nearly all my
tools are Crown, and I'm very happy with them - and they're cheaper than
Sorby, Henry Taylor and Ashley Iles by a long way (at least in the UK). I
bought most of them unhandled, and made my own ash handles - but now, the
handled tools can often be bought for *less* than the unhandled (show offers,
etc).
Richard Peers
East Surrey Woodturners
http://www.surreyweb.org.uk/east_surrey_woodturners
Email replies to "rpeers AT greshambell DOT com", changing this appropriately,
to help me avoid spam. I don't look at the Deja News email account very often.
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