Robust Turning Tools: An Introduction

Robust has long held a stellar reputation for crafting high-quality lathes and turning accessories. Now, they’ve expanded their offerings with a new line of turning tools, and we’re excited to dive into what makes them stand out. In this post, we’ll break down the key features and available tools, mirroring the information shared in our recent video overview.

American Made Quality and Innovative Nitriding

Robust tools are proudly 100% American-made, forged from premium high-speed steel. But what truly sets them apart is their unique nitriding process. Unlike a simple coating, nitriding is a diffusion process that infuses extra carbon and nitrogen into the base metal. This significantly enhances wear resistance and edge retention, meaning these tools will stay sharp and perform reliably for longer.

Tool Breakdown and Sizes

The Robust tool line covers a wide range of turning needs:

• Round Nose Scrapers: Available in two sizes, these are perfect for refining the insides of boxes and finishing bowls. They also offer negative rake and square point box scrapers for specialized interior work.
  
• Spindle Roughing Gouge: This extra-beefy 1 1/4” wide gouge excels at clearing chips and efficiently roughing down spindles.
  
• Parting Tools: Choose between 1/8” and 3/16” widths for clean and precise parting cuts.
  
• Bowl Gouges: Offered in 3/8”, 1/2”, and 5/8” sizes, these gouges are essential for bowl turning. While the video mentions the flutes could be slightly wider for even better chip clearing, they are still highly effective.
  
• Spindle Gouges: Available in the same three sizes as the bowl gouges (3/8”, 1/2”, and 5/8”), these feature a super wide flute for efficient chip removal. The ability to grind a long bevel on the nose makes them ideal for detailed coves and corners.
  
• Skews: With four sizes ranging from 1/4” to 1 1/4”, there’s a skew for every need. The larger sizes are excellent for long planing cuts on projects like rolling pins. As the video mentions, the different sizes can impact the severity of catches, so choose wisely!
  
• Spear Point Scrapers: Two sizes are available for sharecuts on both the inside and outside of bowls. These are a favorite for achieving smooth, even surfaces.
  
• Round Nose Negative Rake Scrapers: Featuring a French curve grind, these scrapers are excellent for finishing cuts on bowls and creating a high-quality surface.

UnHandled and Ready for Customization

All Robust tools are sold unhandled, allowing you to choose the handle that best suits your grip and working style. Robust offers a great collet handle system that accommodates all the tools in this line, making tool changes quick and easy with a simple quarter-turn.

Length and Design Advantages

One of the most significant advantages of Robust tools is their length. They are notably longer than many other brands, providing more tool for your money and extending the tool’s lifespan. This is exemplified in the video’s comparison of a Robust spindle gouge to a Sorby, showcasing almost double the usable flute length.

Another thoughtful design feature is the milled flat on the tang. This ensures that even when the tool is worn down, it will still fit in your sharpening jig, maximizing the use you get out of each tool.

Final Thoughts

The Robust line of turning tools offers a comprehensive selection of high-quality, American-made tools designed for performance and longevity. From the innovative nitriding process to the thoughtful design features like extra length and the milled flat tang, Robust tools are built to last and enhance your turning experience. If you’re looking to upgrade your tool collection, give them a shot – you won’t be disappointed!