Turning Tools

Traditional turning tools are forged from solid steel bar stock that is sharpened on a grinder to create the cutting edge.  Carbide turning tools utilize individual carbide cutters that require no sharpening time at the grinder and are easily replaced when the cutters are dull. You may also sharpen carbide cutters by hand if desired to extend the life of the cutter. This makes carbide tools a good option for woodturners with limited shop space for additional equipment or those with limited knowledge of how to sharpen tools on a grinder. 

If you’re just getting started turning or don’t sharpening equipment, you should consider carbide turning tools. These tools are appealing to beginners and many experienced turners alike as they allow you to enjoy excellent results instantly without having to learn or remember complicated tool techniques. Also, if your primary interest is turning pens and small projects using acrylic blanks, there is no better tool for the job.   

Learning how to use traditional woodturning tools is fun and rewarding. It’s also more efficient as the surface quality off the tools is finer than carbide turning tools, meaning you have less sanding to do. Learning tool techniques and continuing to hone your skills over time is part of what makes woodturning so enjoyable. While carbide tipped turning tools offer instant gratification and are ideal for beginners, the tradition of woodturning can best be enjoyed via tools and methods.

All woodturning gouges can be categorized into four main groups - Bowl Gouges, Spindle Gouges, Detail Gouges, and Spindle Roughing Gouges.  Each type of woodturning tool is unique in both form and function. 

Bowl Gouges are easier to control and remove wood faster than spindle gouges.  We recommend a 1/2" bowl gouge as the first choice when getting started with bowl turning. 

Spindle Gouges are designed for work between centers as well as general purpose turning including boxes, pens, small bowls and detail work.  We recommend a 3/8" spindle gouge as the first choice.  Other sizes and variations can be added depending on your specific turning needs.

Spindle Roughing Gouges have a wide, deep flute for rapid wood removal and are used for taking square spindle stock down to round.  This tool is only meant for use on spindles only and can lead to injury if used on bowl blanks. Be sure to follow proper safety guidelines when using this tool.

Spindle Gouges are measured by the diameter of the round stock.

Bowl Gouges are measured by the width of the flute. Add 1/8" to the flute size and you will have the diameter of the round stock. However, Oneway Mastercut and Glenn Lucas Signature gouges are measured by the diameter of the round stock.

Depending on the type of woodturning project you are working on, the right scraper can improve imperfections in the wood’s surface and provide a flawless finish. There are multiple styles of scrapers available to woodturners, selecting the right tool depends on the type of turning you’re doing. 

Negative Rake Scrapers: The unique cutting angle of a negative rake scraper helps to achieve a superior finish on high-figured hardwoods, dense exotics, acrylics and even end grain where traditional scarpers come up short leaving torn grain and a generally poor quality surface. Negative rake scrapers are non-aggressive, very easy to control and will give you a superb finish on almost any material.  These are by far our favorite types of scrapers and we highly recommend one in every woodturing tool rack. 

Scapers: A must for woodturning, scrapers are designed for making light shaping and clean-up cuts to remove imperfections left by gouges and other tools. Properly sharpened with a burr on the top side of the tool, a scraper will leave a very smooth surface ready for finishing. Although scrapers come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit various needs, they all function the same way. 

Shear Scrapers: a shear scraper is similar to a standard scraper with the burr on the top side of the tool used to cut the wood. Shear scrapers have a semi-rounded underside that allows you to roll the scraper onto its side, which changes the angle of cut from a scraping to a shearing cut resulting in a smoother surface in most cases.

Most traditional wood turning tools are made of heat treated M2 high speed steel as it holds an edge well, can be honed to fine edge and offers the biggest bang for your buck.  A relative newcomer to woodturning tools, heat treated M42 high speed steel, holds an edge as long or longer than more expensive tools made of powdered metal (Pro-PM) and can be honed to a superfine edge making it an excellent value.  

Cryogenically treated M2, M42, and powered metal tools (Crown Pro-Pm tools) last 3-6 times longer than standard M2 and in turn are more expensive than tools and chisels made of heat treated M2. 

All of the wood turning tools we offer (with the exception of those with a carbide cutter) can be quickly and easily sharpened using standard grinding wheels or a CBN wheel.

Modern woodturning tools have a rich history in the United Kingdom, dating all the way back to the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century.  With forges running on water-powered mills, areas like Sheffield, England became well known for their metalworking. Manufacturers like Robert Sorby and Hamlet Tools (now manufactured by  Henry Taylor Tools) emerged and have been producing high-quality steel tools and chisels for wood turners and wood carvers for nearly 200 years.  These tools represent hundreds of years of craftsmanship, refinement, and knowledge and are the gold standard for any woodworking tool. 

American made new-comers include tool brands like Robust, Easy Wood Tools, Carter Products, and Mike Jackofsky’s Hollow-Pro tool line.  These tool companies are proud to offer new and innovative tools that provide woodturners with superb quality and craftsmanship.  Our recent favorite, Robust, has long held a stellar reputation for crafting high-quality lathes and turning accessories. Now, they’ve expanded their offerings with a line of turning tools that go head-to-head with the UK made tools. Learn more about Robust turning tools in our blog post, Robust Turning Tools: An Introduction.

There is an unlimited number of imported, cheap wood turning tools available in online marketplaces like Amazon. However, the majority of these simple woodturning tools are produced poorly, are not made from quality materials, nor are they produced with industry knowledge, resulting in tools that don’t function as intended or that simply don’t last. Here at Craft Supplies USA, we understand the need for budget-friendly woodturning tools and have made it a priority to work directly with foreign manufacturers to bring beginner woodturners quality tools that are produced to our exacting standards. The CryoTek™ tool line offers just that – expert design, high quality fabrication, and quality materials, all backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Having sharp tools is critical to the overall success, ease of cutting, and enjoyment while turning.  Sharp turning tools cut cleaner, leave a better finish, and reduce the time needed for sanding. While it may seem intimidating at first, it’s easy to achieve perfectly ground, sharp tools in no time using the Oneway Wolverine Sharpening System with Vari-Grind jig in combination with our proprietary Raptor Set-Up Tools. Together, they offer woodturners simplicity, repeatability, and superior results in no time at all. Tool sharpening basics are easy to learn and with a little practice you’ll have a turning tool rack full of sharp tools that are ready to turn.  We have several sharpening tutorials available on our blog for those just learning how to sharpen their traditional turning tools.