Micro turning set

Or you can make them... :-)

Look at Darrell Feltmates site See Around the Woods link...

the stuff I made -- lets me turn very accurate tool handles for more small tools for example. :-)

Brad:

It seems to me that this is a really good chance to make some of your own tools.

You can buy a 1/4" drill blank and a 3/8" drill blank and make a 1/4" round skew and a 3/8" round skew. Drill blanks are already hardened so you only need to make and fit a handle and then grind the skew shape on the end. Leave the rest of the tool round. Once you've used a round skew in these smaller sizes you will not want to go back to manufactured ones -- they do everything better. When you roll them they are predictable. They don't vibrate as much as the standard shape so cut better. And, your 1/4" drill blank will cost you about $1.50. You'll have to buy an assortment of stuff to justify postage but for the $28.99 you could get about 10 tools.

If you want to make some fancier tools where you need to start with soft tool steel, that is no problem either. You can buy 18" and 36" lengths of O (Oh)-1 drill rod. Cut to length, grind or cut shape you want and then harden and temper with a mapp gas torch, or, in a pinch, a propane torch. There are plenty of instructions on the net for doing this. It is easy to do and while the steel won't be as good as the commercial M2, it is plenty good enough for small tools on small work or details on larger work.

You can also make specialized tools from hex wrenches, screwdrivers, square section metalworking bits (make a small beading and parting tool),...

The suppliers of this stuff -- any machine shop supply company, MSC, ENCO, GRAINGER, KBC (One of KBC's locations is about a half mile from my house!), etc.

Also you get the handles like you want them when you make the tools. I use pretty big handles even on the small skews.

Bill

Brad Mularcik wrote:

My daughter has the micro set for making dollhouse-scale turnings. It's a sweet set, and well worth the small price. Each tool has a reversible steel, so you can put two different grinds on each tool and effectively have ten tools. The steel is good and the handles are just the right size.

However, for regulation size chess pieces they're probably too small. I'd go with a 1/4" shallow gouge instead. Now, if you wanted to make

I must be looking at the wrong set.. it shows $112.99 for the 5 piece set..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

mac davis wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

Patriarch

I don't have much use for miniature tools.........even when turning ornaments, finials and other smaller stuff. I find that standard size tools are easier to sharpen, more stable and feel better in the hand. There may be instances where miniature tools are required, but you can do a respectable job in most instances with standard-sized ones. Tiny tools are just hard to control and bounce around too much unless you hold them with a death grip. Just my opinion.........

Barry

Tiny tools with large handles are easier. Make the handles, though if you are careless about how far away your rest is with heftier tools, the small ones will tell you about it.

I rather suspect that you're avoiding certain possibilities because of your bad experience. Try again with stoned edges - no grinders on the small stuff - and large handles. They will reach in and make cuts obtainable no other way.

Well, they call it "honing"... It was kind of strange that they mentioned them not being sharp in 2 places in one paragraph... maybe they're child proof?

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Barry, if you're having problems with dancing steel on the mini tools, there are two things that will definitely have a positive effect on helping it to clear up, namely, faster spindle speed and a _much_ lighter cut.

For turning miniatures it is essential to develop a light touch, not only to avoid chatter and other nasty side effects of tool vibration, but also to have better control over the amount of wood you're removing. Doesn't take much to turn a miniature bowl into a miniature funnel!

DAMHIKT

I just grind. Even the small tools -- so curious -- why just stoned edges ?

That's why I made some small tools.

I just grind. Even the small tools -- so curious -- why just stoned edges?

That's why I made some small tools.

Because a scratch which is nothing on the edge of a 3/8 wide tool is proportionately larger and sometimes difficult to avoid on a 1/8. Also real easy to destroy good geometry with a moment of carelessness.

I (re-)Learn something every day.

I did put the original edge on with a grinder -- but have used stones since -- never really thought about it -- but you have pointed out the obvious.

I guess that I sort of compromise both of your styles... I did the original sharpening on the belt sander with a 400 belt and mostly use diamond hones on them for touchup... I'm way to heavy handed with a grinder... I'd end up with pointed stumps sticking out of the handles.. *g*

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

The diamond hones are on my list for the next wood show. :-)

I'll get a real set now that I've tried the Harbor Freight set and like them.. lol

I have a 3 hone set but usually only use the fine one.. maybe because I sharpen on the sander and not a grinder?

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing