Some professionals or high end turning artists are capable of making tools and accessories but don't have the time away from their lathes. Others have no interest or capability for making tools. Some just like the ease and quickness of turning and finishing a creditable bowl from a log in a weekend afternoon. (compare with the time, materials, tools and expertise needed to make and finish a chest) Some others enjoy making things for their lathes as well as making things on their lathes. There is no class distinction or implication of being a cheapskate here. To each his/her own.
I recently wandered and wondered thru some turning catalogs with credit card and telephone in hand and an extra buck burning a hole in my pocket. I thought to share my journey, but at least I'm not imposing pictures of my vacation on you. Just my musings, but this being rcw not all would or should agree. Prices are in U.S. dollars. Shipping and whatevers are not included.
- faceplate center marker - easy to make of metal or hardwood if you really need one
- thimble cutter - woodturners need neither such an accurate nor precise ballend milling cutter a cheaper import or a free discard from a machine shop is fine for the purpose if there is one
- tool handles - why do I turn wood?
- pyramid points or round skews $+- small hss round bar is cheap and grinding is a part of woodturning
- chatter tool - I have a discarded hacksaw blade and some heavy coil spring but my chatters look like catches
- thread chasing armrest - no need to bend a stop when a pin or bolt will do
- calipers $ vary wildly- for me bent coat hangers etc aren't the answer when my eyeballs don't suffice I'm glad I bought double ended and spring calipers
- sharpening rod - even I can drill a 3/8in. hole in the end of a brass or aluminum rod and add a set screw
- curved boring bar cutters - They do call them cutters which they _are when used just off the bevel aren't they? the cutting vs scraping action of inserted bits debate is about as useful as some of our jet vs delta threads these curved cutters do interest me are they better than inserting a straight bit at an angle into a shaft
- Tormek 9 ++++- I want a new BMW too but I grew up in the great depression "use it up make it do or do without" blah blah blah blah!
- sharpening jigs $ 75-100- I'm stupid but not that stupid to dredge this up again especially since I have a year old new unopened wolverine, badger, pit bull or whatchamaycallit jig
- burnishing plate - angle gauge - double face tape - depth drill - taper cleaner - wire friction burner - glue blocks - powdered steel $?- center finders $ vary and don't include costs to defend against patent infringment none of these 'store boughts' are for this auld Scot As I said to an ex-friend who just finished building a MacMansion for his new wife "why not just post your net worth on the mailbox and enjoy living in your beloved old tear down house?"
13, face shields dust collectors safe wiring, broom, dust pan and garbage can keeping our hobby in perspective an understanding spouse $- priceless-
- The games are starting on tv, I'm tired of typing and everyone's left the building anyway, so 73 & 88 to all. Arch
Fortiter,