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Best Small Business Toolmakers

That'd make a list a mile long... there's actually more small businesses out there for woodturning than there are "big" businesses if you mean by size.. if you mean by the Gov't definitions, then probably most of them are (even Robust is, I believe) but I'd guess the one-man shops and mom-n-pops outnumber the multi-employee "big" shops (even if they all still qualify as a "small business"
 
This is an interesting question. Okay, I don't mean to sound like a smartypants with this, but if we remove the Jet/Powermatic conglomerate from the equation, and maybe Sorby, and Record Power, and Chinese-based businesses, isn't just about all that remains for tools, machinery, and accessories considered, by definition, small businesses serving the woodturning community?

With so many of the woodturning manufacturers that cater to us, if you call their phone number, it seems you have a 50/50 chance that the owner will answer the phone. That's pretty much any of the cutting tool makers (shy of Sorby), same for the machine builders.

Well, anyway, today woodturning as a whole is a pretty niche "industry" once you leave the realm of CNC and true factory production work. Heck, when you think about it, there are probably less of us "single person woodturning shops" now than there were 200 years ago. Back then, you and I were doing this for a living in our towns and villages, making architectural and furniture turnings, and kitchenwares, on tredle or spring pole lathes, using cutters made by the blacksmith down the road.. Now we do the same, but as hobbiests, or one-off and micro-scale gallery sellers, using tools and equipment that are light years ahead in technology. We should respect what they had then compared to what we have now.

Sorry, I didn't actually answer the question.
 
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Matthew Dudak said:
I love finding small businesses who make tools for woodturning. I recently placed an order from Best Wood Tools (https://bestwoodtools.store.turbify.net/onepihetachr.html) and I was wondering what other small businesses specialize in making tools/accessories/etc for woodturners?
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There are many more companies whose owners make personal contact than I’m listing.
Some actually make their products and others who sell a line of tools most of which are made for them by other companies


A few that I recommend if you want owner interaction.

Tools
Trent Bosch, Robust, Jamieson, ONEWAY, Thompson, Hunter, Packard,

Wood
Viable lumber, Blanks4you

Sanding and surface
Turningwood and Sanding glove
 
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Thanks for your replies. You all make a good point that most of them are small businesses. I guess I was thinking small enough that they won't be on the first page of Google results for "woodturning tools" or won't be sold by Craft Supplies, Rockler, Woodcraft, etc.
 
Raif Harik said:
One I've just come across thanks to another thread is stewmac.com. Luthier tools that we largely don't need but there is some relevant stuff in there and it's fun to look.
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I've bought several things from Stewmac to use in my shop. They have one of the best Dremel router jigs. If you do any inlay in your wood this is the tool to use.
 
john lucas said:
I've bought several things from Stewmac to use in my shop. They have one of the best Dremel router jigs. If you do any inlay in your wood this is the tool to use.
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the stewmac sscrapers are also handy for turning and all woodworking - has, nice and thick the burr lasts a very very long time. great tool
 
Matthew Dudak said:
I love finding small businesses who make tools for woodturning. I recently placed an order from Best Wood Tools (https://bestwoodtools.store.turbify.net/onepihetachr.html) and I was wondering what other small businesses specialize in making tools/accessories/etc for woodturners?
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Lyle Jamieson Woodturning LLC.....been in business for over 40 years
Woodturning Tool Store, Hunter Carbide, Thompson Tools, & Cindy Drozda to name a few that we work closely with.
 
There are very real reasons why there aren't more smallish shops producing useful tools. Liability may be the main reason. Talk with an insurance company that provides liability insurance for manufacturers, mention power tool usage and the alarm bells go off to the extent the insurance is not affordable (like insurance cost per tool sold is higher than the anticipated selling price) . Ever notice power tool instruction manuals have the first twenty pages related to safety issues to protect the manufacturer from liability of improper usage?

It may be fine for an individual making tools who barely has two nickels to rub together, not much risk there because you can't get blood out of a turnip. But for somebody with a reasonable estate value it can be a big risk. Granted, catastrophic woodturning injuries are very unlikely , but who wants to take the chance?
 
I have quite a few objects from Best Wood Tools. Victor is the best machinist I have ever dealt with (and I was a half-assed machinist for almost 40 years), his work is absolutely perfect . What ever you spend you can be assured it is the best spent bang for the buck!
 
As far as best small business toolmakers the majority of my tools are from just 3 businesses. Hunter Tool Systems, Thompson Lathe Tools and Best Wood Tools. For me these are the best. Now I will not tell you that other businesses are bad as I have over 50 published articles (mostly revues) of tools from many other companies. Do you know how hard it is to write a bad revue of a piece of woodturning equipment, well it is darn near impossible. The folks that make these tools do a very good job of putting out fine woodturning tools. The only bad revue I gave was for the Nova Titan II Chuck, not that it was bad, it was just stupid to take a 5" chuck and link it to jaws for 4" or smaller chucks (they corrected themselves very quickly by bringing out the Nova Titan III Chuck). I'm not going to argue that one tool is better than another as I'm just saying what is the best for me and I have no fears of telling you why. If you like a business that's fine use and support them as what works for you is what you want.
 
If I was to buy a "signature" tool again, even if it was made to my specs, I probably wouldn't. Well, maybe another grinder rest, but no lathe tools......

robo hippy
 
The woman who runs the Teknatool/Nova out of Florida (unclear of the details, USA distributor?) told me that many people don't know they are a small family business. Her husband's grandfather started the company "and put all his passion into it."

BTW, they have a 20% off Club Discount Program which I took advantage of and got quick delivery just this morning. One of the clubs I attend signed up for this:
www.teknatool.com

Turning Club - NOVA, a Teknatool Brand

USA Turning Club Discount program At NOVA, we’re more than a tool manufacturer—we’re dedicated to growing the woodturning community. Your feedback shapes our products, and we’re inspired by the creativity and passion of woodturners like you We believe everyone should have access to quality...
www.teknatool.com www.teknatool.com

JKJ
 
john lucas said:
I've bought several things from Stewmac to use in my shop. They have one of the best Dremel router jigs. If you do any inlay in your wood this is the tool to use.
Click to expand...

Do you mean the plunge router base? The photos show a Dremel.

StewMac Plunge Router Base - StewMac

Our sturdy base turns your Dremel into a compact plunge router perfect for inlays, routing saddle slots, cleaning fret slots and more.
www.stewmac.com www.stewmac.com

I'd like to watch you use that sometime.

I'm considering getting their mini grinder for their "Ultimate" scrapers. The scrapers do work when I sharpen with the 8" CBN wheels but may be even better with the 3" diameter wheels.

JKJ
 
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