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Great handles at a reasonable price

Joe Gorman

Joe Gorman

Joined
Jan 16, 2009
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I have been turning for about a year and consider myself a novice... that said, I have discovered the pleasure of turning with good tools. A friend brought over a Thompson gouge to try and I was sold with in a minute.

I recently purchased a few gouges from Doug and I can only say they are marvelous.. all his tools are sold unhandled and I did not want to wait to turn handles before I could use these gouges so I looked around on Doug's web site and found a link to a handle maker named Paul Bennett. He sells foam covered aluminum handles, well balanced, good length and great fit to the tool shaft. They are extremely comfortable to use and very economical as well.

I am posting this because when you find something that works and is reasonably priced as well you lind of want to share it.

Paul's web site www.thewoodworkersnetwork.com
 
Last edited:
Kurt,
Thanks for posting the links..... after reading Fred's review, it makes mine look redundant.

It is a confidence builder for me that someone else feels as I do about the handles... combining them with Doug's tools has turned my turning experience up a notch.

As I said, I am a new turner and have learned the lesson that a lathe is just a down payment in this activity.
It seems there is always something else to buy but I have found that a tool of good steel holds an edge longer , which means less frequent sharpening and the tool lasting longer.

I bought some cheaper gouges that were ok, but were ground away due to firstly my learning how to sharpen and secondly having to sharpen more often to keep a keen edge.

I agree with Fred's assessment of the tool handle combination being a great combo.:D
 
Good timing on the thread.... I just placed an order the other day for three Thompson tools and was debating on making more handles. Figured I'd try something different, so with this post I ordered three of these handles. Hope I like them!:D
 
Paul Bennett is the new guy on the block with a solid aluminum, foam grip handle, Dave Peeble has been around for a couple years with his solid aluminum vinyl wrap handle. Both use set screws to hold the tool in place and at $25 -$35 worth a look.
 
Doug is on the process of making/designing handles now. Give him a ring I'm sure whatever he comes up with will be top notch.
 
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