Just ordered the AAW book on making tools. Who is a good source of HSS or other materials for making turning tools? TIA.
I've had good luck with these folks.
https://www.wttool.com/index/page/p...Round+Tool+Bits&update_continue_shopping=true
The link is for round tool bits, we are going to have a class and make one end a skew and the other a pyramid tool. It is definitely fun to turn with a tool you've made... Here's one but with 1/4 inch stock.
View attachment 32101
That is, to me, a skew which can be bought in several types and widths. Look for a farrier (shoes horses) in your area. They would have a high temp furnace and anvil to shape the tool.I want a special tool. I have approached a few black smiths about making it and no one has yet even considered it enough to even give me a price. I just don't know quite enough about tempering to finish the job. I even have a piece of HSS already. The problem is that it is more than just grinding, it will require some forge work to achieve the shape. I have not done any such work since Jr. High school. I want this: shown in the openingView: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsHqFUnsFAc
I want a special tool. I have approached a few black smiths about making it and no one has yet even considered it enough to even give me a price. I just don't know quite enough about tempering to finish the job. I even have a piece of HSS already. The problem is that it is more than just grinding, it will require some forge work to achieve the shape. I have not done any such work since Jr. High school. I want this: shown in the opening
Alan Lacer rounds off the edges of his skews, and he uses some monsters. But the round shank, I think presents some advantages for rolling beads and coves. The edge angles seems more acute than the standard skew here but with far more bevel for support of the blade against the stock. Riding the bevel where the bevel on a half inch skew is less than 3/16 inch is not the easiest for a beginner. Riding a bevel, where it is an inch or more, is a piece of cake. To me it seems round shank makes for more stability against the rest but still give the length of blade that a standard two inch wide skew would offer. Since I first watched these videos, I have been using my skew for a parting tool with much cleaner cuts. Could be this is the one tool that could advance me to turning greatness ))or just another in a long line of promising let downs oops.That is, to me, a skew which can be bought in several types and widths. Look for a farrier (shoes horses) in your area. They would have a high temp furnace and anvil to shape the tool.
Only one tool to turning greatness? With my kind of luck, my ship will come in and I'll be at the airport.Could be this is the one tool that could advance me to turning greatness ))or just another in a long line of promising let downs oops.