modern/new Jerry Glaser tools

[Steve Tiedman]

Is anyone, has anyone, bought Jerry Glaser turning tools in recent times? Bringing him up in the recent TiN coating thread, I was curious about the brand in recent times. Jerry passed away in 2013.

I never followed his brand, I had no interest, nor the budget for them. I don't know what Jerry's company makeup was back then, but today...

I looked up Jerry Glaser turning tools, and here is the About Us from the website-

About Us

And the same from the parent company, located at the same physical address-

About ATC – ATC, Inc.

From Glaser-
"Our products are manufactured by Advanced Theoretical Concepts, a leader in the development and engineering of precision components for the US Military, aerospace and Deep Space Exploration."

And woodturning tools. Sure, why not? Everyone, even a corporation, should have a hobby.

So, anyone dropping $200-300 apiece for Glaser tools nowadays?

 

[Mark Hepburn]

I had a set of the miniGlazer QR that I used up at Steven Kennards in Nova Scotia. Good tool set but I don’t like changing handles. I sold the set.

It was great for traveling but I don’t do demos so…

 

[Bob Sheppard]

I have no idea what the current crop of Glaser tools are like, but I have a Glaser gouge that I bought new from Jerry at the Philly symposium in (I think) 1988. I don't turn a lot of bowls so the gouge still has a lot of life in it. It does hold an edge for a long time and I'm happy to have it in my collection of tools.

 

[Richard Coers]

1 1/4 round scraper is $275! 1/2” bowl gouge is $205! But according to Hans, the chisels rank higher than having a son!

A good thing to have!​

“ Other than my marriage, working with Glaser Tools is the best thing that has ever happened to me. They are the only tools I use. Anf it is a good thing that I have enough of them to last me thre rest of my life. “

Hans Weissflog
Master Woodturner

 

[Wyatt Holm]

So I understand that the line of tools was bought by a famous woodturner a few years back. They are still in development, but several tools are currently available. I am not sure how similar they are to the original. But here you go:

5/8" 15V Elliptical Bowl™ Gouge

There have never been woodturning blades like our New Revolution Gouge™ Series. (PATENT PENDING) With an Ultra-Advanced Design made with unique new manufacturing and lamination processes, we offer a game-changing level of new gouges. Advancements in Gouge Design & Materials In 1980, Stuart Batty...

stuartbattytools.com

 

[Steve Tiedman]

So I understand that the line of tools was bought by a famous woodturner a few years back. They are still in development, but several tools are currently available. I am not sure how similar they are to the original. But here you go:

5/8" 15V Elliptical Bowl™ Gouge

There have never been woodturning blades like our New Revolution Gouge™ Series. (PATENT PENDING) With an Ultra-Advanced Design made with unique new manufacturing and lamination processes, we offer a game-changing level of new gouges. Advancements in Gouge Design & Materials In 1980, Stuart Batty...

stuartbattytools.com

Hello Wyatt, I don't think that is the case, of Stuart Batty buying the Glaser brand. Unless I missed something, somewhere. The links I included above show that to be the case. Stuart develops his own tools.

 

[Bill Blasic]

The guy that bought Jerry's business hates Doug Thompson with a passion. Doug Thompson didn't buy anybody's business. He started reading about steel as he was a woodturner. He settled on A11 (10V) steel as he was a user of the original Glasers and started working in his garage. And because of all his study and because he was part machinist he made his first gouges. He took some to an AAW Symposium on the West coast to show them around and was asked to leave. I had joined the Cleveland club and met Doug and he was letting folks try them out. I got a 5/8"V and that basically change my turning life. In due time the 30 plus wood handled gouges were gone. In the mean time the guy who bought Glaser made a huge splash at the AAW Symposium with a huge display with Glaser tools hanging from the display and Stuart Batty as a spokesman and they were as expensive then as they are now. Doug has tried his best to keep the tools priced so they are affordable to most. There you go a short history. Now I don't even want to get started about Stuart Batty Some of you may not know but after getting that first tool from Doug I was in his booth selling those tools for the next 18 years or so, I just loved talking to woodturners.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

The guy that bought Jerry's business hates Doug Thompson with a passion. Doug Thompson didn't buy anybody's business. He started reading about steel as he was a woodturner. He settled on A11 (10V) steel as he was a user of the original Glasers and started working in his garage. And because of all his study and because he was part machinist he made his first gouges. He took some to an AAW Symposium on the West coast to show them around and was asked to leave. I had joined the Cleveland club and met Doug and he was letting folks try them out. I got a 5/8"V and that basically change my turning life. In due time the 30 plus wood handled gouges were gone. In the mean time the guy who bought Glaser made a huge splash at the AAW Symposium with a huge display with Glaser tools hanging from the display and Stuart Batty as a spokesman and they were as expensive then as they are now. Doug has tried his best to keep the tools priced so they are affordable to most. There you go a short history. Now I don't even want to get started about Stuart Batty Some of you may not know but after getting that first tool from Doug I was in his booth selling those tools for the next 18 years or so, I just loved talking to woodturners.

I'm with you Bill. I don't know Mr. Thompson other than to shake his hand at a vendor booth in Pittsburgh (loooong time ago), but he was a very nice guy.

I just bought a 1/4" detail gouge for only $35 on his site (I have other tools as well). And handles you can make from scrap and a ferrule, so that's a fantastic deal and even more so considering the quality.

Almost ten years ago I asked him about a parting tool; he said the scrap rate was pretty high but he ended up making the 1/8" parting tool that I just love. I have a spare for when I wear the first one down to a nub.

As for Glaser tools, I didn't find that they were the apex of turning tools. I prefer Thompson and Crown PM in every aspect. And the thing I didn't like about my set was having to swap tools into the handle for every operation.

 

[Wyatt Holm]

No Stuart did not buy the brand, his former partner did. He has separated businesses and is making his own. His former partner is not making any.

 

[robo hippy]

I think I have an old Glaser gouge or two around the shop some where. They were the 15V and had the shot filled handles. I didn't and still do not like the weighted handles at all. Just too heavy for a full day of turning. I have a lot of Thompson tools. I don't think Doug makes the smaller tools like Jimmy at D Way does, and Jimmy started as Box Master tools, so lots of smaller ones, like 1/2 inch wide and 1/4 thick. As far as 10V and 15V, I really don't know if there is enough edge retention difference to make it worth the extra expense. For sure there is a HUGE difference between standard M2 and M42 and V10. The V flute Glaser tool was way too narrow, so it would always clog up when taking heavy roughing cuts, and I mean always.

robo hippy

 

[Steve Tiedman]

As far as the tool steel world goes, us at-home woodturners aren't even a blip on the radar of these steel manufacturers. They make these steels for industry first, such as manufacturing machinery, like die cutting/stamping. Think stamping out car fenders, or millions of other things, from sheet metal, plastic, rubber, and other materials all day long. Peeling logs for plywood. Even cutlery uses more steel than the turning tool industry. That's where the balance of attributes mentioned above really comes to light. Us woodturners, we're just the happy benefactor of someone's good idea (like Glaser) to use those steels for other purposes.

 

[Bill Blasic]

As far as 10V and 15V, I really don't know if there is enough edge retention difference to make it worth the extra expense.
Robo a quick comparison of Thompson vs D-Way shows 5/8 V at Thompson $100 and at D-way 5/8" $99, 1/2"V at Thompson $75 and at D-way 1/2" $85. Not much difference and I do have a few from D-way.

 

[John K Jordan]

As for Glaser tools, I didn't find that they were the apex of turning tools. I prefer Thompson and Crown PM in every aspect. And the thing I didn't like about my set was having to swap tools into the handle for every operation.

I don't much care for proprietary tool handles, even if they are quick-change.

Sorry if you've seen this before...

I buy Thompson and other tools without handles and make handles with inserts I make from aluminum, brass, or steel. I've made lots of handles like this so usually I only have to swap them when a tool gets dull and I pull a spare sharp one from the drawer. (A storing tools with no handles takes up a LOT less space than if each tool has a handle!)



Use them for Hunter tools too.



These are cheap and easy to make - if interested I posted a document on how I make them - mostly on the wood lathe with woodturning tools.

Thread 'Turning metal on a wood lathe'

Oct 6, 2024

I wrote this PFD document for a demo I did on turning metals, primarily aluminum and brass, on a wood lathe with woodturning tools. Relativity easy to do!

For an example I show how I make inserts for lathe tools. The one I show is fairly small but the method is the same for any size.

JKJ

• John K Jordan
• Replies: 32
• Forum: Tutorials and Tips

• 

I really like handles where I can store the excess length of a long shaft deep in the handle and leave just the working end exposed. As the tool gets shorter, I can keep the same working length exposed. I think a shorter and consistent exposed length helps me with fine tool control when turning certain things.



Some years ago Thompson and other started making handles like this with room inside the handle to park extra tool length.

JKJ

 

[Mark Hepburn]

I don't much care for proprietary tool handles, even if they are quick-change.

Sorry if you've seen this before...

I buy Thompson and other tools without handles and make handles with inserts I make from aluminum, brass, or steel. I've made lots of handles like this so usually I only have to swap them when a tool gets dull and I pull a spare sharp one from the drawer. (A storing tools with no handles takes up a LOT less space than if each tool has a handle!)

View attachment 79754

Use them for Hunter tools too.

View attachment 79755

These are cheap and easy to make - if interested I posted a document on how I make them - mostly on the wood lathe with woodturning tools.

Thread 'Turning metal on a wood lathe'

Oct 6, 2024

I wrote this PFD document for a demo I did on turning metals, primarily aluminum and brass, on a wood lathe with woodturning tools. Relativity easy to do!

For an example I show how I make inserts for lathe tools. The one I show is fairly small but the method is the same for any size.

JKJ

• John K Jordan
• Replies: 32
• Forum: Tutorials and Tips

• 

I really like handles where I can store the excess length of a long shaft deep in the handle and leave just the working end exposed. As the tool gets shorter, I can keep the same working length exposed. I think a shorter and consistent exposed length helps me with fine tool control when turning certain things.

View attachment 79756

Some years ago Thompson and other started making handles like this with room inside the handle to park extra tool length.

JKJ

I grew so accustomed to buying unhandled tools from Thompson that i never even noticed that he sells handles too. But I do prefer to turn my own, admittedly not as fancy and clever as yours. ;-)

I usually use brass for the ferrule and epoxy the tool into the handle.

 

[David Shombert]

I had several of Jerry’s original tools, and as the steel got used up I realized that I had come to really prefer the handles - the way they felt in hand, the way they wouldn’t roll, everything about them. So I drilled & tapped a couple holes in each one for set screws and I continue to use them long after Jerry’s steel is gone. Any tools that I’ve bought since then, I’ve bought from Doug; I like the quality and I like him.

 

[John K Jordan]

Any tools that I’ve bought since then, I’ve bought from Doug; I like the quality and I like him.

Have you tried Doug's handles? I make most of my handles but have a couple of Doug's and like them for certain tools. Also won't roll.

 

[Bill Blasic]

I prefer to take the tool out of the handle to sharpen. I have single collet handles and double collet handles and some of Thompson rounded corner square handles. My favorites though are the original Thompson round soft covered aluminum handles. Just love the way they feel and they are comfortable any time of the year, winter summer they always feel good.