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Recommendations on carbide tools?

Easy Wood Tools carbide scrapers are OK and have very nice handles, but they are rather expensive flat-topped scraping tools. I'm not familiar with Simple Carbide. I would recommend Hunter carbide tools which are true cutting tools. They come unhandled. I've been using them unhandled, but I'm sure they would be even better with a handle.
 
It’s hard to say without actually comparing them side by side. I’ve seen Easy Wood tools in the store and they look well made. As do Hunter tools. I’m not too sure though, are you asking about the cutters themselves?

I’ve made quite a few of my own tools with Carbide inserts and they work very well.

There is a guy on YouTube who demonstrates how the carbide tools he makes cut the wood rather than just scraping.

 
Easy wood tools just seem too expensive to me. The fit and finish are beautiful but i doubt that does much for tool performance. Replacement cutters are expensive too, although you can source your own and save money. I bought a cheap set of carbide with a handle, extension and 3 bars/cutters on Amazon for the few times I find carbide to be useful. Have never seen a Simple Turning tool in person but have looker at them online just because they have a hollowing system.
 
David Friedman said:
Carbide cutters is it worth spending more money for brands such as Easy and Simple carbide cutting tools? Thank you
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Addressing your specific question: I think Easy Wood and Simple Woodturning Tools are both great companies, and I have tools from both. I buy my replacement carbide inserts from AZ Carbide, which I think is cheaper, and a quality company (also great CS). Beyond just buying an insert of the correct size you also need to make sure that your screw (existing or replacement) is compatible with both the tool shaft and the replacement cutter.
 
Mark Jundanian said:
Addressing your specific question: I think Easy Wood and Simple Woodturning Tools are both great companies, and I have tools from both. I buy my replacement carbide inserts from AZ Carbide, which I think is cheaper, and a quality company (also great CS). Beyond just buying an insert of the correct size you also need to make sure that your screw (existing or replacement) is compatible with both the tool shaft and the replacement cutter.
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Thank you for the helpful information and resources. I want to continue using conventional tools, just was not sure about some of the cheaper carbide tools. Again thank you.
 
Bill Alston said:
It’s hard to say without actually comparing them side by side. I’ve seen Easy Wood tools in the store and they look well made. As do Hunter tools. I’m not too sure though, are you asking about the cutters themselves?

I’ve made quite a few of my own tools with Carbide inserts and they work very well.

There is a guy on YouTube who demonstrates how the carbide tools he makes cut the wood rather than just scraping.

Click to expand...
Thank you watching video, appreciate all the teaching.
 
I use Easy Wood tools extensively and can say they are high quality well made tools. I also have some Simple Turning Tools which also are well made and cheaper. And I love my Hunter tools too. Those who keep comparing carbide “scraping” tools to Hunter carbide tools are comparing apples to oranges. They both cut wood but do so entirely differently.
The important thing to be aware of is that whatever brand of carbide tool you choose, you are stuck with that brand’s cutters. There are quality non OM knockoffs, but you never know. And yes there are numerous Asian made carbide tools available ( just check Amazon) but the old adage about getting what you pay for, and good luck apply.
 
Bill Boehme said:
Easy Wood Tools carbide scrapers are OK and have very nice handles, but they are rather expensive flat-topped scraping tools. I'm not familiar with Simple Carbide. I would recommend Hunter carbide tools which are true cutting tools. They come unhandled. I've been using them unhandled, but I'm sure they would be even better with a handle.
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Thank you, I may buy one Hunter round to start, again thank you
 
Bernie Kopfer said:
I use Easy Wood tools extensively and can say they are high quality well made tools. I also have some Simple Turning Tools which also are well made and cheaper. And I love my Hunter tools too. Those who keep comparing carbide “scraping” tools to Hunter carbide tools are comparing apples to oranges. They both cut wood but do so entirely differently.
The important thing to be aware of is that whatever brand of carbide tool you choose, you are stuck with that brand’s cutters. There are quality non OM knockoffs, but you never know. And yes there are numerous Asian made carbide tools available ( just check Amazon) but the old adage about getting what you pay for, and good luck apply.
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Thank you for taking time to reply. I have spent probably too much time comparing tools and agree about your comment getting what you pay for, for myself it’s a hobby and everything I have read and all comments recommend Hunter tools. At my age I need to find tools that continue to make turning fun.
Do you like using the cupped carbides (Hunter’s Osprey tool)?
Again thank you.
 
As has been said Hunter gives a cut finish that is way better than all the others. You do need to decide what you want to do with it as because of the configuration they do different things. Watch some of @john lucas videos as they do have a learning curve.
 
David Friedman said:
Thank you. Are you using the Osprey cutter?
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I have the Osprey , but as mentioned by others it rather depends on what your goal is for what you want to achieve. For me the Osprey does not have the usability I had hoped for for my purposes (Though I do have some use for it still, just not a go-to tool for me, and reading back over everything I have learned since I think I would have been better off getting the Badger or Hercules, which I plan to do at some point in the future...) So it does depend on what your goals are. For me, the osprey is just a tad bit too small to achieve the results I am after. For you it might do the job, it may not. If you have a local club you might find someone with one or more versions of a hunter tool that you can try out, before buying one, which I would highly recommend. (Unfortunately for me, no clubs within reasonable drive for me out here in the boonies.) - As Gerald says, I'd at the very least suggest watching some of John Lucas' videos first...
 
Gerald Lawrence said:
As has been said Hunter gives a cut finish that is way better than all the others. You do need to decide what you want to do with it as because of the configuration they do different things. Watch some of @john lucas videos as they do have a learning curve.
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Thank you. I just subscribed to John Lucas and greatly appreciate all the support and useful information. There is a quality difference in tools, for myself whatever makes it fun, enables me to continue enjoying turning at my age I will look forward to watching his videos and purchasing Hunter tools. As a retired Soil Conservationist I appreciate the many resources from AAW.
Again thank you.
 
David Friedman said:
Thank you. Are you using the Osprey cutter?
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I have several but for hollowing I like the Viceroy. I am fine with fine with gouges for bowls except for the undercut for which the Hunter #4 works great. So you see one tool does not necessarily do it all.
 
It is not difficult to make your own tool bars and purchase inserts (AZ Carbide is a great source) for the flat top (scraper) type cutters. If you just cant make your own, recommend non-name brand stuff, and if needed get new cutters.

Cupped cutters are a totally different animal. I have made my own tool bars, patterned after hunter tools. The bars that hold the cutter “flat”, ie not tilted down, are not difficult to make. The bars that tilt the cutter forward are more challenging, and I have yet to make any bent bars for cupped cutters. Hunter would be the one to buy, not a knock-off.

Since you use hss tools, The flat tops are good for roughing, thats it. If you just want to play with them go cheap. At least a 1/2” bar - 5/8” is better. For cupped, look up @john lucas vids on utube. He does a great job of showing how they work. They are helpful in certain situations, but a bowl gouge is much better otherwise. I see them as a specialty tool or for those that dont want to sharpen for whatever reason.

I mainly use flat top and cupped cutters for hollowing, along with 3/16” hss bar stock.
 
This thread demonstrates the power of the knowledge the Forum members have knowing what and who is best. By listening to the advice one can learn and choose wisely and avoid struggling! This community is unlike any others! Enjoy those Hunter tools!
 
It’s not strictly true that you are tied to a particular manufacturer’s inserts. If you take the polished “cupped” inserts for example, these are manufactured to a common specification. This type of insert originally came from the metal working industry and is based on the RCGT specification. They are available in 6mm, 8mm 10mm & 12mm diameter. Care must be taken when buying this type of insert however as some do not have edges sharp enough to cut wood. All those I’ve seen offered specifically to wood turners though have been fine so far.
I particularly like the little 6mm cutters, they work great for hollowing. This is one of mine.

IMG_7453.jpeg
 
David Friedman said:
I would like to thank all the members who responded with helpful information. I contacted Hunter Tools, Mr. Mike Hunter replied to my email and also called, that is what I would call outstanding customer service. I just placed an order with Hunter Tools.
Again thanks to all.
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What did you end up getting? All this talk about Hunter carbide has me interested in giving one a try. I mostly turn bowls, so I'm leaning towards the #2 Osprey. Unfortunately, it looks like the #4 Hunter I've seen recommended here a few times has been discontinued.
 
Asher Langton said:
What did you end up getting? All this talk about Hunter carbide has me interested in giving one a try. I mostly turn bowls, so I'm leaning towards the #2 Osprey. Unfortunately, it looks like the #4 Hunter I've seen recommended here a few times has been discontinued.
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I am starting with a Stabilizer tool and additional replacement cutter #1. I have only been turning three years, awhile back I bought a small inexpensive carbide set and is awful to use. I am not a professional turner and this tool looks like it will facilitate finer turning for myself.
Looking forward to using the new tool. Again I am grateful for all the helpful comments from AAW members and information from Hunter tools.
 
I took the bait recently and bought the Yellowhammer set of three large carbide tools. I wasn't expecting much, but am very impressed with the quality of the tools and cutters. Nice long handles and replacements cutters for all three included. My only comparison is the Hunter Hercules and I find these just as good. A friend gave me an Easy Wood tool and it's OK, but I strongly dislike the tiny allen screws. They always seem to strip on me.
I only use carbide if I have epoxy in a piece, otherwise it's HSS.
 
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