Making wood lathe chisels ????

Finster

Finster

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Thinking about making some wood lathe chisels. I think I could make nicer ones than I can buy for the same amount of money and it seems like it could be a nice little project. I was thinking of making them out of M2 steel? Any thoughts?
 
Easy to make scrapers, skews and hollowing tools. M2 is used in many UK brand turning tools.

What types of turnings do you make?
 
Dave Paine said:
Easy to make scrapers, skews and hollowing tools. M2 is used in many UK brand turning tools.

What types of turnings do you make?
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The usual, legs, spindles, a bowl here and there. I do a little of everything. I would like to make a few gouges, I figure I can do that with a carbide ball mill. Scrapers, parting tools and whatever else fits my fancy. I figure M2 should keep a good edge. I've never tried to machine it though. I'm thinking carbide should cut it?
 
I made my wood lathe tools by slowly grinding hard files---they kept their sharp edge nice and worked good--I also used some super hard cement chisels for a couple shapes---it's fun using your own home made tools that work perfect---I also made some of my hand carving tools out of old files -----Dave
 
I do not know the nuances of how the flute profile affects turning. From what I have read, it seems a parabolic profile is preferred over the "U" shape you will get with a ball mill. It should still cut though.

Another option is replaceable tips screwed or glued onto a shaft of other steel. Wood-cut in NZ sell these. I made a tool from such a tip for a local turning friend. His style glued on. I have a screw on tip which I have not yet made into a tool.

http://www.woodcut-tools.com/store/c31/Tips.html

M2 should keep a decent edge. I have some Henry Taylor, Robert Sorby, Crown and Ashley Iles tools which are likely M2. The spec was not defined. They cut well enough.

Is the stock you have annealed or hardened? This will affect the ease of machining.
 
I haven't bought any stock yet. I'm just kicking the idea around at the moment. I was thinking of annealing it, shaping it and hardening it with an oil dip. Figure I can polish them after with a wire wheel. I also saw a few that had carbide tips, just everyday triangle inserts. I may make a few different ones with softer steel using inserts just for kicks.
 
Dave Smith said:
I made my wood lathe tools by slowly grinding hard files---they kept their sharp edge nice and worked good--I also used some super hard cement chisels for a couple shapes---it's fun using your own home made tools that work perfect---I also made some of my hand carving tools out of old files -----Dave
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Yea, old files are great for making things like this. I may keep my eyes out at the flea markets. An old sharpening steel would probably make a nice smaller gouge also.
 
If you want to experiment, how about making a tool from O1 drill rod. Inexpensive, available in many diameters, already annealed and easy to machine then easy to harden.
 
Hi Finster,
for woodworking tools you could get away with any medium to high carbon tool steel, or even braze or silver solder a hunk of carbide to a mild steel backing and sharpen as necessary
good luck!
 
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