Even though you may have the right wood and lathe, you aren’t ready to start until you have the best woodturning tools. The best tools will do the job well and make sure that your project is a success. Since there are many tool kits to choose from, it may be confusing to know what to look for.
Six Options
In this buying guide, we work on comparing the different woodturning tool sets that you can find on the market. All of these can be considered to be good options, though ultimately only your needs will determine which is the best option for you. Here is a quick view at what we have for you today:
1. Savannah Carbide Turning Tool
The Savannah Carbide kit is easy to use and can be used by turners of all skill levels. They come with a rotatable cutter head that limits the need to sharpen the turning tool. When you rotate the cutter head, you automatically get a sharp edge.
It has been made from carbide, which can stay sharper for longer as compared to those made of steel.
The shaft of the carbide turning tool has a flat back to give you more stability when you are turning. The handles are made of solid wood ash with a coating of a rubber grip. This gives you comfort and prevents you from becoming easily fatigued while you are turning.
Product Specification
- Package Dimensions: 21.25 x 3.5 x 3.25 inches
- Product weight: 3.14 pounds
Pros
- Comes with three tools in a set, all of which have different shapes
- Easy to use
- Comes with a rotatable cutter that limits the need for sharpening
- Made from carbide, which does not become dull easily
- The shaft has a flat back for more stability
- Comfortable handle with rubber grip
Cons
- Poor packaging
- May not be as good for hardwood shaping
2. PSI Woodworking LCHOL3C Wood Lathe Carbide Tip Mini Hollowing Tool 3pc Chisel Set
All the tools have a length of 15 inches: a 10 inch handle and a 5 inch blade. The base blade is about .375 inches.
The product comes with a 2-year warranty.
Product Specifications
- Product dimensions: 16.7 x 6.95 x 2.2 inches
- Product weight: 1 pound
Pros
- Great for making hollow tools
- Small but thick carbide cutters
- Made of carbide which is more durable than other materials like stainless steel
- Carbide tips are replaceable and readily available
Cons
- Carbide is prone to rust if improperly maintained
- Replacement cutters are fairly expensive and almost warrant buying the set again
3. Savannah HSS Woodworking Lathe Chisel Set 8 Piece Set for Woodturning
The eight tools contained in the toolset include: a parting tool, scraper, skew chisel, round nose scraper, bowl gouge, spear scraper, and roughing gouge.
Every tool has a ferrule fitting and is balanced to give you stability while turning. The tools can always be sharpened whenever a need arises. While the tools do come pre-sharpened, it is recommended that you check the edges before using them for woodturning.
Unlike many tool sets, this one comes with a closed wooden case to ensure that your tools are properly stored when not in use.
Product specifications
- Product dimensions: 18 x 13.5 x 2 inches
- Product weight: 5.2 pounds
Pros
- All skill levels can use these tools
- Blades are made from high-speed steel
- Eight different tools for versatility
- The tools have a ferrule fitting
- It comes in a wooden case
Cons
- The tools may need to be sharpened before use
- Some users complained that not all the tools in the package were HSS grade
4. YUFUTOL Carbide Woodturning Tool Mini Size (3 Piece Set)
Each tool has a comfortable grip to give you a smooth experience while using it. They are a perfect match for small to midsize projects. Every set comes with six extra carbide inserts.
The tools are easy to use and beginner-friendly. You can easily create curves when you turn, and there is no need for complicated angles. Plus, they can be used without sharpening.
Product specifications
- Package Dimensions: 13.3 x 2.9 x 2.5 inches
- Product weight: 0.141 ounces
Pros
- Comfortable grip
- Easy to use and beginner friendly
- Can be used without sharpening
- Perfect for precision or intricate work
Cons
- They do not come in a carrying case
5. PSI Woodworking LCHSS8 Wood Lathe 8pc HSS Chisel Set
The set comes with a wooden case that can be used for storage or bringing the tools to and from a worksite. It comes with a two year warranty and does not require special skills to use, making it perfect for beginners and professionals alike.
Product Specifications
- Product dimensions: 2 x 18 x 13.5 inches
- Product weight: 7.17 pounds
Pros
- Comes with a case for storage and carrying
- Simple to use
- Great for beginners and pros
- Eight different tools for flexibility
- Made from high-speed steel material
Cons
- Some users did not find them to be sharp
- The blades may become dull after a short time
6. Simple Woodturning Tools Carbide Tools
Each tool has been made using carbide, which is very sturdy and durable. The handles are made of aluminum and a foam rubber grip covers it for added control and comfort.
Every tool is engraved so that you can be sure of the exact type of tool if you need a replacement and to ensure it’s made of quality materials.
Product Specification
- Product dimensions: 20 x 4 x 4 inches
- Product weight:4.69 pounds
Pros
- Easy to use
- Sharp
- Carbide steel blades and aluminum handles
- Comfortable grip
- Heavy-duty
- Versatile tool set
- Easy to find replacement parts
Cons
- The tools may need to be sharpened before use
Buyer’s Guide
All of the tools above are excellent choices that will serve you well. In this part of the guide, we focus on the specifics to help in your decision making. If you are looking for the best woodturning tools, we have outlined the best budget option as well as our overall favorite.
The Cheapest
When we compare the prices, the cheapest set is the PSI Woodworking chisel set that retails at $68.90 and comes with three tools. However, the best value may instead be the Savannah HSS Woodworking Lathe Chisel Set, which retails at $74.99 and comes with eight different tools.
Our Overall Recommendation
In fact, our overall recommendation is indeed the Savannah HSS Woodworking Lathe Chisel Set as it comes with eight different tools, is made from HSS and retails at $74.99. It’s also beginner friendly but will still do the job for professionals too.
Extra Information that May Be Helpful
Choosing Woodturning Tools
Having the right tools makes a big difference in achieving what you want. It’s also vital to remember you do not need many tools to make a project, many tools are multifunctional. While it may be helpful, it’s not essential to buy as many tools as you can, as you will notice that you will never use some tools.
However, some of the basic woodturning tools that you need include a roughing gouge, spindle gouge, skew, and a parting tool. They all come in different sizes, such as ¾ inch, ½ inch, ¼ inch, and 3/16 inch.
For your convenience, we have outlined some of the purposes for the best woodturning tools to have.
Roughing Gouge
This is a valuable tool that is used for the removal of waste wood. It’s formed like a deep flute gouge with a straight cutting edge. You can use it to make deep thick cuts on the corners of a spinning blank.
Spindle Gouge
A lighter blade that can be used to provide curved shapes.
Skews
This is a flat chisel but with two bezels that are on each side of the wide blade. For most, it’s one of the hardest tools to use, but it’s also very versatile. Many seasoned woodturners use skews for roughing, pairing, and finishing. It can give you an excellent finish without doing any sanding.
Parting Tool
As it sounds, this is a great tool for dividing a blank into different segments to attain depths and to cut pieces out for intricate designs.
Bowl Gouge
Bowl gouges come in the form of a deep fluted gouge, which is similar in a way to the spindle gouge only that it runs deeper as compared to the spindle gouge. It’s excellent for shaping bowls or making wooden pots.
Swept-back Grind Bowl Gouge
This is almost similar to the regular bowl gouge only that the grinder is not straight, but swept back and looks like the letter U. This allows the wings of the tool to act as cutting edges for hollowing at smaller projects.
Scraper
Scrapers come in different styles. Like the name suggests, a scraper is used for scraping harsh edges out of the wood in preparation for another project. Some woodturners use it for finesse work.
Sharpening your Woodturning Tools
Even if you have the right tools, they will not be able to do the job well if they are not sharp. There are different sharpening systems that you can use depending on what you prefer. One of the standard methods used is using a grinding stone. Usually, every tool will have a recommendation on the preferred sharpening system.
Conclusion
We hope this guide helps you find the best woodturning tools. Happy carving!