We hear about a new tool and think its going to be the next great thing since the invention of wonder bread and we got to give it a try so we buy it. I think we as turners are all guilty of collecting tools, I have a least 8 skews. I know I have a bunch of tools that I haven't used in a long time and some I only used once to twice.

QOTW: What five turning tools you purchased that you wish you hadn't, that are collecting dust, or didn't really make you a better turner?  If you wish you may elaborate why.

I am a newbie in wood turning, but I am really cautious when I buy something. Even if I need to spend 1 dollar. That's a big discussion with my wife. She buys stuff just because "It is only 2 dollars with the coupon!" (She is American ). The deal is, it is not how much it is, it is about "Will I use it? How many times?".
I will be honest, but there is really not much. I can answer with a no to all Ed's questions. I made some of those special tools (captive rings tool, box scrapers, etc.) by myself and I am not a fun of DIY. I mean if it is worth it, ok, but I would rather spend X dollars than investing 4 hours for figuring out about it instead of turning. So if it is quick and easy..good, I will do it by myself. If it is not and it is something that I am not sure if I will use it, then I can live without.

But I can probably say, the detail spindle gouge. I use it, but not as much as I want. Mostly because I use a skew for the 50% of what I do, then is all scrapers, bowl gouges and parting tools.
Also, believe it or not, I get a lot of catches with that detail spindle gouge and I end up to ruin the piece or it is a"changing the design opportunity" scenario

StefanoBastianelli wrote on Mar 21^st, 2017 at 9:13am:

I think we're sort of on the same page with this. I can make the "usual tools" that many turners make (Parting tool comes to mind) and somehow convince themselves they saved money.  , I just choose not to, it's simply not cost effective to me. I know what my time is worth.

Ron Sardo wrote on Mar 21^st, 2017 at 9:36am:


I'm an advocate for "FULL SIZE" tools
I can't believe they still sell those tiny things.

Sometimes it's difficult to tell what's going to "get you" (even if you've been buying tools for decades, you can still get caught from time to time)
In one sense I don't really regret buying any tools, although I did learn from my purchases and definitely know what I won't buy again.
1. Faceplate rings, I never like the way they seated on the chuck jaws.
2. Sorby spinflemaster, (sold it) IMO a good idea, executed poorly
3. Anything handled, I've found that most tool handles are either too short, too small in diameter, cheap wood or a combination of some kind.
4. Nova G3 (sold it) I know some people love them, I do not. IMO it's a good idea that remains unfinished.
5. MISC, there are tools that came as part of a kit that get seldom, if ever used (these are the tools that get reground for that "experimental" tool) and there are tools that are not strictly dedicated to turning, like bandsaw blades (I'll never buy Timberwolf again)

Wished I hadn't:
1.  When I first started turning:  Harbor Freight $19 set of 6 turning tools.  Yikes - lightweight, poor quality carbon steel, tool has almost no mass, construction is poor, not even good for re-purposing.
2. Set of 5 Wilton Minitools (thought these might be needed for small spindle details.  Maybe for doll furniture?)  Same problems as above.
3. Small expanding collet chuck (the one for pocket watches) - don't make that many pocket watches, and normally default to regular chucks.

Collecting dust:
4. Extension bed for my mini-lathe.  Its on there, gives me 38" spindle capacity, but I just don't use it.  Purchased just before I bought the larger lathe which has ~34inch capacity, which is generally sufficient.
5. Jury is still out: Woodcraft Woodriver 3/8in V-fluted bowl gouge.  I'm a U-flute guy, I guess, hard to adapt to the V-flute.

Only 5???

1. Tormek- great, but unnecessary
2. Carter bandsaw circle jig- only good for flat stock, not bowl blanks
3. Varigrind 2 - prefer the original
4. bed extension of my Delta 46-460 - still in the box
5. Monster base for the aforementioned 46-460- what was I thinking? put it on the Powermatic for God's sake!

For what it's worth, I like the skew attachment for the Wolverine. Once figured out it works great for me!

Bert Delisle wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2017 at 11:17am:



"Lucky" isn't the word for it, I would call you an anomaly.

You never had a tool prematurely break?
Never had a tool that did not perform as it was "supposed to'?
Never purchased a tool only to find it really wasn't worth the purchase price?

I do my research on the tools I purchase but you can still get bit once in a while, not often but it happens.
If you have some "Luck" to spare I'll gladly take some.

Bert Delisle wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2017 at 12:07pm:


I can't argue with that statement. I can think of a few tools that people try to duplicate a commercially made product only to achieve dismal quality and at times it wound up costing more in the long run.

1. I have a Sorby continental spindle gouge that I haven't found a use for as of yet
2. I have the Wolverine skew attachment that goes unused
3. I have a set of pin jaws for the Easy Chuck - I like the chuck for most things, but the pin jaws have too much play in them
4. I bought an old Mongomery Wards (PowerKraft) lathe from a co-worker that just sits - I was going to make a disc sander from it but then I bought a disc sander.
5. ????????????????????? maybe I'll think of something later.