Best wood lathe tools for beginners are essential when it comes to making your own art or other projects.
The best wood lathe tools for beginners are usually the most basic, but still offer plenty of functionality. While the most basic tools serve their purpose they do not offer the best quality.
This article will explore the best wood lathe tools for beginners in order to help you find the right tool for your needs.
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Best Wood Lathe Tools For Beginners
| Image | Product | Details | Price |
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Robert Sorby H6542 Turning Tool Set (8 Piece) | This HSS Turning Tool Set Includes 3/4″ Roughing Gouge, 1/4″ And 1/2″ Spindle Gouge, 3/8″ Bowl Gouge, 3/4″ Standard Skew, 3/16″ Diamond Side Cut Scraper, 1″ Square Scraper, And 1/2″ Round Scraper. | SEE BEST PRICE |
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PSI Woodworking LCHSS8 HSS Chisel Set | The set includes 3/16″ Parting Tool 5/8″ Spear Scraper 1″ Skew Chisel 5/8″ Skew Chisel 5/8″ Round Nose Scraper 1/2″ Bowl Gouge 3/4″ Spindle Gouge 7/8″ Roughing Gouge | SEE BEST PRICE |
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Mophorn Woodworking Lathe Chisel Set 8 Piece | The lathe tools include 8 essential chisels: 3 x Gauge Chisel, 2 x Skew Chisel, 1 x Round Nose Scraper, 1 x Standard Parting, and 1 x Diamond Parting. One 5/8″ chisel for you. | SEE BEST PRICE |
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Yellowhammer Turning Tools Essentials 8 Piece | Includes 8 essential chisels: 1 each of 5/8″ Shear Scraper, 3/16″ Parting Tool, 5/8″ Round Nose Scraper, 5/8″ Skew Chisel, 1″ Skew Chisel, 1/2″ Bowl Gouge, 7/8″ Roughing Gouge, 1″ Roughing Gouge | SEE BEST PRICE |
Let’s have a look at these 4 best wood lathe tools for beginners in more details!
Robert Sorby H6542 Tool Set (Best Overall)
This 8-piece HSS Turning Tool Set is perfect for beginners and will give them everything they need to start out in the world of turning.
This set includes 8 high-quality tools that provide excellent stability and durability. This series is made from high-carbon steel with handles that make it easy to use and feel comfortable on your hands. All these features come together in a set that can last you years without any problems or fuss.
This 8-Pc. HSS Turning Tool Set Includes the following tools:
- 3/4″ Roughing Gouge,
- 1/4″ And 1/2″ Spindle Gouge,
- 3/8″ Bowl Gouge,
- 3/4″ Standard Skew,
- 3/16″ Diamond Side Cut Scraper,
- 1″ Square Scraper,
- 1/2″ Round Scraper.
This product is perfect for beginners who want an all-inclusive starting kit.
The reputation of Sorby steel is well-established, and it has been used by expert turners for decades.
PSI Woodworking LCHSS8 (Most Popular)
Itching to start your next woodturning project but don’t know which chisel to use? Say hello to the PSI Woodworking LCHSS8 Wood Lathe 8pc HSS Chisel Set – it’s everything you need for all kinds of projects.
From pens and pepper mills, spindles, bowls, and so much more!
Each chisel is made with high-quality M2 steel that will withstand daily usage without wearing down or blunting.
They also come in a beautiful wooden case that makes portability easy. This set comes with one each 3/16″ Parting Tool 5/8″ Spear Scraper 1″ Skew Chisel 5/8″ Skew Chisel 5/8″ Round Nose Scraper 1/2″ Bowl Gouge 3/4″ Spindle Gouge 7/8″ Roughing Gouge.
This kit contains everything you’ll need to get started turning wood. It’s great for woodturners and pen turners of all skill levels.
Mophorn Woodworking Chisel Set (Best Under $100)
With this set of high-speed steel honing chisels, you’ll be able to work to improve your lathe skills with precision.
Any tool enthusiast needs a good set to use in their workshop and at home! The durable design makes it convenient for both professionals or DIYers looking to sharpen up their craft.
The Mophorn Woodworking Lathe Chisel Set has eight pieces so you can equip yourself with everything from gauging essential tools to more detailed pieces for improving your technique.
High-speed steel(HSS) blades are securely fastened to the handle by sturdy brass ferrules, ensuring that chisels work safely and dependably.
The handles are made of solid wood (red eucalyptus). It’s more comfortable doing a turning task thanks to the ergonomic design. Each tool handle is made from beautiful hardwood that is about 9.06 inches long (23cm).
On top of that, you also get a beautiful wooden box, great for keeping tools organized and stored away.
Yellowhammer Turning Tools Essentials (Runner Up)
Join the ranks of the woodturning pros with this 8 piece set! Made from quality HSS steel blades and ergonomic beech handles, this 8-piece turning tool kit is a budget-friendly alternative for turners of all skill levels.
With a wide variety of shapes and sizes, you’ll find that these tools fit a lot more than just your basic needs, giving you versatility in any project.
The set includes 5/8″ Shear Scraper, 3/16″ Parting Tool, 5/8″ Round Nose Scraper, 5/8″ Skew Chisel, 1″ Skew Chisel, 1/2″ Bowl Gouge, 7/8″ Roughing Gouge, 1″ Roughing Gouge. You also get an attractive case with a handle for easy storage.
The ergonomic handles allow better grip and control which is perfect for demanding tasks. Not only will the 8 pieces set last longer than standard carbon blades, but it’s also affordable so whether you’re just starting out or have been at it for years, you can stand proud knowing your investment in this Eight Piece Set won’t break the bank!
What Tools Do I Need For A Wood Lathe?
Let’s take a look at all the tools you will be needing for woodturning:
For spindle turning
- roughing gouge,
- a spindle gouge,
- a skew chisel,
- and a parting tool.
For faceplate/bowl turning
- bowl gouge
- scraper
Roughing Gouge
A roughing gouge is an essential tool in any spindle turners kit. The roughing gouge was created specifically to transform square wood into a round between centers. It should never be used to rough out bowls.
Spindle Gouges
After the rough cut, you must begin shaping the log and adding more features like coves or beads with a spindle gouge. As a result, after that procedure, you won’t need the roughing gouge. If you pay attention, you’ll notice that the flute of the spindle gouge is larger than that of other spindle gouges.
Skew Chisel
Skew chisels are primarily used for smoothing and cleaning the corners of dovetails, as well as extremely precise paring and finishing of a variety of wood construction techniques. These chisels may also be used to finish the end grain.
Parting Tools
Parting tools may be used to remove any undesirable substances from your workpiece. They will aid in the production of a thin line on the piece. Rectangular, Diamond, Fluted, Square are some of the types of parting tools.
Bowl Gouges
Don’t use a spindle gouge to make bowls. This can lead to accidents. A bowl gouge is for making bowls only. This has a special flute on it that will remove large pieces of wood from the bowl blank, but it is different than the one on the spindle gouge. That one is wider.
Scrapers
Scrapers can be used to finish bowl blanks. They are either round or square. The round scraper is for the inside of the bowl, and the square one is for the outside of it. Scrapers are useful because they can go into corners that sometimes gouges and chisels cannot reach.
For spindle projects, all you need are gouges, chisels, and parting tools. Then comes the Faceplate, where gouges and scrapers can be used.
You can buy your tools one by one, or you can buy them as a set. Either way is good. But I highly suggest that you get the set if you are just starting out with DIY projects.
What Woodturning Tools Should A Beginner Use?
A beginner should use the basic tools that come with most wood lathe toolsets. The tools in most kits will be suitable for a beginner’s needs of turning basic shapes and items such as spindles, pepper mills, candle holders, etc.
If you are serious about turning and plan on making it a career, then you will need to invest in the best wood lathe tools you can find.
A good toolset goes a long way. Don’t go cheap, but don’t spend your whole paycheck either.
It is best to purchase a woodturning toolset that comes with a variety of lathe tools. This set should have a gouge for hollowing out the inside of a piece as well as other types of turning tools for cutting and shaping. You will also need to purchase a wood lathe chuck to hold your work.
If you plan on making money from turning, then you will need a sturdy toolset with high-quality steel so that they stay sharp and don’t wear out too quickly.
How To Choose The Best Wood Lathe Tools For Beginners
The best lathe tools for beginners will be made from high-quality steel. They should also come with a storage case to keep the woodturning tools organized and to protect them from damage when not in use.
Here are some things to keep in mind when purchasing lathe tools:
HSS steel
HSS steel is the best choice when it comes to cutting tools.
Handles
Ergonomic handles are essential for woodturners, especially if they plan on spending hours at a time working with their lathe tools. Woodturning tools with wooden handles are a lot more comfortable to grip and they’re also beautiful.
Storage case
A storage case is essential for protecting your woodturning tools when not in use. A good lathe toolset will come with a storage case that keeps the tools organized and safely stored away when you’re not using them.
Sets vs. individual items
It’s best to purchase your woodturning tools as a set because you’ll often get a much better deal than when purchasing each item individually. If you don’t need all the tools from a set then it makes sense to purchase only the tool you need.
Price
Don’t go cheap on your lathe tools, but you don’t have to spend a fortune either. If you plan on making a career out of turning then it’s best to invest in the best wood lathe tools for beginners. However, if you’re just starting out and this is more of a hobby for you, then a cheaper lathe toolset should be totally fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on what type of projects you plan to do. A kit with basic tools will suffice, but you will need at least a roughing gouge, a spindle gouge, a chisel, and a parting tool.
Beginners don’t need too much to get started.
You will only need basic tools which are usually included with most wood lathe sets. You can also purchase other types of specialized lathe tools later on, but for now, you should be fine with the basics.
If you plan on making this your full-time career, it is a good idea to invest in high-quality lathe tools with durable blades.
The four basic tools you will need are a roughing gouge, a spindle gouge, a skew chisel, and a parting tool.
For bowl turning, you will also need a bowl gouge and a scraper.
Final Thoughts
If you are just starting out in this trade, or have been doing it for a while and want to upgrade your toolkit, then the list of tools we suggested will be useful.
You may find that more advanced items offer better quality than their basic counterparts; they also provide more versatility. This can make them worth the investment if you plan on continuing with the craft long term.
We hope this article helped answer any questions about finding the perfect set of high-quality wood lathe tools so get started today!