Woodturning is a popular hobby that has been around for centuries. It’s an art form that requires patience, skill, and dedication. There are many tools needed to complete the projects successfully, but it’s not always easy for beginners to know which tools they need in their toolbox!
In this post, we will discuss 9 of the best woodturning sets on the market today so you can get started with your new hobby!
You know the basic shapes of these items that we don’t make anymore – vases, bowls or platters – can be made with a potter’s wheel and the use of hand tools (scoops, knives or paddles).
Wouldn’t you like to know how they make these beautiful wooden structures?
To really take your woodturning to the next level, you need a set of professional wood lathe chisels.
- Robert Sorby 67HS
- Simple Woodturning Tools Full Size Set of 6
- Savannah – 7586 Carbide Turning Tool Large Size
- PSI Woodworking LCHSS8 Wood Lathe Chisel Set
- Crown 280
- Simple Woodturning Tools COMBO
- Imotechom 8-Piece
- YellowHammer 8-Piece
- Hurricane Woodturning 8-Piece
Robert Sorby 67HS
Although it might be tricky to find the exact tools you will need for your woodturning project, a turning toolset can spare you time and money.
The Robert Sorby 67HS is a six-piece set of woodturning tools that offer traditional European cutting edges and precise mechanics. It is because they were designed with care, among other reasons, then have risen to success as one of our top picks.
If you’re starting out, the lathe tools are easy to work with and have comfortable handles. So if this is your first time using woodturning tools on a lathe, you’ll have better control over what’s going on.
The included toolset has more than one gouge, with various lengths. The longest gouge is a 12 inches handle and the shortest tool is 10 inches long.
What we like;
- Steelheads.
- Wooden handles.
- Convenient set.
- Sharp and pointed
Simple Woodturning Tools Full Size Set of 6
The Simple Woodturning Tool Set is perfect because it provides a collection of 6 essential tools for woodworking.
Great for beginners, this tool kit comes with tools all ready to use right out of the box. Beginners and experienced woodworkers will find it easy enough to use.
Each tool is made of high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials that provide a reliable and sturdy option. Thanks to its soft grip, you will enjoy long-lasting comfort for hours. The Swan neck hollower’s design makes it easy to access hollow vessels.
Traditional straight shaft handles will not fit into these areas, making them difficult to reach.
The sleekly designed shear cutting finishing tool is an excellent option for you to have on hand when choosing the best finisher. Another benefit of this tool is that it also comes with a square shaft.
PROS
- Comes sharp out of the box
- Designed for the places that are difficult to reach.
- With its steel construction, the tools set is extra durable.
- “soft-grip” for comfort
Savannah – 7586 Carbide Turning Tool Large Size
This three-piece woodturning tool kit is ideal for novice and established artists alike. The set features a large handle with lots of control which makes it perfect for beginners and professionals. Its materials, sharpness, and durability are sure to blow you away!
Unlike other woodturning tools, the heads of these won’t need to be sharpened at all. Soft grip, high-quality balance and stability are some features of this model.
The handle of this unit is smooth and comfortable to hold for hours, giving you a better grip. It also ensures the best control with your hands so you can work longer without feeling hand fatigue.
This set includes a woodturning tool that is ideal for beginners and can offer many benefits like a carbide steelhead and flatback handle. The larger, more stable grip of the turnings makes them easy to use as well. There are not all too many cons here aside from their lack of all-round utility.
PSI Woodworking LCHSS8 Wood Lathe Chisel Set
This product is especially beneficial for beginners. Each piece in this chisel set has been made to help with specific tasks, so it may even be the only tool you need! The chisels boast Impossibly sharp blades and a wood-carving design that will make cutting any material an impossible task, these are the best tools for getting quality work done..Getting that flawless look takes a bit of skill, but these tools are so easy to use and it won’t take long for you to be creating masterpieces.
This set comes with a secure wooden box that holds everything and keeps it in one place. This woodturning tool is a great purchase. It’s easy to use, durable and efficient. You get all these factors for a low price point because of the simplicity this piece offers!
What we like,
A sharp set of carving tools make it easy to work with wood, and the pen shaped handles are great for preventing hand fatigue.
What we don’t
you may find it necessary to sharpen your tools a few times too often.
Crown 280
Crown’s 280 set comes with five pieces of tools that every beginner should use. It is similar to Crown 285, but the 280 model has expanded capabilities.The handle is made from beechwood for a better grip and the ferrule is brass to withstand heavy use.The M2 HSS or High-Speed Steel blades are six times sharper with proper angles.Many people have become fond of this set because the quality is so high, especially if you are just starting out.
There are a lot of advantages to get this set of woodturning tools. Some its features include ergonomic handles that allow for stable hold, HSS steel blades that last longer than most materials, brilliant performance, and an attractive display box.
Some of the tools inside this kit are good quality, some excellent. This is a value-added pack for woodturners that wants a simple starter’s guide.
Simple Woodturning Tools COMBO
This woodturning tools set is an ideal choice for those that value simplicity and wish to have the jobs done perfectly. It comes with amazing features making it a convenient product, even for beginners. This lathe toolset is for anyone who enjoys woodturning.
It features an interchangeable cutter that can be sharpened for the perfect amount of time and money. The red aluminum body is sturdy and stylish, which makes it comfortable to hold for hours at a time..
Being lightweight and balanced, you can use them without getting fatigued even after long hours of work. With the beautiful finish that lasts for years, these lathes will stay looking new thanks to their powder coating.
Imotechom 8-Piece
When you want to create beautiful pieces of art, you need the right tools. That is why this set from IMOTECHOM is so perfect for those who love woodturning! The 8-piece set from IMOTECHOM comes in a package and is segregated by color for added organization.
Its long 6.3-inch length makes it easy to use with one hand, making carving through large pieces of wood easier and smoother.
These tools look and feel regal, too; you get roughing gouges along with spindle chisel screws as well as other product types.
What we like
- Aesthetic appeal.
- Versatile set.
- Walnut wood handle.
- High-speed technical steel.
YellowHammer 8-Piece
The Yellowhammer Turning Tools Essentials set offers seven high-quality tools that are versatile, durable, and affordable. It is perfect for any woodworking task you may encounter while working on your next project or even at home.
This seamless design offers reliable performance, even when working with harder woods. With its high-speed steel construction, it can handle any project—light to rigorous.
This precision machining tool performs beautifully. Every aspect of the design is engineered to accommodate user comfort.
If you are new to turning wood, using these tools will allow you to hone your skills with ease and focus. They’re for use both by beginners and more experienced enthusiasts at the same time.
This isn’t its sharpest edge, but it is a guaranteed piece of equipment that you can rely on especially for hard-to-reach areas.
Features a comfortable handle for easy use and compact design, designed to be sleek while also affordable. Comes with 8 different tools that will enable you to work on many projects as needed. On the downside, it might not be suitable for pros.
Hurricane Woodturning 8-Piece
A difficult turning project can feel like a daunting task. Consider investing in a quality woodturning kit, like the Hurricane when you don’t want to do your homework before starting.
These Hurricane Wood Turning Lathe Chisels are better than carbon-based tools because they don’t break. They are also high speed steel which allows for precision with speed and a comfortable grip on each tool.
This toolset comes with the eight most common tools for woodturning. It includes everything you need to create detailed designs, including one diamond parting tool and several chisel skewers along with an assortment of gauges that are easy to balance.
In conclusion, This set is great for beginners and intermediate levels.
Eight-piece set with diverse sizes included. The Standard handle-to-steel ratio makes turning more comfortable and efficient. Smooth, soft grip for comfortable use no matter what size your hands are.”
Wood Lathe Chisels Buying Guide
Choosing your woodturning tools is a painstaking process. You must choose based on the project you are working on, but also taking into account how much experience you have and which tools will work best for that. The following section will give a more extensive list of what to look for in each individual tool.
Essential Woodturning Tools: Lathe Chisels
There are various woodturning tools that you will need if you want to complete your project efficiently. A few of the most essential ones include – roughing gouge, spindle gouge, parting tool, skew chisel and scraper.
You want to find a set with these tools so that you can get right to turning without having to wait for one. Remember, all woodturning toolsets don’t come with a bowl gouge.
Roughing Gouge
A roughing gouge is a tool that you should have on hand if you are looking for an efficient way to create deep, wide curves. It can also be used for cutting thin chips from the edge of your project with ease. It’s perfect when it comes to removing large amounts of material quickly and efficiently.
Spindle Gouge
A spindle gouge is one of the most essential tools for woodturners. It’s perfect for shaping and outlining bowls, spindles and handles but you can also use it as a parting tool or even for roughing out your projects from big blocks of timber.
Brace & Bits
A brace and bits are arguably one of the most essential tools for any woodturner. It’s perfect when it comes to making a clean hole in that big block of timber you’ve been working on all day long and without breaking your wrist from repeatedly striking the piece with a mallet (which also isn’t ideal).
The brace usually has two adjustable arms that can be set to fit your project and with a range of drill bits, you’ll have the perfect hole in no time.
Skew Chisel
A skew chisel is a tool that’s used to cut deep, curved surfaces in wood. It works by cutting the material at an angle across the grainline and this makes it perfect for rounding over tenon shoulders or slicing out shapes within your projects.
The beveled edge allows you to make smooth transitions along curves so it doesn’t take hours to do what could be done in minutes.
Parting Tool
The parting tool does exactly what it says on the tin. It is perfect for parting your wood down to size, both thick and thin. You can find various blades designed for different applications such as long or short workpiece lengths, thicknesses etc. which all have their own unique qualities that make them ideal for specific tasks.
Scraper
The scraper is the best tool for rounding over sharp corners and shaping edges in your wood. It features a blade that is often made from steel, which can be either tempered or un-tempered, depending on the user’s preference. The backside of the blade has an angled edge that allows you to scrape away unwanted material with ease.
Woodturning Tool Sets Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How do I know which Woodturning Tool Sets are right for me?
To find the best woodturning toolsets, it is essential to first figure out your needs and wants. Think about whether you want a kit that will be useful for both beginners and experts or if you just need some basics tools to get started on any projects at home.
The more time spent deciding how often you plan on using the set as well as where those uses might take place can help narrow down your options considerably. It is also worth considering how much money you would like to spend in relation with your budget, skill level, personal preference and frequency of use when making decisions about your potential purchase.
- How to sharpen woodturning tools?
The first thing to do before sharpening your turning tool is to decide what type of steel it has to know which method should be used. Ideally, the steel would be high speed steel (HSS) because they are typically harder than other types making them easier to sharpen with a grinder or belt sander.
The next step would be determining if the blade needed regular honing or if it was worn enough that it needs resharpening entirely. If there’s just an occasional nick on the edge, all you need is some light grinding using an abrasive stone such as silicon carbide.
- What Size Roughing Gouges to Use?
The size of roughing gouge you choose to use depends on the size of the workpiece. If you’re working with a small piece, then selecting a smaller tool will make it easier for detail and control when turning while if your working with bigger pieces, then going up in size would be better.
- What Size Spindle Gouge for Beginners?
Spindle gouges are sized by their width and come in both deep sweep (DS) and shallow sweep (SS). Generally speaking, people who start out use DS just because it’s more forgiving with regard to cutting angle but SS can be easier on your hands since you’re not bearing down so hard when trying to pull away from the centerline.
- What Size Bowl Gouge? “
Bowl gouges have various sizes that depend on what size bowl you want them to make, typically ranging from six inches up.
- What is A Woodturning Chuck?
A woodturning chuck has various functions depending on what kind of lathe you’re using it for. Still, they all have some general similarities: they hold onto whatever piece of scrap turned material that’s being used as a center point while also keeping any other tools necessary for turning (like bowls gouges). They usually can be tightened when needed.
Conclusion: Many tools can help you get the job done, but these nine have been tried and true by beginners and experienced woodworkers alike – they won’t let you down!
