looking for a set of turning tools

[tomsteve]

my nephew has the woodworking bug and picked up a lathe recently. nothing fancy- an older craftsman that seems to be decent for beginning (and im kinda getting the turning bug kickin. been many years since ive done it but having flashbacks to liking it.)
buuuuut, the tools that came with it dont seem to be very good quality. they have "powerkraft" stamped on the handles. i did a little surfing and did some work sharpening but these tools dont seem to hold an edge for long.

 my niece and i are looking to get us.....errrrr....HIM...a set of better quality turning tools. we have about $150 to spend. im thinking we....errr...HE...could use just the basics but not sure what to look at or where to look. i dont think right now its necessary to go full bore and spend top dollar as we dont know if we're.....errr...HE.... is going to get into this more.

so lookin for some suggestions on where to...ummm...turn...here.

[Wildwood]

Sage advice, only buy turning tools as you need them!

Either one of these spindle tool set bought at local Harbor Freight should get you started spindle turning.

https://www.harborfreight.com/profession...61794.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/profession...69723.html

If just want to buy individual full size tools not sure about shipping cost.

https://www.pennstateind.com/store/woodt...tools.html

[crokett™]

if you have a woodcraft, their Woodriver line is decent. You can make your own carbide tipped tools with some basic machining skills.

[Arlin Eastman]

Justin in the basement sells high quality carbide tools for a great price.

One more option that goes with the HF ones is PSI ones which are just as good and what I used for a few years.

Here is a link to what I would suggest.

1.  Parting tool  https://www.pennstateind.com/store/LX420.html
2.  3/8" Spindle Gouge   https://www.pennstateind.com/store/LX320.html
3.  Roughing Gouge   https://www.pennstateind.com/store/LX340.html

The next ones are not absolutely needed but nice to have.

4.  Skew   https://www.pennstateind.com/store/LX020.html
5.  Scrapper   https://www.pennstateind.com/store/LX140.html

There you go and at great prices.

[SteveS]

Avoid buying tools that support China. Lee Valley has P&N tools made in Australia that are economical and high quality. I have two of their bowl gouges are they are now my preferred tools for bowls. I use the bowl gouge for spindle work as well even though I have a number of dedicated spindle gouges.

As most have commented buying individual tools over sets may be a better way to go. I'd put off buying a skew for a bit since they require more skill than some other tools. A parting tool, spindle or spindle roughing gouge, bowl gouge and scraper would provide a wide range of turning needs.

[tomsteve]

thanks,all!! now i have options and know what to look for and where to look.

[Gary G™]

Glenn Lucas sells a nice bowl gouge.

[DFJarvie]

Check out Hurricane tools. They make some nice cryo tools based on Crown PM.

[Wildwood]

SteveS, “News Flash,” P & N tools just like other tools made with Chinese steel including other major brand names. Sheffield England has gone green long time ago and only few mills still in production.

Tool vendors can & do specify quality of steel composition! Several years ago found out there were 22 compositions that qualify as of M2 HSS!

[tomsteve]

   

Tool vendors can & do specify quality of steel composition!  Several years ago found out there were 22 compositions that qualify as of M2 HSS!

that was something i was thinking about last night. i did about 10 years in a machine shop out of H.S. and remembered there were a few different grades of HSS and carbide,too.