home made turning tools

This is a turning tool that I made especially for small hollow forms, bird houses and Christmas ornaments. I picked up the steel from Tractor Supply. It was roughed out on a metal cutting band saw and then shaped using rasps and files. The tip where the cutter sits was drilled at a 30 degree angle and then tapped to take the screw that holds the cutter on. From that point I polished the piece through several grits of sandpaper on a belt sander and used a small dremel tool to polish the curves up. The cutter that will be used is a #1 Hunter carbide cutter that does not need to be sharpened or lapped – when it gets dull you loosen the screw and rotate just a little and you have a fresh cutting surface. I will spray with a lacquer finish when completed. A fellow woodturner – John Lucas was the inspiration behind this.

I will turn a handle from a piece of hard maple and use a brass plumbing fitting for the ferrule. With this tool it will be possible to reach into small openings (3/8’ diameter) and hollow out the turned piece. I will post a photo of the handle.

-- Those that say it can't be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.