Replacement handles for turning chisels!

So I bought a mini-lathe (mastercraft one, from Canadian Tire, for 100$). It’s been great so far to learn about turning. One thing that has bugged me a LOT is the dinky handles that the turning chisels had (the lathe came with a parting tool, skew and gouge). They were only 3 1/2” long!

So I made my own! New handles are 10-11” long maple, unfinished (for now) with copper 3/4 ferrules (0.23$ each at home hardware store).

First pic: The three musketeers!
2nd pic: Bottom handle is my first creation of the batch (after the failed attempt, last pic). Middle handle is my attempt at copying the first handle (failed miserably, removed way too much wood and forgot to make a tenon). Top handle is my last and best (in my opinion) handle.
4th pic: Skew and parting tool vs original handle
Last pic: my initial version of the handle vs the original handle. I drilled the hole crooked (no chuck for the lathe, so it’s hand drilled) and a tad too small. When I inserted the metal part into the hole and the maple cracked. I destroyed the handled and remade it.

It’s a pleasure to turn with these new handles!

Fish

-- http://picasaweb.google.ca/dpoisson