| Review by Chris Wright | posted 208 days ago | 1233 views | 0 times favorited | 6 comments |  |
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With our wood turning program growing here at the shop, we were able to get new equipment, and part of that were two sets of the 8 piece Benjamin’s Best HSS lathe chisels from PSI ($69.95). I had never heard of Benjamin’s Best before I started pen turning and looking through the PSI catalog. So when I saw a 8 piece set of HSS tools for $70 I was skeptical of the quality. When they arrived I inspected them and they all needed to be re-ground, not a big deal since we also got a new slow speed grinder and a Wolverine system. The one that needed the most work was the bowl Gouge. I took the factory grind off and put a rather steep grind going up the sides. All the others, I just reground the bevels and touched then up with a diamond hone.
For a $70 set, these tools perform very well. They have solid ash handles and are made of M2 HSS, and they stay sharp for quite a while. Compared to the Crown, Sorby and Pinnacle tools I worked with recently, I’d go so far as to say these perform at the same level.
Here’s the lineup of what you get in the box:
•3/16” Parting Tool
•5/8” Spear Scraper
•5/8” Round Nose Scraper
•5/8” Skew Chisel
•1” Skew Chisel
•1/2” Bowl Gouge
•3/4” Spindle Gouge
•7/8” Roughing Gouge
If you’re on a budget and are trying to justify buying a $60, $70 or $80 Sorby gouge, I recommend getting a set of these. Like I said in the title, good chisels, great price.
-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken
6 comments so far
BillyUP
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16 posts in 695 days
posted 208 days ago
I have a couple “Benjamins Best” Gouges, and have used them extensivly. They perform evey bit as well as my “Big Name” tools, and would not hesitate to order again. This is a great deal that is only missing a small Bowl Guage, or two. That can be added to make a complete set for most. Later you will accumulate others, as you will not be able to resist. I have about 50 tools, but usually only use 6.
-- Imagination is more important than Knowledge
Chris
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300 posts in 252 days
posted 208 days ago
Thanks for the tip, I’ve been on the fence for a set of these.
-- Chris
MauBow
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47 posts in 341 days
posted 207 days ago
I also have a couple of the BB gouges…cheap but great performers!
-- If it wasn't for misplacing things, my shop would never get cleaned up.
johnpoolesc
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246 posts in 255 days
posted 207 days ago
i think they changed the steel they use.. 10 years ago they were average or below.. now they can compare to any brand i’ve used.. your right, that is a deal
-- It's not a sickness, i can stop buying tools anytime.
USCJeff
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899 posts in 963 days
posted 193 days ago
Kicking myself, just bought on Wednesday three of the eight a la carte. They ranged $15-$20 each. I’ll let you all do the math. Now where’s that receipt? hmmm
The local wood store owners suggested the lower end BB as I also picked up a WorkSharp 3000. They dull faster, but the WorkSharp takes only a minute to resharpen a non-damaged tool. Will have to post back after some real trials. Just an initial impression so far. I will say, they were the first turning tools I’ve ever bought. Now need to learn how to turn.
-- Jeff, South Carolina
WeeWilly
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20 posts in 962 days
posted 70 days ago
I have used the Benjamin Best wood chisels for the past four years. I now use them exclusively in my turning projects. They are of good quality, hold their sharpness well and the prices from Penn State Industries are just very low priced, as you can buy them in sets or individual lathe tools.
-- WeeWilly