Replies

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 18, 2008 07:31pm | #1

   How do I know what to buy and what do I really need?

   Wait, you've got it bassackwards.  You buy the most expensive tools you want and then figure out what you need it for! :-)

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

2. 
   Woodmaster1776 | Jan 18, 2008 09:24pm | #2

   I bought the same lathe new last spring during a Woodcraft sale. At the same time I purchased a basic set of Pinnacle turning tools. As a beginning turner I, too, was unsure what I needed. After using the Pinnacle tools for a few days I returned them to Woodcraft (let's hear it for the Woodcraft 90 day return policy) and purchased a few Robert Sorby tools. What a difference! Good tools made me feel almost skillful. I consulted FWW articles by Richard Raffan and Ernie Conover to determine which tools I most needed. Still bought a couple that don't get used much. A friend who is a professional turner says he does most of his work with just 4 or 5 tools, even though he has racks full of high end tools to choose from.

   Woodcraft has Sorby tools on sale occasionally and some even better prices are available from online suppliers such as http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/turning_tools.htm
   or http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Turning_Tools___Bowl_and_Spindle_Tools___Robert_Sorby?Args=&page_number=1

   Someone told me that the investment in turning tools and lathe accessories might equal the investment in all the rest of my woodworking shop. I hope that's not true, but it does seem to be heading that way.

   On the other hand, turning is proving to be way more fun (and versatile) than I anticipated when purchasing the lathe originally.

   Good luck with your turning.

   Bob