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I was gifted some wood chisels, just average Craftsman and Stanley chisels. I was thinking of shaping them and using as turning tools. Has Anyone tried this and could this be dangerous? The widths are all 1/2" or less, thanks, Norm.

Not safe as the metal may be too brittle and the tang are not shaped to manage the torque turning generates. You might be ok but not worth the risk. Use them as they were designed.

Thanks Oakbear, that is what I was thinking but thought I would find out for sure, Norm.

So what kind of tools should one use to shape the top half on a lathe?

Top half?

If you are using a woodturning lathe the proper tools are woodturning tools. Which tool specifically depends on the job and your preference for technique.
There are a few other things you can get away with, but you need to know what you are doing.

Oakbear wrote:Top half?

If you are using a woodturning lathe the proper tools are woodturning tools. Which tool specifically depends on the job and your preference for technique.
There are a few other things you can get away with, but you need to know what you are doing.

Oakbear, thank you.

By "Top Half", I meant the upper part of the stummel.

I have a metal mini lathe. And I'm really not sure what I'm doing; so I didn't try to turn wood on it yet, I'm still getting acquainted.

The chisels are a Footprint Wood Chisel Set like this one:

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/footpri ... pcs/809938

Sea Jay wrote:The chisels are a Footprint Wood Chisel Set like this one:

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/footpri ... pcs/809938

Yeah, don't use those. You'll impale yourself.

wdteipen wrote:

Sea Jay wrote:

Oakbear wrote:The chisels are a Footprint Wood Chisel Set like this one:

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/footpri ... pcs/809938

Yeah, don't use those. You'll impale yourself.

LOL

What would you recommend I use then, Wayne, to avoid croaking prematurely?

Turning tools is not carving tools.

Different shape, metal, hardness, thickness.....

There's not really a "cheap" entry into turning in general. It's one of those "you get what you pay for" deals. Here's my recommendation for the first tool to purchase that will do 90% of the turning work you'll do for making pipes:

http://woodworker.com/full-size-easy-ro ... archmode=2

You want the rougher first with the Ci square cutters. You can buy replacement cutters much cheaper on Ebay. You can get by with the mini but the Mid size is much better and worth the extra. It's easier to manage/control if the tool grabs. With these tools you don't have to worry about purchasing sharpening supplies what can be very expensive and you don't have to learn how to keep them razor sharp. When they dull you turn the carbide cutter to a fresh edge. Once you've dulled all four edges you replace the cutter. They last a good long while too. The only other tool you really have to have is a parting tool. If you were going to fudge on a turning tool, the parting tool is the one. You can grind one yourself if you're industrious enough.

+1 on replaceable tip tools. There's different profiles available. I've got this one and I love it. I can turn most straight pipes using just this. I prefer a shorter handle so this is what I went with. The bigger one is probably better, but I'm a smaller dude, so I go with what works for me.
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/154714 ... -Tool.aspx

wdteipen wrote:

Sea Jay wrote:

Oakbear wrote:The chisels are a Footprint Wood Chisel Set like this one:

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/footpri ... pcs/809938

Yeah, don't use those. You'll impale yourself.

Hey Wayne i never recommended those! I've been misquoted!

Those carbide tip jobs would work, but i reckon they're cheating! Getting a set of woodturning tools and learning how to use them (and sharpen them) is pretty worthwhile to my mind. Gives you a skill set which can help with a variety of things.

Oakbear wrote:Hey Wayne i never recommended those! I've been misquoted!

Those carbide tip jobs would work, but i reckon they're cheating! Getting a set of woodturning tools and learning how to use them (and sharpen them) is pretty worthwhile to my mind. Gives you a skill set which can help with a variety of things.

The quote button apparently doesn't like you. I fixed it though.

Do you figure using a nailgun instead of a hammer to frame a house is cheating also?

Learning to sharpen turning tools (or any tools for that matter) is a good skill to have. I won't argue that. But, if there are tools that are easier for the beginning turner to learn on then I think that's a better route than them getting frustrated and giving up altogether. Acquiring the proper equipment to sharpen turning tools is very expensive also and the cost might be exclusive for some. I have traditional turning tools but I still use my carbide tipped tool most of the time because it's convenient and efficient. Time spent sharpening tools is time spent not making pipes and for some it's an economical decision.

Hey guys thanks so much for all your answers! I really appreciate!

You can get a Craftsman Utility sharpener at Sears for around $60, maybe even cheaper if you hit a sale. It takes about 1 minute to get a clean, straight sharp edge from a dull one. For honing the tools, the ez-lap diamond hones do the trick. You can do it all with the hones, but the utility sharpener really speeds it up.

mightysmurf8201 wrote:+1 on replaceable tip tools. There's different profiles available. I've got this one and I love it. I can turn most straight pipes using just this. I prefer a shorter handle so this is what I went with. The bigger one is probably better, but I'm a smaller dude, so I go with what works for me.
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/154714 ... -Tool.aspx

Hey Smurf the link is not working...

sandahlpipe wrote:You can get a Craftsman Utility sharpener at Sears for around $60, maybe even cheaper if you hit a sale. It takes about 1 minute to get a clean, straight sharp edge from a dull one. For honing the tools, the ez-lap diamond hones do the trick. You can do it all with the hones, but the utility sharpener really speeds it up.

Thanks bud, appreciated!

Interesting, Wayne! I must say that I have never even considered turning chisels with replacement cutters. Didn't know that they exist, actually.
I learned with normal chisels in school and that's what I've got as well, but when given the chance to try the other, I'll definitely see what it's about.

Penn state industries has good prices and mini, micro and specific sets of tools. Scottie , if I remember right, introduced the Easy Wood Tools. I have been using standard tools for a long time , but when I got an E.W.T It was better than I could believe.When they get dull, loosen, turn to next cutting edge, tighten and go! they come in different lengths also. At xmas someone gave me Sorby's equivalent. Imho not as good since the arm is round and you can't get in as close.You should learn to sharpen tools, but later why waste time when you could be playing? You can learn to make a lot of tools you need. Woodcraft has a lot of supplies also as Wayne noted, they are expensive, wait for sales. For your small lathe they make a small tool rest for it.I use mine for stems occasionally and use the post with a plain bar as a rest.Chances are you will end up with most of everything everyone has suggested. LOL!!!!! Good luck!!

Woodturning has as steep a curve as pipe carving. Well, maybe, almost. The easy rougher tools will get you started, but they have a way of deadening the learning curve. I think the best tool for shaping a stummel on a wood lathe is a 3/8" bowl gouge. But, there is a lot of learnin' that has to take place to make that a true statement. There are a number of pipe makers who make incredible pipes who scrape their way through the stummel with the easy tools or a plain ole scraper.

On a side note, once you know what you are doing, you can safely engage the wood with a bench chisel. Starting out that way though, falls into the realm of Bad Idea.