Are Carbide Insert Tools Right for You?

Ernie Conover gives a detailed overview of carbide insert turning tools and how they compare to more traditional turning tools. Then, he pits the tools against each other to see how each performs in common woodturning tasks. How do they compare and which types of tools are right for you? Ernie explains in this video.
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[@keithnewton5508]

For teaching turning carbide tools are the best choice. It allows people to start turning without a lot of training. Teaching someone to ride the curve not to mention how to sharpen the tools is time consuming but with carbide they can start creating right away, giving them a sense of accomplishment. Sharpening is separate skill set that may people enjoy (me being one) but some people feel it interferes with what they are trying to do. Both have their place. Thanks

[@lenshandcraftedwoodsigns6033]

This was one of the better explanation of the advantages of carbide tools that I have seen.

[@steinbierz]

Enjoyed this video and appreciated his comparison between different types of tools.

[@seemorevid1]

This is one of the few rational discussions I have seen about the differences and uses for these. I'll share a story. Some years back, I was at an exhibition at Hartville Hardware of turning tool manufacturers, Carbides had just come out, and I had a couple. At the show was a rep from Sorby tools ( Sorby's were the first tools I had ever bought) . I asked him his opinion about carbides, and he became very incensed, Regular tools, learn to sharpen, etc, and SORBY WOULD NEVER GO THAT ROUTE! A few months later, Sorby brought out their line of carbide tools. Go where the money is!

[@conoverworkshops1486]

Dear Ron, When carbide was first introduced more than a decade ago they outsold conventional tools to an alarming amount in the eyes of traditional tool manufacturers (such as Sorby). They fit some needs but will never produce the results of properly sharpened and presented conventional tools; to quote Shakespeare, "therein lies the rub." It takes correct sharpening and a good amount of practice to learn the properly presenting skill, along with a fair investment in sharpening equipment. If it's Christmas eve and the finish has to be shellac because it dries in minutes, carbide may be the only rational option. For these reasons most of the major manufacturers have a carbide line these days.

[@vincentbriggs7089]

I am relatively new to turning, Ive been doing it for about four years now. When I started I asked around via the internet, of the best and different woods and chisels . The information about wood was very helpful, although it has to be hardwood. The response i got about HSS and Carbide chisels was quite amazing. Carbide was frowned upon so much that if you use carbide you were not a true turner. Well here is my conclusion. I find that Carbide chisels are like automatic gear boxes, if the automatic gear box had been invented first what need would we have for the manual box. Hardwood? why? I get a lot of enjoyment turning softwood and in particular Ply wood. I do use HSS chisels but I much prefer Carbide.

[@LewisKauffman]

This seems to me to be a less skewed overview than the last one Mr. Conover did on comparing carbide to traditional turning tools. I am glad to see he has adjusted his opinion slightly towards the carbide turning tools.

[@charlesmurschell3110]

Very informative, thank you

[@thesweetone]

I love my carbide tools. I use my traditional ones as they both has positives and negatives. Also if you want to get more life from carbide inserts get a diamond honing stone and 1min later you get more life out of it.

[@rsstnnr76]

9:29 I'm pretty new to woodturning. Every time I try to do what you're doing, with a carbide tool, it catches. I've had a million bowls fly off the chuck and had huge catch marks in the bowl. It doesn't matter what angle I hold the tool at. It always catches. Any thoughts on why that might be happening? It only happens when I'm hollowing out and shaping the interior.

[@TheDiversityman]

Basic question for you, are you using a round flat tip or a square or diamond shaped tip ? Square will guarantee a catch unless you really do have the knowledge and feel of where the tip is actually cutting. A diamond tip really has no place in being used to hollow out.

[@roteira]

You need to lower your tool rest. Esentially touching with the insert BELOW the imaginary center line. This video explains it pretty well: th-cam.com/video/ef26_zrwHfc/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=ThePapa1947

[@williamhoward8319]

dried sasafras root makes a fantastic tea dryed mine in the barn

[@farchanzulianto92]

Dear mister
Bolehkah saya bertanya?
Jenis carbide yang mana untuk membuat lubang gelas atau mangkuk?

[@jstevenanderson9227]

That bowl looks as rough as all he'll I don't see enyone buying carbide based on this demonstration it was truly awful

[@mikerafferty1437]

Couldn't DISagree more. Nice, patient explanation.