Simple Woodturning Tools Carbide Wood Lathe Tools Hollower, Rougher, Detailer and Comfortable Foam Grip Handle, 26" Overall Length, USA Made, Stainless Steel

I'm new to turning, and this was partly a gift for my dad (though I've used it more than he).The tips cut nicely, and it looks like replacements are reasonable prices. The length was probably overkill for my use, but I've gotten used to it. Would buy again.Happy turning.

I normally don't write reviews but after only an hour using these I felt compelled! First - after opening the box I was stunned by the surgical appearance. These aren't crappy harbor freight tools, these look like they belong in the operating room. They are also well built and have a nice heft to them. At first I was thinking the changing of bits would be a pain, but it's fairly painless, and after using the tools, I can see using one tool to complete something, the progressing to the next for the next stage of the turn.My test piece was a quarter sawn piece of Padauk sandwiched between two 4/4 pieces of hard maple. I figured I would turn a 6" w by about 5" h candy dish to try it out. The Padauk and Maple were the hardest thing I had and were already laminated.I started with the roughing gouge and did it just like I saw on Simple's video. Straight plunge on the right till it got smooth and moved left. WOW! This thing cut like butter. I did manage to bog down the lathe by seeing how far I could push it, but again, WOW! After all of 15 seconds I had a nice smooth piece. Then I again did like the video and took about an 1/8th inch plunge on the face and rode it right to the middle. Again, cut like butter. No catches, no strange positions on the tool, just keep it on the rest flat (which is easy with the square shafts). Then I threw on the Simple Turner and Hollower. Again, flat on the rest and again, cut like butter. Made nice round edges and a nice design on the piece just by varying pressure. Did I mention this wood is hard as a rock? Then to cut a reverse tenon on the bottom I threw on the 55 degree attachment. Again, cut like butter. This one would take a bit more practice since I wasn't that great with it. Since it also rests flat on the rest, you do have to turn it a bit when you are getting inside the tenon for it to cut nice, but about 3 minutes practice and I was doing a good job with it. I also separately purchased the Sheer Cutting Tool. This was is the only with the round shaft, and is a good 2.5 feet long with an actual golf club handle on it. This one takes a bit of practice, but similar to a bowl gouge you can vary the aggressiveness with rotation.To hollow, I started with the sheer, and it was chewing away like mad. It's very hard to get a catch with these tools, but I did manage to get one by pushing the limits and knocked my piece off the tenon. I then switched back to the rougher to hollow the bowl. Bet you never thought you would hear someone say roughing gouge and hollow out the inside at the same time. Yup, that is how they showed it on the video, and I have to admit, it is a dream with this thing. You can plunge directly into the piece and move back and forth. Also ride right along the inside edge to the bottom and not catch. Amazing!Overall, best money I spent. The only other tool I used of my own was a scraper to smooth it out before sanding. Probably won't need that with another day or two of practice.

Title says all. I turned an additional 2 handles, a must.

These are excellent quality tools. I bought this set at the end of last year. I added the simple turner and hollower and the short square turner for pen turning. There's nothing wrong with the handle which is very nice, but I don't use it. It's too long for my work area and I don't turn large projects. Also, I don't want to have to remove and change the turners every time. I made my own handles for all five turners. I don't have the swan neck hollower yet but may buy it later. I also have some Easy Wood carbide tools but no larger size ones except for their parting tool. Easy Wood also makes very good quality tools and they use aluminum shanks. I like the Harrison HSS shanks better.There is definitely a learning curve to using carbide tools. Kerry does do an excellent Youtube demo showing the capabilities of these tools. The shear hollower is a little harder to learn, but it can be learned with some practice. I agree that these tools are easy to learn. What I like is that I have good control with them. Another reviewer complained about not being able to remove a nub with them. I just did that using a smaller EWT diamond detailer. I did discover that I had to use a very light touch. The light touch is what gave me the control I want and I think that's the secret of not getting a catch. Also, you have to pay close attention to what you're doing. Helloooo, you can't and shouldn't be day dreaming when using these tools. Make sure you have good lighting and watch very carefully. The shavings may build up on top of the cutter. I use an old paint brush, attached to the lathe with magnets, to wipe off the cutters. You can buy replacement cutters, but you can also save some $ by doing some sharpening with a flat diamond stone (cost < $25). Just rub the cutter top about 6 times or so on the stone. Even though I already had some tools, I was still inexperienced. These tools helped me make some nice projects and now I'm more confident and proficient with my "traditional" turning tools also. I like using the carbide tools and traditional tools and I use both on just about every project that I do. These carbide tools have really helped me in situations where I really needed to be very precise. They are a great addition to the turning world, IMO.Notice that I gave 5 stars even though I'm not using the interchangeable handle. That's because the handle is very good quality even though I've chosen not to use it.

These are great to use. Was hesitant at first because they seemed long but they have great weight and balance well made tool. I have always used the traditional HSS tools, I wanted to try the carbide to see what they would do, these things cut great. I don't have to stop every 2 hours to resharpen my tool. I will still use the traditional for some things that can't be done with these. It is a little different using them as far as angles you use on the HSS tools. But doesn't take long to pick it up. So glad to see tools still made in the USA. I will probably get some additional handles for the other 2.

I am new to woodturning and bought this set of tools on the advice of an experienced turner. I wanted tools made in the USA, not China. This set of tools is high quality. Solid, well crafted, and a great value. When I opened the box, it was immediately evident that I had made a good purchase. We live in a mobile home park which boasts a fabulous wood shop with many highly skilled woodworkers in its membership. Several members stopped by to watch me turning a bowl with the new tools, and all of them were impressed with the tools. A couple of them said they were going to order some for themselves. Clearly, I am now a fan of Simple Woodturning Tools! I plan to buy more as my skills improve and my turning projects become more advanced.