Richard Raffan makes a tool handle

In this video you see how to make a tool handle for a ½-in spindle gouge.
For in-depth explanations of the tools and techniques you need to refer to Richard Raffan’s woodturning books and videos. www.richardraffan.com.au/book...

[@tricolorturners]

These videos do a lot to corroborate the common trials at the lathe professional or novice. Thanks for that!

[@abitibiwood]

I’m back on the lathe, it’s a pleasure to see that Richard is still doing his fast and fine job ! Hi from Québec, Canada

[@alanhenry7835]

NOTHING SHORT !!! OF THE ABSOLUTE BEST !!!!

[@tallerpinocho]

Great video. Always learn something. First I dint understand why reverse the handle to make the final shape. Explanation "because I like get the handle with the right hand to check"

[@edwardchapman1914]

It is a pleasure watching these, thank you.. also I find it reassuring that someone else reaches for a skew as their security blanket or go to tool.

[@thefish5861]

I've decided my skew is a paint can opener.

[@JWWoodturning]

Hi Richard, Welcome to youTube. Great Videos which I have promoted on a couple of woodturning facebook groups. Good to have you here and more power to your elbow.

[@johnhoogenhout7796]

I always learn something from watching your demos Richard. Thank you.

[@glencrandall7051]

Nicely done Richard. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@DavidBrodhagen]

Thank you!

[@arthilliker3721]

Thank You Richard !! I recently acquired some OLD wood chisels that have missing or very abused handles and was going to take a crack at making new one !! Low and behold....HERE WE ARE !! I love finding these types of old tools because it seems that the steel is much better .... or maybe it's just me ? BUT I love saving old things and making them new again !! Thanks for making it look so easy ...once again !!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

For turning modern High Speed Steel (HSS) is generally reckoned better than the old carbon steels and certainly more forgiving, especialy if you sharpen on a CBN wheel. Brands to look for are Henry Taylor, Sorby, and Hamlet made in Sheffield and Thompson and D-way in the USA.

[@boooshes]

Nice work

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Beautiful Vicmarc lathe.

[@brettbkeogh]

Hi Richard, We crossed paths in the early 1980’s when you were doing a demo at Stuart workshops. I was lucky enough to have you sign a copy of your book at the time. Recently I began rediscovering by love of wood turning after retiring fro teaching. In the video I noticed a few interesting ideas in the background within your downsized workshop eg. Your lathe tool storage bucket and also noticed your tool rest seems to have a piece of round stock welded across the top edge. I am sure there are other interesting ideas within your workshop which would be very interesting to lots of wood turners working out of their small workshops or converted garages. Would it be possible to give a guided tour and maybe concentrate on some of the more interesting unique ideas you have developed. Over your career. Many many thanks for you videos.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

That might have been my first demo in Australia... I'm rearranging my workshop (yet again) and will make a video of the new layout once it's done.

[@brettbkeogh]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning thanks Richard really appreciate you reply I think it would be VERY interesting to a lot of people to see how someone with SO many years of experience set up their space. I find it is one of the hardest things to do/ start, so many decisions and never enough space. I pulled out the book, “ Turning Wood” and you dated it when signing the cover 20/08/1985. I was a trained Industrial Arts teacher at Sydney teacher college and had a day trip to Stuart workshops. It was that demo you did that really got me interested in turning, unfortunately the many aspects of teaching made it necessary to become good at many disciplines but a master of non. Now retired I am loving my wood turning again.

[@brettbkeogh]

Ps I also noticed on the skew chisel you used the edge is only rounded off on the “short point” edge if that makes sense not both top and bottom edges. Why is that ?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@brettbkeogh The edges are rounded so the tool slides easily along the tool rest. Some skews are manufactured with rounded sides, but all you need is to soften the corners - easily done on a disk sander.

[@michaellionart4841]

WOW. I take it you’ve done that before 🤩

[@prsearls]

This is timely as I am turning two cherry handles right now. You are much faster than me. I enjoy using the skew for most of this work. I use Oneway Thread-Lok ferrules since I remove my tools for sharpening. Getting the taper just right is a bit finicky but mine have been very solid in use and they look nice too.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I'm wondering why anyone would want to remove a tool from it's handle for sharpening which should be a 10 second operation, half of which is the grinder coming up to speed. It's 22 seconds on a Tormek using a jig, but as professional turner I never had time for that. Too slow.

[@prsearls]

It’s a personal preference. My handles are about 17 inches long and interfere when I use my sharpening jig. It takes only 5 seconds to loosen two grub screws to remove the steel. I’m a hobbyist turner so speed is not so important to me. I appreciate your skill and knowledge; I’ve learned some important tips and techniques from your videos. Thanks.

[@brianhawes3115]

I made a tool handle based on one of your earlier videos or dvd and didn’t drill the hole first and the drill bit didn’t go in exactly straight, but it’s not bad only noticed when holding it up for examination not when it’s in use, but it is nice to hold a handle that you’ve made over a store bought, just following along with your theme of not purchasing my way out of everything, thanks

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

A big advantage of a tool not being straight in the handle is that it won't roll far, and is often more comfortable to use.

[@alastaircampbell4663]

Hi Richard, I loved this video and all the others that you post. Can I please ask if you can let me know the process you use for tools that have a square (it is really a trapezoidal profile) for the fitting into the handle. I recently bought a Hamlet 3/8” Bedan tool and have made a handle for it but haven’t yet drilled the hole.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

This video shows a handle for a taped tang. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6eUh397qMZpbs0

[@steveblight2120]

Hi Richard -- great to see all your new videos! Yo may have mentioned it and I missed it, but if you have a 1/2 inch gouge (diameter of bar stock is 1/2"), what size hole do you drill?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

The drill was the same as the bar stock. It might pay to drill a test hole in a some scrap wood first.

[@skipproctor8979]

Richard, one of the things I've seen on all your videos is the "neat" wood handled chuck wrench you use. I have a VL300 and one of my chuck wrenches had the blue plastic handle break off. Would you be able to do a video on how you made this handle and how you attached it to the chuck wrench? Many Thanks! Skip Proctor

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

The handle is made exactly the same way as in this video. Many years ago I too had a blue handle break and that's when I replaced the tee with the L - with the ones I use now. They make for rapid opening and closing of the jaws, but Vicmarc warned me that withe extra leverage available, it's easy to apply enough pressure to damage the scroll.

[@skipproctor8979]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Thanks for quick response Richard. I plan to make one. Not worried about the scroll. Vicmarc chucks are very durable. Love the videos! Keep them coming.

[@sethwarner2540]

Sir, Ive seen many other turners, and I thought they were "sumpin" , but I gotta say, you just decide what yer gonna do, and do it; the wood just says" yessir, howyou want it? Blue, green, or maple syrup on it?"

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Well, Seth, that comes from being a production turner for 50 years, when time is money and efficiency makes for a more comfortable life.

[@Affy420]

Great demo. How did you avoid marring the brass ferrule when you had it in the jaws?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

There are four pairs of tiny marks, but they look decorative. There are a few scratches from the abrasive too, but they'll soon be lost as the ferrule gets knocked when the tool is amongst other tools on the bench.

[@johnmitchell1614]

If that bothers you, wrap the ferrule in tape and paper. Best regards.

[@mikeygee2465]

Really enjoyed watching this. Could you explain the process of inserting the gouge into the handle, or point me to a video. Looks like you just grip the handle and then hit it with a mallet? Does that actually work? Amazing.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

That's what you do: jam the tool in the hole, grip the handle and hit the other end. You see it again in kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2S2YpmpYp6GbpI.

[@mikeygee2465]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning That’s amazing! Thanks for the quick reply.

[@mikeygee2465]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning I just tried this today! Coolest thing ever. I don’t understand the physics, but it is amazing how it works!

[@LizzardFish1]

On Your Facebook page you said your turning days were over because of a bad shoulder. Are you better now or are these old videos? Either way it’s good to see you back.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

All new videos but my travelling-for- workshop days are over mostly because I'm nearly 79.

[@boooshes]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning glad you are sharing your expertise.

[@hotrodhog2170]

Can you tell us about the 5 gallon bucket for the gouges in the background? I'm just starting out and looking for storage ideas!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

This is a bucket on a turntable. I made a grid about 50mm deep that fits into the top. The grid keeps the tools upright. Half the bucket is under the shelf, so the taller tools are on one side so they store under the shelf that protects me when I reach for something over the tools.

[@milasiroky3301]

Hi Richard, I don't speak English well, sorry. What are you painting it with? Is that beeswax?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

It is beeswax. I finish almost everything by first applying boiled linseed oil to the wood, then natural beeswax (beeswax is the lump of wax).

[@grumpywiseguy5992]

Richard, Why beeswax alone and not your standard Boiled Linseed Oil and then Beeswax? Finishing to me is the most mysterious part of turning. Does one of your books talk more about finishing? I would be glad to obtain one. Thanks

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Each book has a section on finishing with a few thoughts about finishing and explaining how I finish different pieces and why. Almost everything I turn is utilitarian and I take the long view of how it will develop a patina with use or regular polishing. Open-grain timbers generally get oil, then wax. Dense woods need only wax. I"m not interested in sealing the wood completely because eventually the surface breaks down, looks appalling, and it often difficult to refurbish.

[@grumpywiseguy5992]

Thanks so very much. At 72 years old, I am new to woodturning. I have tried probably 20 different finishes with none of them really working all that well. What I will never have at this late stage in my life is your experience base with wood and the effects of finish upon it. That is why I am so intensely interested in what you do and most importantly why. So I would ask, very gently, to include not only what you do but the why’s as a well, especially about finishing. Thanks again.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@grumpywiseguy5992 I have a finishing video on my list.

[@davidanderson5767]

Not so sure about his drilling technique.....poor mallet....want to go make handles

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

So what's your problem? This is one way of drilling. Another is to have the drill in a chuck in tailstock which presents much the same problems.

[@headhunter5672]

I find your method more than adequate, Mr raffan. Excellent video as always 👍