The Robert Sorby Spindlemaster - An easy to use alternative for the regular skew chisel

Discover the Robert Sorby Spindlemaster, a revolutionary addition to your turning toolkit! In our latest video, we introduce this versatile tool, merging the functions of a chisel and a spindle gouge.
Get the 19 mm Spindlemaster here: www.drechselbedarf-schulte.de...
13 mm Sorby Spindlemaster here: www.drechselbedarf-schulte.de...
And the Micro Version of the Spindlemaster here: www.drechselbedarf-schulte.de...
Ideal for shaping curves, recesses, and beads, the Spindlemaster simplifies turning projects such as pens, candlesticks, bedposts, and stair spindles. Its performance on softwoods like pine is particularly impressive, achieving a finish finer than 400-grit sandpaper!
We'll show you how easy it is to handle the Spindlemaster, even for beginners, thanks to its flat surface and oval shape minimizing the risk of catches. You'll also learn about its straightforward sharpening process using a flat file and how its self-polishing bevel simplifies maintenance.
Available in two sizes and a micro version for smaller projects, the Spindlemaster is made from high-quality HSS steel and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Don't miss our tips on optimal blade care to keep them in perfect condition for years to come.
Watch our video now and find out why the Robert Sorby Spindlemaster is an indispensable tool for every longwood turner!

[@rogerhodges7656]

This is a good demonstration of a round nosed skew. I have been using a Jerry Glasser round nosed skew for over thirty years.

[@clarencegreen3071]

After buying one and finding it didn't offer me anything that I couldn't do with other tools, I bit the bullet and ground the shiny bevel down until the included angle was about 35 degrees all the way around. Then I sharpened it the way you sharpen a knife. Honed the bevel and the top surface, alternately, until I obtained a very keen edge with no burr. It became what I call a knife edge scraper. I present the tool to the wood with it flat on the rest and aimed at center line. Instead of scraping, it cuts and makes tiny shavings. It is excellent for fine finishing cuts or making small adjustments to the profile of a bowl or other vessel, inside or outside. The depth of cut is determined by how hard I press it against the wood so I can be very precise when adjusting a curve, for example. And it leaves a fine surface even when dealing with very gnarly wood.

[@timofeyzhukov-khovanskiy9173]

I've been using a similar tool ground from a round bar stock as a bottom feeder scraper/fluteless gouge

[@MASI_forging]

Nice piece of work 😍😍

[@coolcat9327]

I have a couple of them, they are nice on soft woods like pine and cedar. I struggle to keep bevel contact on harder woods so I just don’t use then on hard woods..they make nice Christmas trees and snowmen.

[@bobh5616]

Thanks - I bought some of these years ago I haven’t know what to use them for!

[@davidshaper5146]

How long have these been made? I bought something that looks like this used and thought it was a round-nosed scraper and put a negative rake on it. May have to re-grind.

[@ks-allyouneedforwoodturning]

Sorry i dont know, but i think we sell the spindlemaster for at least 10 yeats

[@kenvasko2285]

I purchased a 1/2" and a 1" Spindlemaster at an online auction. The bevel was butchered by the previous owner. What is the best way to refurbish the edge?

[@ks-allyouneedforwoodturning]

Sorry to hear that, please ask directly Robert Sorby, they know best.

[@kenvasko2285]

@@ks-allyouneedforwoodturning Can you tell me the angle they should be?

[@hawkinsp123]

I damaged the bevel on mine. How do you reshape and polish the bevel?

[@rodgerfoden3195]

This is not a magic tool I’ve had one for years and only if your very good with a scew will you be able to use it

[@robohippy]

The spindle master was an attempt by Sorby tools to reproduce an Allen Batty tool. I had a workshop with both Allen and Stuart. Allen commented about it, "they got it all wrong." His tool was made from half round bar stock, not a thin slice. Closest tool out there like that is Stuart and Cindy Drozda's Vortex tool, or the Thompson fluteless gouges can be ground to that profile. Also, the starting cut you did with the SRG, I could do it and leave a glass smooth surface, and I am a bowl turner.

[@jonr6540]

Kind of weird to tell them what they are attempting to do and then tell them they got it all wrong. According to your description this is so different that they even start with different raw stock material. Apparently they are satisfied enough with what they were attempting to make to produce it at scale and promote it. If you want a different tool, but a different tool, if you want this one buy this one.

[@robohippy]

I have a set of them and don't care for them, just too thin and flimsy. Allen Batty, father to Stuart, was the one who said they got it all wrong. While they may work okay, they do not excel the way half round bar stock will.

[@equinoxproject2284]

That was my first thought, why is the underside flat.

[@lenshandcraftedwoodsigns6033]

What did you sharpen it with? I am in USA, is it available on Amazon?

[@ks-allyouneedforwoodturning]

Its a simple diamond file, im sure you will find something like this in the states

[@danielpaquette1597]

@@ks-allyouneedforwoodturning I think he meant is the Spindlemaster available in the US, the links are to a german website.

[@ks-allyouneedforwoodturning]

​@@danielpaquette1597 Okay got it. Sorry these links are for our website, of course. I don't know any Robert Sorby Dealers in the US. Try to google it.

[@Brianb_ie]

This looks amazing. Would you recommend the 13mm for a new woodturner using a smaller lathe? Or could you maybe give the main usage difference between the 19mm and 13mm tools please?

[@mergrew0110]

I’ve owned one for over ten years, since they were introduced…..I think. It is are a useful tool, but not a replacement for either the spindle gouge or the skew. Both the spindle gouge and the skew have stood the test of time for a good reason, they perform to the highest standard. The modern trend of using fancy new tools, like carbide scrapers etc only substitute badly for poor craftsmanship. Just watch a production wood turner produce stair spindles using just a skew and spindle gouge…….and remember he’s on piece work.

[@AA-69]

This reminds me of that guy on telly selling a Chinese vegetable chopper !... He was brilliant, He could do things with a carrot that my wife could only dream of !. Which is why I NEVER ate her home made soup 🐟 😏

[@JohnWilliams-iw6oq]

So you shove a spindle gauge into the timber, we can see the mouthfuls that have been bitten out of the wood and you blame the gauge for the torn grain! It's bloody terrible to misrepresent a very useful tool in the manner you've done and especially as it's in order to flog a product. All you are doing is shear scraping with a round nosed scraper.