WOODTURNING TOOLS: Traditional vs. Carbide?

In this video, I talk about the basic differences between using traditional gouges for woodturning tools and carbide cutting tools. What makes them different? How do they remove wood differently? Advantages and disadvantages of each. I hope y'all enjoy!
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[@Grunt49]

Had a Shopsmith.I set up the lathe and tools chattered.A friend laughed and sharpened the tools.Wow!!Night and day!Thank you,Ashley

[@lawrencehincker8652]

Ashley, your are not only an extraordinary turner but it appears that teaching comes naturally. This short video is useful, informative, and quite clear in its presentation. This made a lot of sense to this newby turner. Well done.

[@keithburch5506]

I've not turned wood on a lathe since my high school years. I graduated 1973. I do enjoy watching you Phil, Kim, and a few others. You are my fav because you are very knowledgeable....and pretty! Just a real joy to watch. That huge table was special, to say the least. What an honor that must have been for you. I'm Keith, in the foothills of NC, Hickory. 65, almost 66, retired. Do not do commercial crap TV. Have internet to TV, stereo thru TV also, Roku and DVD blue ray. KZbin in so many ways is better. There, you get real life, not 100% bs in between commercial crap! I like channels like yours, Woodmizer mills, off grid families and some news and military channels. Your work and your shop and shed are awesome. You're so young and pretty, I keep waiting to see boyfriend, husband, girlfriend...no ring! You must have turned a huge maple bat to keep them away! Well, I'm forever subscribed and anxiously waiting on your next post! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful self with all of us!❤

[@BradPow]

As a machinist who runs metal lathes with carbide and hss tooling, I've always wondered how that works with wood lathes. Great video!

[@robohippy]

Most people have no idea how efficient scrapers can be, especially for heavy duty roughing out of bowl blanks. Emphasis on roughing. The reason the carbide scrapers are so popular is that they are small scrapers and fairly simple to use. As you said, a scraping cut does not leave a clean surface on bowls, except for sweeping across the bottom of a bowl, but not up the side. I do prefer them for shear scraping as well. Biggest problem most have with using standard scrapers is that they think bigger is better. This is the primary cause of getting too much metal into the wood at one time, and causing huge catches.

[@RobertLBarnard]

You've put care into your presentation, combining slow-motion video with your voice over. Thank you for doing this! Those 2 or three seconds (showing the cutting edge effortlessly slicing strings of wood) turned the light in for me.

[@carolriley8472]

Great explanation about why I need to practice more with my bowl gouges.

[@damc3232]

The woodwhisper course is fantastic I learned a lot from Ashley.

[@mikel4510]

One of the best instructional videos on YT. Believe me, I've commented on a lot of 'em and watched (or tried to watch) LOTS of 'em. Informative, fewer ads than a cable tv show, and excellent production quality. 👍

[@benbirdsill4709]

Best explanation of bowl gouges I've seen. Any chance you could do the same treatment for spindle gouges and skews? and thank you for the continuosly good content.

[@johnwilliamson7081]

I know nothing about turning. I am a above avg. woodworker. I build structures, tables, just finishing a 4ft. humidor that is oak lined with Spanish cedar. I find a lot of inspiration to even attempt turning. Thanks for all the stuff you do. I consider you to be amongst my fave master craftsman out there.

[@richjones5432]

Best video I have ever seen on the subject. I use both the old time & current Carbides ...... there are differences but they are all there to help us out. Very well presented.

[@RayWhitbyCreations]

I love the carbide tipped tools, especially the round cutter for resin-wood pieces. Saves a lot of chips from occurring! Standard gouges always leaves chips no matter how sharp I get them. Great video!

[@douglasgault5458]

Back in the 70s when I was really into spinning wood, I forged all my turning tools with good carbide steel incorporated into the cutting ends. These baby's would go for the longest time without sharpening. Unfortunately, I lost all of these in a house fire. What was really nice is that I could custom make any specialty gouges needed.

[@crackerjack3359]

You don't have to throw away the carbide tips. Lay them upside down on a diamond stone and push the back and forth and in circles until you have brand new sharp edges. Use non ammonia glass cleaner which is much cheaper than the Trend fluid to lubricate the diamond stone.

[@matthewharvey8755]

That was going to be my next video haha. Thanks buddy

[@Chimpiin]

Great video - I'd already ordered some carbide tools to start learning with, but I'll now order a traditional gouge to experiment with when I've gotten the hang of things a bit. Thank you.

[@matkirchild6930]

Another great video!!! I have made a ton of sawdust with both traditional and carbide, and although I really like the idea of traditional tools, carbide was easier to learn to use. I really want to become proficient with the traditional tools for a number of reasons, specifically, well...tradition...so to speak. I have found that carbide has its place in my limited set up, and my even more limited experience level, mostly in hollowing as you pointed out here. Thank you for sharing your art and your knowledge. I follow a multitude of turners and woodworkers on KZbin, and woodworking has been a therapeutic, almost meditative stress reliever for me. Without getting too personal, I have a worked in a very high stress job going on 30 plus years. Learning from you, and the many other woodworking and wood turning artisans here on KZbin, then heading out to my little garage shop to apply what I learn is beneficial in ways that you and this community may or may not realize!!! Suffice it to say that I appreciate and value what you and all of the others in the wood working and wood turning community do... It is truly invaluable. I can't wait to see more!!! Thanks again, take care, and be safe.

[@tjkoker]

Outstanding educational tool for all us beginning wood turners. Thank you so much.

[@jordanlassaline5023]

This was a great explanation. Thank you! I just bought a Sorby TurnMaster set the day before this was uploaded and was wondering what I was doing wrong. Most videos make carbide tools sound amazing but this was right on point with my initial experience of them. Bought them to practice hollowing some small vases so, I'm sure I'll use them a bit. Great explanation of traditional bowl gouges too, very helpful.

[@ScenicCityWoodturning]

Great explanation! Carbide tools made me lazy, but I’m getting back to the traditional ones. They are more rewarding to get proficient with.

[@glencrandall7051]

Excellent presentation Ashley. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay healthy.

[@keithkimsten5111]

Thanks Ashley, very clear and concise explanations. That's always refreshing here on KZbin.

[@robertbell5609]

Very informative and professional video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@JoAkh]

Finally a good answer about this question. Well done for this presentation 👌

[@rg2152]

Finally a great explanation of the two different kinds of turning tools!

[@jamesstanlake4064]

I use both traditional as well as carbide tools and they both work very well. You can in fact sharpen carbide tools. To sharpen carbide tools simply remove the cutter and use a diamond grinding card and rub the top of the cutter on the diamond sharpening card.

[@mikeyakey8315]

Tomorrow's project!

[@matthewharvey8755]

I started out on a spring pole lathe with hand tool gouges lol.... I learned what I needed to and after 8 hours and a piece of hickory I had a bowl.... 2 weeks later I got my cheap HF Lathe and tools and learned about bowl gouges..... Fast forward 5 years and I have some sub par tools and only 1 round carbide cutter. Woodworking is in my genealogy and my blood.... Always wanting to learn more and you have helped progress my knowledge. Keep the good content coming 😁

[@blackdog850]

Thanks Ashley! I found this informative for someone that hasn't even really read up on turning...just watched in AWE and Fascination as you and others create such amazing pieces...like your AMAZING ORNAMENTS I SAW ON INSTAGRAM! Crazy Cool! Well done & thanks for sharing! :)

[@thenorwegiantraindriver4788]

Thx for this Ashley. You have the perfect name for a woodworker. I just ordered my first carbide tool 5 min ago based on your advice. Keep it up :D

[@carlspringle9342]

You answered a lot of my questions. Thank you so much.

[@PMichaels]

Wow! This was fascinating and very educational. Great video. Thank you! 👍🏼

[@blunderbuss9927]

Very nice explanation. I’ve been trying both lately, and I really do prefer the traditional styles. As you point out - wonderful marketing for carbide.

[@razibwoodturning6985]

Nice explanation. Yes, I used both of them. The sharpening method video would be good too. Cheers!

[@leeoneill1918]

Thanks Ashley, you're a great instructor

[@rogerl5102]

VERY well explained! Thank you for educating me.

[@AshleyHarwood]

Glad it was helpful!

[@1msfit]

Ashley, good description on the short comings of flat chip carbide tools. I’m a big fan of bowl gouges but also use Hunter Carbide Tools which use a cupped carbide cutter. These tool cut, not scrape, and bevel support is possible depending on the angle you approach the cut. These tools leave a cut that matches my bowl gouges in the correct application.

[@loucinci3922]

Very informative. Nice presentation.

[@603storm]

All excellent points. I use carbide because I started making pens on a midi lathe and although I learned to make bowls with gauges my shop is extremely small so using gauges means buying a grinder, jig, etc. no room. I make small projects so the carbide works for me for now. If I had more room I would do things differently. It boils down to do what works for you. Love your vids.

[@sandycaughlan1882]

I love the gouges I bought from you at Christmas. They are fantastic..

[@Kiltabago]

Ahhhh, this makes way more sense. Thank you for the explanation.

[@rachael11]

I just bought a lathe a couple days ago. Was really interested in the carbide tools because I had heard they were easier, and I don't know anything about sharpening. I'm glad I decided to get steel tools.

[@skitzxplods]

I've only ever used traditional gouges, carbide is $$$$ and after watching this I'll be sticking to traditional 😉 thank you for all of your content it is amazing to see the work you do but also informative like this video.😊

[@JamesCouch777]

Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge. I'm just a beginner and it was very appreciated 👍

[@Cnthib57]

Things I never knew, thank you. I used traditional tools in high school, (in the 80's). I started turning again a couple of years ago and went to carbide. One reason is cost of the tools, grinder for sharpening, and all the other stuff needed. I do sharpen my own carbide tips and get a long life out of them. Maybe one day I will save up and add traditional tools to my arsenal. Love your videos and I always learn something new.

[@danielmetzler307]

You will do a lot less work with more control as well as get a stunningly better finish off the tool with a bowl gouge 40/40

[@audreydodgen8699]

Super timely video. Thank you for the overview!

[@AshleyHarwood]

Thanks for watching! I thought it might be helpful with Christmas coming up soon...

[@MadeiraqueGira]

Great explanation. Thanks for the video!

[@victorroy9721]

Nice presentation ,you put in a lot of good usefull information in a short time ,very well done

[@martinlamarche7568]

You are simply amazing!!! Thank you for sharing so brillantly your knowledges 🙂🙂🙂

[@jamescarter8813]

Great visual of the difference in the way they cut, I will be sending people to watch this when the ask why I don't use carbides.

[@jerrydempsey3490]

Very clear explanations. Thank you.

[@r5yamaha]

The best explanation I've heard!

[@grantfahlman1815]

Ashley, thank you so much for this information. I had been wondering about the value in getting some carbide tools and your details definitely make that decision much easier! I guess I can spend that money on something else, :-).

[@mastergeebo]

This video answered so many questions

[@760raduran]

Great presentation. Was still unclear on the benefits of the V flute but don't expect all of the information. Thanks

[@AshleyHarwood]

To be honest... I don't see any from a turning perspective. I think it's easier to manufacture, though.

[@e.dbogan6266]

You're a good teacher.

[@rickschuman2926]

Very good to see someone making a case for traditional hand turning. Not everyone has the aptitude or time to develop these skills. And yet I have met world class turners that only use scrapers in the traditional sense, being made of medium carbon steel. Also, there are a lot of turners considered to be at the highest level who rough in with tools but actually do most of the work by sanding. If the end result is satisfactory it should be good enough. Not many can afford HSS or carbide tools and the sharpening equipment needed. The sort of cutting edges available in carbide are very limited and custom grinding of HSS is well beyond most people.

[@mrbodawg]

Great Video! Very informative!

[@arthurgoldsmith6601]

Thanks for he great explanation of differences betwen gouges

[@coachingangels]

Superb video. Thank you

[@astbrnrd]

Your videos and content are pleasantly awesome 😊

[@astbrnrd]

🤔 What triggered you to realize wood turning was the "calling" for you?

[@kenfcrafts]

I used to have so many catches before switching to a 40/40 grind for bowls. Some day I'll upgrade to one of your quality gouges. I still love using carbide insert tools for roughing and scraping, though. If used as a negative rake scraper, I've been able to get very smooth finish with fussy (for me, anyways) wood like aspen.

[@manoloramirez6456]

Aslhey megustan tus videos no me pierdo ninguno aprendo más y más a conocer de ese maravilloso trabajo gracias por subir más videos saludos

[@wilbertolugo8700]

thank you. great video.

[@davidquerry8869]

Very educational.

[@fierceflyer5]

Carbide can be sharpened easily too.

[@pedalman4595]

Tool maker machinist here. Love your work knowledge and Videos. Just so you know Carbide can be sharpened with Diamond wheels.

[@garychristensen8025]

I find I can use my square car bide tip lin a different way than scraping. I turn pen blanks and spindles by using the bevel underneath and bring the cutting edge down until I get a pealing cut. ( I also begin by rounding the corners a little with a spindle roughing gouge)

[@bethoven966]

Me gusta mucho tu video esta muy muy bien

[@misharialjamea3502]

Thank u for the explanation. Don't hate me but I still prefer the carbide tool.

[@ianmckinnon7687]

Thanks!

[@eeessex]

You seemed to have left out the biggest con to traditional tools ... Sharpening. Your skill can only progress as fast as your ability to sharpen the tool. You can't make good cuts with dull tools. Another point against traditional tools is price. $500 for your set of traditional tools vs $100 for a set of carbide tools. Having said that, I agree with you that good quality traditional tools give a better cut and have a greater range of cuts than the 3 standard carbide tools. BTW I love your videos and have learned a lot from them.

[@EdwinMedinaTornoyArte]

Excelente... muy bueno 👍👍👍

[@martineastburn3679]

I turn both wood and metal like BradPow. What I see is the Round carbide is super forgiving as it won't catch a point or edge. You can move in various directions whereas the gouge is directed in a direction. And if you have any epoxy in cracks the HSS won't cut well but the carbide will.

[@thgenral]

What brand traditional turning tools do you like best? Robert Sorby, etc.

[@user-sf9yn8gy5f]

Эшли потрясающе выглядит) и таки да, твёрдосплавы больше подходят для начинающих токарей, только потому, что у них заточка держится дольше, но это совсем не значит, что их не нужно точить, или выбросить и купить новые)) в отличии от таких сталей как Р6М5 или Р18, которые быстро точатся и весьма доступны, но требуют определённых навыков в использовании, в том смысле что если ими неправильно пользоваться, то они быстро придут в негодность, в отличии от твёрдосплавов которыми можно дольше работать, но и проблематично затачивать.. спасибо за субтитры, почтение и уважение мастеру :)++

[@xvirgomoonx]

If you have a CBN grinding wheel, you can sharpen a carbide tip by grinding the flat side. Thanks for the nice video!

[@BradsWorkbench]

Or a diamond stone

[@peteking7405]

I'm using diamond stone and I still have the same carbide since 2 years. I'm not professional woodturner but I'm using quite often my lathe (minimum 10 hrs a week)

[@michaeljohnson309]

Good video.

[@marchandlionel2238]

excelente vidéo than kyou Ashley.

[@timothyroseth6859]

Well done. Have you tried the Hunter Carbide Tools? The cutter is 'cup' shaped so it seems like they would perform more like HSS.

[@Johnleathercrafts]

Becoming a huge fan from sri lanka ♥️

[@williamzarkadas2983]

Ashley, I love your work!! Can you pass along some information on the type/brand of face shield you use and the type your students use during your training seminars. I noticed that yours has a breathing apparatus that I think would be very helpful, especially for those of us who constantly battle with sinus issues. Thanks again and keep doing what you do.

[@jameshutchins3396]

It's on her webpage

[@AshleyHarwood]

I use a Sundstrom- and yes, it’s available on my website. We turn almost all wet wood during classes, do there isn’t a need for this type of PAPR

[@russmartin4189]

When I was a kid, my father had a wood lathe that he rarely used. He sold it to a neighbor and bought another professional camera, since he was a professional photographer. I went on to become a fine art photographer, and used that camera through graduate school. Now I am retired and wish I had his lathe, but then I might not be sitting in my nice house now which was the result of a pension I earned as a fine art photography teacher. I will never know. Anyway, I also took ceramics and taught it. Turning wood reminds me of that. I can see myself getting into turning, but it is a whole nother thing. Maybe not. At 72 you have to pick your shots. Anyway, great video. You know your stuff. You remind me of some of the female artisans I knew in graduate school. I rang the bell and subscribed. It should be fun watching your content.

[@MatheusRaymundo10]

I think you should go for it man! Try the lathe and have fun, life is too short!

[@russmartin4189]

@@MatheusRaymundo10 Looks like a lot of fun, and challenging, but I have too many things on my plate and I would have to buy all of the equipment. At this point, there is a high bar to becoming involved with a new medium, and realistically, I probably couldn't practice it for long, being almost 72. In the past year, I have bought a lot of woodworking equipment. That will have to be my alternate medium, photography being number one. As you age, you realize increasing limitations on time to learn and practice a new skill, your finances, and probably your health. I look forward and think, "i damn in 8 years I'll be 80!" I hope to be in great shape, but I may not even be here. If I knew I would be going strong at 100, I might put the time and money into it. Odds are against that. You should learn and refine a life skill when you are young, and then become known for whatever that is. A person has to be honest with himself/herself and think, what do I love enough, have commitment enough, time enough, finances enough, and a big enough place to get into this type of art? Then, they also have to ask, if I do all that, can I make enough money to live the way I want and can I stay committed to it for my entire working life? I would want to become a very skilled craftsman, like Ashley. That will never happen for me with the time I have.

[@blacknorce]

I was hoping you would go over what's better for turning resin. Carbide vs steel

[@rosascreativeworks5403]

I'm interested in your faceshield / helmet / air filtration system....? That looks interesting considering how much sanding I do.

[@ericmoorehead1100]

Can you comment on negative rake carbide cutters-are they really better for finishing relative to a standard carbide cutter?

[@smoothoctopus]

I design metal working tools and it seems to me, the only real problem with carbide vs hss word turning tools, is the lack of a proper insert holder, or more traditional style insert holder (well aswell as more variety in insert shape), to allow the free form techniques that you suggest, or a solid carbide traditional formed tool would work as well...though it'd be prohibitively expensive....Nice video!

[@chassardyannick1976]

j'aime beaucoup vos vidéo (depuis la france).

[@zaferaksoy5359]

👌😀 thank you

[@scottpetrie8707]

Awesome

[@conortube]

This is really helpful thank you - why the hell is KZbin blurring out the V shaped tool close up at 6:40???

[@im4dabirds]

thanks

[@johnhartmusii1499]

I am just curious, what is the larger old lathe behind you in this video? Do you ever use it for turning? It looks like the nameplate might show Oliver, but I am not sure.

[@drvalisuarez]

Hello Ashley, where can I buy the carbide tools?

[@wayneterpstra4990]

What brand of quick change handles do you use ?

[@Stillnapie]

Well done. After forty years of turning (and learning daily..) this is a fine explanation. I have never seen any use for those over priced carbide tools...

[@Balenza345]

Not all carbide tools cut by scraping. The Sovereign Ultima Hollowing System for example cuts in very much the same way as a traditional bowl gouge. Except it has a guide to adjust the depth of cut. And the insert tip can be re sharpened. The insert in fact is shaped like a tiny "bowl".

[@keithgutshall9559]

You can get HHS inserts for the tools!

[@court2379]

I don't think that would be an advantage. It is the geometry differences in the tools that has the largest effect. HSS will form a sharper edge, but wont hold it as long though.

[@whsm5576]

The Proof is in the pudding. I defy anyone to look at a finished bowl and be able to distinguish between carbide tools having been used as opposed to traditional tools. Yes carbide are easier to use, their also less expensive because they can be resharpened but do not need the additional hardware for constant sharpening that traditional tools do. I’m sure this is how people who used quill pens felt at the arrival of the fountain pen. It needs less skill to use, but the final product is indistinguishable

[@The901meister]

I totally agree. I don't understand all the negativity from " old school turners" regarding carbide tools. I turn pens, rings, bowls and round boxes and get a finish as smooth as a baby's bottom. Sharpening takes about 30 seconds with light circles on a diamond card.

[@2011woodlands]

You can shape and re-sharpen carbide cutters with diamond bits in a dremel tool, but i am talking solid carbide pieces and not the small replacement heads.

[@yohannveyret5119]

Hello what kind of wax do you use for Wood drying?