Robert SorbyT24999 - TurnMaster Handle with Tungsten Carbide Cutters Nos. 1, 2 and 3

Anyone looking at this tool has probably also considered the easy wood turning tools, as well as offerings from Harrison, and perhaps Carter axe tools. There's some nice offerings from the UK as well. While the tools are essentially the same there are subtle differences.These tools are either used in the scraping mode, or for better quality (although less aggressive) cuts rotated for shearing cuts. Companies like Harrison make a dedicated shearing tool that has a round for this purpose. Easy wood turning tools has no tool for shearing to my knowledge. I've also seen a couple of specialty tools that have more of a hook edge end are designed to be used more like traditional gouges at an angle. With all that said the Sorby tool has an appeal as it offers many features at an affordable price. I would say it's biggest issue has to do with the required distance from the work to the support. The number one reason chisels "catch" has to do with an unsupported tool. When you're starting out with the tool several inches from the work, it doesn't exactly give you a running start to deal with catches! Anyone who has experienced a catch wood turning knows it can scare the heck out of you, and ruin your work piece in the process. So, if there's a reason to reject this tool it's because of this design flaw. You can cut with just the tip resting on the tool rest, but it limits your reach as the knurled nut gets in the way. Lastly, the tool is not very well-balanced. it is most definitely top-heavy. I think it could be 4 or 5 inches longer, and perhaps even weighted to better balance the tool. They do sell this tool without the handle, and then offer a 16 and 22 inch handle, and I think that would be the better way to go. Bottom line for me was I just couldn't get use to great (unsupported ) distance this tool requires, particularly when there's other offerings out there. I think eventually a person would want extra tips as it's not very practical to constantly unscrew and replace the tip. Once you factor in the cost of extra tips, you're basically at the same price as competitors, but you still have the disadvantaged of an unsupported tool.There's an inherent danger in plunging a tool into a spinning work piece, so starting out with a well supported tool makes sense to me, and Robert Sorby missed the boat on this one IMO.I will also say to other users who are using carbide tools is make sure your tool is less than 90° to the workpiece. That is to say you're better off with your tool rest slightly above center, and angling the tool down 1° or so. This is very different than using traditional tools, but the greatest likelihood for a catch is when the angle is greater than 90 as the workpiece wants to pull it into the spinning piece, and this can cause a catch. I would also be wary about the square cutters as your cutting with both the front and side of the tool, instead of just the front. This makes for very aggressive would removal, but can also invite catches as the force increases. One of the 4 inch or 2 inch radius cutters would be less aggressive, but you may need to go to a different manufacturer to acquire one.Good luck to everybody and be safe!

I will not be using this until after Christmas, so a follow -up review will be in order. However that being said, the turning chisel is well made and is of a high quality. I ordered the handled carbide version, but the package stated that it was the HSS chisel. On further examination all three carbide inserts had been include plus a set of HSS inserts. I recommend watching the Stumpy Nubs video: “Turning Tools: Carbide vs. HSS-Which is Better?” This video clears up the myths and misunderstandings of carbide inserts.

The toolbar has to be placed too far away from my project to rest on the flat area of the tool. Nice heavy construction.

bulky head doesn't ride on tool rest and interferes with function of the tool.

The tool is awesome! Does everything I need it to do and way easier than traditional turning tools. Make my job easier and quicker to get the job done. Taylor tool works is an awesome company! They went far and beyond my order and they gave me extra turning cutters for just ordering through them. Taylor tool works is the company that I will continue to shop with for years to come! Thanks Taylor toolworks!

I love the way this thing cuts! But don't buy in for a midi or mini lathe, it's far too big and bulky for me.

It is good enough if something went wrong with the tool I would buy another...

Just buy it already