Bowl Gouges Standard Bowl Gouges These are a must in any turner's tool kit. These are strong, rigid and stable tools designed to withstand the rigours of bowl turning. As such they can be used for either massive removal of wood or delicate shaping cuts. If you are intent on making bowls, then this tool will be in your hands more often than any other. The 3/8" gouge is the most popular. Available with or without handle. 1/4" and 3/8" have 14" handles, 1/2" is available in 14" or 17" handle, 3/4" has 17" handles.
Captive Ring Tool The unique Captive Ring Tool from Robert Sorby has a user friendly flat shaft with a specially designed cutter seat. This seat is machined into both sides of the shaft so that when cutting either side of the captive ring, the cutter is angled to the front and into the direction of the cut, giving more control over the cut whilst keeping the tool flat on the rest. The cutters can be swivelled in the seat allowing the ring to be cut within a limited space. The Captive Ring Tool cutters are interchangeable with the Mushroom tool (804H) and Box Hollower (803H). Sharpen the cutters with a diamond file or honing stone flat across the face. User instructions included.
Chattertool The Chattertool creates random decorative patterns on end grain only. That makes it ideal for box lids and jewellery. Each pattern created is unique as it is determined by the shape of the cutter, the speed of the lathe, the length of protrusion of the blade, and the type of wood. Because of the random nature of these decorations they are unrepeatable unless exactly the same conditions exist. The Chattertool comes in two versions. One includes two double ended cutters and a tear drop cutter which converts the Chattertool to a handy and versatile scraper. The other includes the two double ended cutters only. The Chattertool comes with full instructions. Further information on use of this and other decorative tools is available on the Decorative Tools video (VRS03A)
Deep Hollowing System The RS2000 System is derived from the original Stewart System which was one of the first tools devised for hollowing out deep vessels. One of its advantages is that it is modular in construction which means that it can be adapted to meet specific applications. It comes complete with both a Slicer for the coning of bowls to save waste wood and a Hooker for hollowing under the rims of vessels. The Arm Brace is an optional extra. The RS2000 System comes in two variations - one complete (RS2000), and the other complete except for the chattertool element (RS2001). Complete with full instructional manual. All components are available separately.
Detail Point Tool The Detail Point Tool is a 3/8" round shaft with a 3 facet point. It is ideal for fine detailing on bowl and spindle work.
Dimensioning Tools A collection of tools designed for the woodturner to measure wall thickness, internal and external dimensions.
Hollowing - Multi Tip This collection features Robert Sorby's unique range of highly popular multi tip tools. All of them have the major benefit of a flat working surface on the shank. This gives automatically more stability and ensures the turner has greater control. Each tool comes with the appropriate hollowing cutter (RS230KT, RS130KT) or cutters (RS200KT, RS100KT) as well as a scraper cutter with three different working faces. There are additional beading and coving cutters to fit the straight versions (RS200KT, RS100KT).
Hollowing - End Grain These are designed for the more delicate hollowing of end grain projects like vases and weed pots. Their swan-neck shape makes them ideal for blind turning or under-cutting. The tools are differentiated by the scale of project to be undertaken. All except the 14" long version (850H) have replaceable HSS tips.
Hollowing - Straight These three tools can be used on both side and end-grain. They are ideal for longer projects like deep vases. All three come with replaceable HSS tips which are easily sharpened with a diamond hone.
Interchangable Cutter System This system uses a specially machined cutter seat in a uniquely designed flat shaft. The cutter seat has been machined so that when the cutter is in position, it is slightly angled down to the front and into the direction of the cut. It is machined in this way on both sides so that the cutter is in the correct position when cutting from either direction while keeping the shaft flat on the tool rest. The tool is available in two options; there is the standard and long version. There are many different shaped cutters available for various applications, specifically designed to fit into the cutter seat.
Lamp and Long Hole Auger For long hole boring standard lamps and table lamps. 950 Lamp Standard Shell Augers 30" overall length - supplied handled. 5/16" and 3/8". For long hole boring.
Modular Micro Turning Tools Robert Sorby continues to lead the way with woodworking tool innovation with the introduction of the all new Micro tool system.The system is centred on the beautifully engineered burgundy anodised aluminium handle. Into this handle can be fitted an array of tools.
There are 4 separate tools available: Micro Sandmaster Micro Spindle Set Micro Spiralling Tool Micro Hollowing Set
The main benefit of this system is that the woodturner can buy just one of the above sets which include the modular handle and then add any of the other sets to complement their collection
Micro Turning Tools Ideal for those working in 1/12" scale or miniature projects, the micro HSS turning tools gave fine control for detail work. Their size - overall length is 10" - means that even when working on a mini lathe there is no fouling the bed bars. These tools are great for pens, dolls house furniture, Christmas ornaments, lace bobbins, finials on small box lids, jewellery, and other small projects. The Multi Scraper is one of the handiest tools in any turner's kit. Available as individual tools or sets.
Midi Turning Tools This collection of HSS turning tools is ideal for those who have a midi or mini lathe or who work in restricted areas. These are scaled down versions of regular tools. Overall length is 14".
Parting Tools Parting tools are primarily used for parting off projects. The thinner section tools are particular beneficial when using the more exotic woods. However, parting tools may also be used to provide thin banded decorations on turnings.
Fluted parting tools are specially shaped to give an extra clean finish. Available with and without handle except for the Slim Parting Tool..
The shape of the Diamond Parting Tools prevents both binding in the cut and heat build-up which may lead to burning of the project..
Fluted parting tools are specially shaped to give an extra clean finish.
The Beading and Parting Tool is extremely versatile. Its finesse allows for the production of beads whilst it can also be used for conventional parting off. Its more massive section makes it much more rigid and hence it is ideal for making spigots.
Made from the same section as the Beading and Parting Tool, the Bedan, which is a popular tool in France, has a relieved side clearance. This allows it to be used for both beading and parting as well as plunge cuts in bowls and boxes.
In order to obtain accurate and consistent diameters up to 3" the Sizing Tool is a useful accessory. It takes the ¼" parting tool, 3/16" diamond parting tool and the beading & parting tool
Roughing Gouges A roughing gouge is a fundamental part of any spindle turners tool kit. The roughing gouge is designed specifically to turn square wood into round between centres. On no account should it ever be used for roughing out bowls. It was never designed for that task and will not withstand the rigours of bowl turning. The 3/4" version is the more popular size. Available with or without handle.
Sandmaster Allows sanding and polishing of work piece whilst still on the lathe Multi-position 2" velcro pad Also takes optional 3" velcro pad Complete with 2 discs of each of 5 grits: 60, 120, 180, 240 & 400 Also accepts goblet and bowl mops to apply different types of finish
Scrapers Scrapers are an essential part of any turner's took kit. They are designed to give to a very fine finish primarily on bowl or face-plate work. Unlike other turning tools they are held in the perpendicular on the tool rest. When used correctly they will virtually eliminate the need for sanding.
Skew Chisels The skew chisel is the equivalent of the plane to the spindle turner as it is used to obtain an even and clean finish on between-centres projects. It should not be used on bowl projects. There are two shapes of skew chisel. The oval skew glides effortlessly along the tool rest and its shape gives much more manoeuvrability. On the other hand the standard skew is rectangular in section. Its heavier weight makes it ideal for larger projects like newel posts and chair legs.
Spindle Gouges Spindle gouges are used for producing shapes - beads and coves - on spindle work. These are delicate tools designed for creating fine detail. These are not rugged enough to be used on face-plate work. Available with or without handle.
Spindlemaster The Spindlemaster is unique to Robert Sorby. It is an exceptionally user-friendly variant of the skew chisel, but acts like a gouge. Unlike the skew chisel, it has not corners which might cause those infamous 'dig-ins'. Instead it is high versatile - it coves, it beads, it planes and it trims end grain. At the same time it is easy to sharpen. Just run a diamond hone across the top face - nothing could be easier. Available handled and unhandled in full size and micro size.
Spiralling & Texturing The Spiralling System is a tool unique to Robert Sorby. It is designed to provide decorative spirals on turned work - round the rims of bowls, round, the stems of goblets and candle-sticks. It will not cut threads. Spirals can be cut at different angles, left or right and in different sizes. Such is the variety. It is possible to cut one spiral over another to produce cross hatches, diamonds and rope effects. Even now turners are still experimenting with this tool in conjunction with colours, inlays and hollow forms. It really challenges the imagination. The indexed reference points on the tool rest enable repeatability of spirals. There are two options. The complete system comes with four cutters - three for spiralling and one for texturing. The basic tool comes with just cutter but is an ideal introduction to this decorative technique. Spare and additional cutters are available. Both come with instructions on use. The Spiralling System is not intended for use on soft woods. Use a diamond sharpening file (RS224) to keep the tool in tip-top condition Further information on use of this and other decorative tools is available on the Decorative Tools video (VRS03A)
Starter Sets When first beginning turning, the novice is faced with a vast array of choices. One of those choices is to cut corners by buying an inexpensive set. That could be your worst decision as cheap tools perform inadequately leading to immediate frustration….cause not by the turners inability, but by the poor quality of tools. We strongly recommend this set of six HSS turning tools. It contains the six basic tools which the turner will always have a need for. This set does not back you into the corner of making an early choice between spindle and bowl turning. Instead it allows the turner to try out both disciplines.
Texan Turning Tools This is a selection of large scale work for those carrying out massive projects. Not only are they longer in reach but their large section makes them more stable and less prone to vibration. Overall length including handle is 38"
Threading Tools If you have been making lidded boxes for a while the next step is to started producing threaded lids. This is not a project for the novice or the faint hearted. Producing threads needs a lot of practice and a steady hand but once mastered this technique adds significant value to your project. These Robert Sorby thread cutters were designed in conjunction with master turner Robert Sorby and have been specially produced for cutting in wood. Thread cutters are available in matching pairs for internal and external threads. The Relief Tool is a handy accessory to cut the relief in the bottom of female threads whilst the Tool Support enables extra access. The gauge is extremely useful for any box maker as it enables the accurate sizing of the lid whether threaded or a push fit. One of the anvils gives a 1:1 measurement for a push fit whilst the other three accurately give the size required for the specific depth of thread - whether 10ppi, 16ppi or 20ppi.
