Advanced
Books
We offer all the most sought after woodworking titles from around the world. Some of them appear here first in the UK.
Whether you are into turning, cabinet-making, carving or routing, there is a suitable book for you.
Clock Movement & Accessories
Decorative Materials
Enhance your work with this comprehensive range of decorative materials.
Finishing
We offer 3 makes of finishing products. Robert Sorby and Chestnut are popular brands from the UK. Also popular is the Organoil brand from Australia.
Glues
In a modern workshop, no one single type of glue will suffice for every job. Some considerations may be: the type of material being bonded e.g. wood to wood, wood to metal. Does the joint need to be waterproof? Is the item to be used outdoors?. Is drying time critical? Does the adhesive need to fill gaps? Does it need to be flexible? Do you need to be able to reposition items before the adhesive "grabs"? To cover most requirements, we stock a wide range of glues and adhesives. If you are unsure of the product most suited to your requirement , please telephone us and we'll try our best to advise you.
Hand Planes
A range of hand planes from Clifton and Veritas
Lathe Accessories
All of these lathe accessories are made to high and demanding standards in the UK. Since its introduction a few years ago the Stebcentre has become the most popular drive of its type.
We also offer centre steadies, hollow revolving centres, drives, indexing systems and a selection of interchangeable tool rests.
Lathe Chucks
For the experienced turner we offer the Robert Sorby Eccentric Chuck. This is most versatile and robust chuck available for off-centre or eccentric turning. It now comes with an instructional CD and project book.
For regular turning we recommend the new Patriot chuck from Robert Sorby with its array of different jaw configurations. It expands and contracts, it operates from a single key and it is very smooth in use. Sizes are available to fit almost every conceivable lathe.
Microclene
The range of Microclene air filters are respected around the world for quality and value for money. Each Microclene is hand assembled and tested three times during manufacture to ensure a top quality product every time. The filter media is to the EU4 grade, which means that it will filter out 95% of 1 micron size particles and still filter particles of 0.4 microns in size (the human eye can detect a 10 micron particle).
Pen Blanks
The choice of blanks is endless and covers the full plethora of woods as
well as many varieties of man made materials. The more interesting the
blank is the more striking your pen will become.
Pen Kits and Accessories
At Turners Retreat we have one of the most comprehensive range of pen making equipment available. All of our pen kits can be supplied with detailed assembly instructions. We also pride ourselves in being able to supply spare parts for every pen kit we sell, so in the unlikely event of any problem, we'll be pleased to help you out.
Many kits are available with more than one plating option. Our standard quanlity 24K Gold offers a pen that that is available at a very competive price and is ideal for inexpensive gifts and for general use. The Premium Gold plating is standard on most of the "Euro" and "Round Top" series and has plated parts that undergo additional cleaning and degreasing processes, before being plated on "plating trees" as opposed to the tumble plating process used on many less expensive kits.
Pens can be turned on a lathe by a number of different methods, but most people use a dedicated mandrel and bush system. The "A" mandrel is used for most of the slim line pens, with the option of a more substantial "B" mandrel for use with the larger pens. This mandrel is held in place in the headstock of the lathe with a "drill driver". This is based around a morse taper and hence is available in the MT1 and MT2 fittins. The drill driver remains in the headstock of the lathe, and the busgings and wood blank can be fitted on to the mandrel shaft and then located back into the drill driver to be turned.
The bushing set provides a quick and accurate method of sizing the finished diameters of the item prior to assembly. As the kits vary in finished sizes, so each type of kit has its own dedicated bushing set.
Project Accessories
Whether you sell your wares at a craft market or make gifts for friends and family, your project can always be enhanced these accessories including key-rings, letter openers, corks and corkscrews, mirrors, birdhouse ornaments and much more.
Robert Sorby - Turning Tools
Robert Sorby is the world's premier manufacturer of turning tools. Many year's of experience go into making each tool bearing the distinctive Robert Sorby hallmark. It is attention to detail which sets Robert Sorby tools apart from others:
· High grade M2 High Speed Steel
· Highly polished cutting edges
· Close control of heat treatment
· High degree of edge retention
· Handles from sustained sources
· Blades firmly seated in handles
· Broad selection of tools
· Many exclusive designs
· Handle size chosen for the specific function of each tool
Robert Sorby employ many active woodturners who understand the demands of woodturning. So their products are designed to meet the needs of today's woodturner.
Many of the specialist tools come with full operating instructions.
Most tools are available with or without handle.
All Robert Sorby tools are made in their factory in Sheffield, England under strict quality control standards
Safety Supplies
The desire to finish the job is the overriding issue with us all. Personal safety is something all too often neglected and only given any thought when a shaving or wood dust hits the eye. Whether woodworking for you is a part-time hobby or a full time profession, your health is paramount. You should always protect your eyes, ears and lungs. With this in mind we have put together a collection of products to help you stay safe.
Sharpening
Blunt woodworking tools at best cause frustration and poor finish - at worst can be the cause of accidents. Make sharpening problems a thing of the past with these Robert Sorby Sharpening Systems. Designed to work with standard bench grinders. Supplied with comprehensive fitting and user instructions.
Silky Pull Saws
The most striking advantage of the Silky Japanese Pull Saw is its ability to cut very accurately with little effort. There is less binding, buckling and braking because the blade is under tension on the pull, rather than under compression as in western saws. Pull saws ensure straight cuts and thinner kerfs. Precision ground and polished blades with two rows of impulse hardened teeth ensure a flat surface, which creates a smooth finish on the wood. We believe the pull saw to be the "saw of the 21st century" - try one and you will too!
Veneers
These are high quality, natural wood veneers. Available in 3 sq ft packs (12" lengths), 8 sq ft packs (18" - 22" lengths) and 12 sq ft packs (48" lengths) containing sequence matched veneer. Ideal for furniture repair, project decoration or marquetry.
Videos and DVD's
Our selection of instructional Videos and DVDs is aimed at both the beginner and experienced woodworker - whether carver, turner, furniture-maker or router
WoodCarving
A range of carving tools from Robert Sorby, Ashley Iles and Flexcut
Workshop Accessories
A range of accessories for your workshop.
Workshop Machinery
If you are looking for a competitively priced bandsaw, lathe or pillar drill, this is your department.
Please Note: Delivery price on request.
Woodworking Chisels & Marking Out
No one in the world offers a more comprehensive collection of special chisels than Robert Sorby. These are designed for the demanding craftsman, cabinet maker, furniture restorer and house builder. Many of the tools in this collection are exclusive to Robert Sorby - corner chisels and the longest paring chisels manufactured today. The face of each chisel has an indentation point. This is your guarantee of quality as it is the mark left by our diamond hardness tester. Each tool goes through this process.
Forged from special Sheffield alloy steel, unique to Robert Sorby for edge tool manufacture.
Combination of special steel and careful heat treatment gives a unique combination of edge retention and overall toughness which are the hallmarks of each Robert Sorby chisel.
Precision ground for extra accuracy.
Blades honed and lapped ready for use
Solid 2" x 3/8" forged tang for the ultimate in handle securement and strength
Robust or refined handle depending on specific application
Manufactured to British Standard BS1943 for woodworking chisels
Wood for handles comes from sustainable sources
Wood Blanks
Native and exotic woods specially cut and prepared for woodturners, woodcarvers and woodworkers alike.
Wood is sold as part-seasoned unless otherwise stated and no guarantee can be given to the actual moisture content. Woods sold by weight will be sold at the original weight marked at source. Back orders cannot be placed due to availability. All wood will be checked for splits at date of dispatch. Unfortunately we cannot accept returns due to cracks or splits after 5 days from date of invoice. All reasonable efforts will be made regarding selection to match customers' requirements. All sizes quoted are nominal.
Carriage will be based on weight - each 15kgs will carry a tariff of £4.50 for mainland UK. Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland and offshore areas will be charged at cost. Wood does not apply to carriage rates shown in our catalogue.
