Turning Acrylic - Traditional or carbide tools?

[PensFromNo11]

I'm getting into turning Acrylic pens in a big way, but so far I've just used my traditional skews and gouges, I'm getting good enough results, but its very slow compared with turning wood.

What are most of you using?
Are there benefits in either Traditional or Carbide tools?

Darren

 

[flexi]

Traditional tools for me,
I do own carbide but find it's quicker and more controllable with a gouge....

 

[Curly]

I don't have any carbide tools so I must be using traditional skews, spindle and bowl gouges.

Pete

 

[PensFromNo11]

Traditional tools for me,
I do own carbide but find it's quicker and more controllable with a gouge....

That's interesting, when I watch most YouTubes on acrylic pens almost all use carbide

 

[alpha1]

I turn my pens on a metal lathe I have all ways used carbide inserts. I have a wood lathe but I have never turned a pen on it.

 

[Padster]

Only ever traditional gouges and skews for me….

Padster

 

[geoff46]

I use both - whatever floats ya boat

 

[Penpal]

Use both,word of warning there are so many makers of 9inferior plastic that they respond so differently. I liken them to consumables such as cars and tyres,just depend.

 

[Bill Mooney]

I use a spindle roughing gouge & home made finishing tool. I have used carbide but it’s not my preferred system.

 

[Tephy]

I use both and some tools I made myself. I tend to do several wood pens and then several resin pens to stop me from getting bored. The most important thing is sharp tools.

 

[darrenreid1967]

I'm getting into turning Acrylic pens in a big way, but so far I've just used my traditional skews and gouges, I'm getting good enough results, but its very slow compared with turning wood.

What are most of you using?
Are there benefits in either Traditional or Carbide tools?

Darren

I was trained with traditional tools 42 years ago and have and am proficient with carbide as well. I still prefer a sharp skew chisel as I find that I prefer the control and finishing cuts from a skew over carbide.

You will have die hard traditional tool and die hard carbide tool users. One takes time and skill to learn to use and sharpen, whereas carbide doesn't. At the end of the day use what you want but remember carbide isn't a magic answer if someone is having difficulty using traditional tools. It comes down to practice, not once, not twice but ongoing.

 

[Phil Dart]

Carbides are popular because they provide instant access to turning for those who don't know how to use traditional gouges. If you know how to use traditional tools, there is no reason on most materials, to use anything else, especially considering that a carbide is essentially just a scraper that takes longer to go blunt. That said, I do use a carbide in shear-scraping mode as a final cut on acrylics - I find a skew too feeble on acrylics so I use a gouge, and a final shear cut with a carbide tidies it up for me prior to sanding.

 

[PensFromNo11]

Carbides are popular because they provide instant access to turning for those who don't know how to use traditional gouges. If you know how to use traditional tools, there is no reason on most materials, to use anything else, especially considering that a carbide is essentially just a scraper that takes longer to go blunt. That said, I do use a carbide in shear-scraping mode as a final cut on acrylics - I find a skew too feeble on acrylics so I use a gouge, and a final shear cut with a carbide tidies it up for me prior to sanding.

The reason I asked the question in the first place was because I was using a skew, getting good results but, It took time, as you say a bit feeble. I've had a go at your method of applying melamine on a Thuya Burr pen today (ill post the results in a while), but next time I'm on an acrylic blank ill give my never been used Robert Sorby changeable head carbide thing a go - shear scraping mode I guess is at a 45 degree angle?
Thank you for the idea and the finishing PDF (Melamine pen is looking good)

 

[howsitwork?]

I use HSS and carbon steel,tools on wood, hybrid and acrylic because that’s what I have always used. As yet haven’t tried carbide on them. For hollowing deep into end grain I love my ring tool but have just got a Simon Hope carbide to,try out .

The carbon steel holds a wonderful edge but only,for a short time but easy and fast to sharpen with a hone.

 

[sbwertz]

We do a lot of stone inlay at the blind center....mostly turquoise and jasper. After putting in the stone we use carbide to finish the pens. I have used both carbide, and high speed steel for acrylics.