experimental tools

[Phil Pascoe]

Oak from an old fence post, Chinese t.c. cutters, 17mm hex steel bar offcuts cut with a 1mm angle grinder disc, finished with flapwheels and an upholstery nail to finish. I haven't tried them yet, I might have to reduce the tips of the bar a little. Total cost? <£7 per tool.

 

[AJB Temple]

Looks like a good job. Can't go wrong really at that outlay.

 

[DaveL]

Looks like two very useful tools.

 

[CHJ]

Neatly done, satisfying to make your own handles to suite personal reach and tool balance preference.

Suspect you are correct in needing to narrow the width at the front of the shaft with the rectangular tip, especially if you intend to use it for internal straight boring cuts.

Personally I find I get on better if I keep the tips of rectangular tips level with the top face of the shaft. (easier to keep shaft clear of the centre line)

 

[Woodster]

I’ve made lots of experimental tools using carbide inserts. Rather than make a handle for every tool though I decided to make my own collet handles using ER Collet chucks from the auction site.

I made a hexagonal shaft carbide tool for a mate and he uses it a lot but I much prefer square stock myself or in some cases round. I’ve made a few carbide tools for friends and the most popular uses the 9mm round carbide inserts, these are great for hollowing and are easily sharpened on a diamond hone when needed.