Handle types and what others use

[Simoli]

OK, I started what I thought was a smple enough thread on how to make handles. Looks like I didn't really think it all the way through. My original intent was to make longer/heavier handles for some of my more beefy tools. But now I have to add in the metal handles to the mix. My first thought was that the metal handles are a pain since you constantly would have to change out the ends. I figure there must be a good compromise out there. Maybe I should get a metal handle for just a couple of tools. How do you decide what handle to put on what tool? Before I go down this road too far I figure I should see what some "seasoned" people have to say.

I have tried a couple of tools with the heavier metal handles. They seemed to to nicely since they were on a large gouge and a hollowing tool. I can see though that not everything would need this kind of mass.

What are some high quality manufacturers of metal handles? I've looked through the Woodturners Source web and see several mfg's.

 

[MichaelMouse]

I use short/light/sturdy handles. Since I'm not in the habit from a style or safety standpoint of letting the tool overhang the rest much, a heavy handle becomes a liability to me, as a weight I must carry on my bent elbow. When you keep your toolrest close, you don't need a longer handle for small angular changes, either. You can swing the nose and change the bite considerably with a shorter nose to fulcrum distance with a modest arc, even with a shorter handle.

Final advantage is that I gain a lot more maneuver room with shorter handles. While the 3000 has pretty good extension on the tailstock, there is still something in the way, and it tends to wander a bit under load at full extension anyway, so I prize the extra room a shorter handle gives for my fist/wrist. If you are cutting over the bed, which you pretty much have to do to take advantage of the stabilization and safety provided by the tailstock, you can run into problems with your long handles hitting the ways.

Swimming upstream with these, but I've given the reasons for my choices, so see how they match your experience before you revamp. Make the handles the way your hand favors them. I sort of favor the knob end like Crown/Hamlet/Packard to the Sorby, but I change tools fairly often and hand fatigue is rarely a problem.