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Skew vs Hunter Osprey vs EZ wood tools.

john lucas

john lucas

AAW Forum Expert
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We have been having a discussion about scraping vs bevel rubbing cuts and someone thought it would be nice to have photos showing the difference. I did that this afternoon. Since we were also discussing the Hunter carbide tools I included that. I turned 3 spindles. One using the skew for all the cuts except the cove where I used a Thompson detail gouge. That is the top spindle. The middle spindle was done using the Hunter mini Osprey. You'll notice I couldn't get inbetween the beads as well because of the thickness of the cutter but the overall finial was just as clean. I used it as a bevel rubbing tool. The bottom spindle was done with the square EZ wood tool and details and beads were done with the EZ detail tool. I tried very hard to keep the sharp corners clean but it just wouldn't do it. made several light passes trying. You can also see the tear out pretty much all over. Sanding that would make the fine details even worse. The top 2 spindles will actually get duller with 600 grit but it might smooth out a couple of less than perfect shapes.
The last photo I used the Hunter Osprey as a scraping tool to compare it to the EZ wood tool. I had freshly sharpened the EZ wood tool. The Osprey is one I've been using for a while and just taught 2 one day classes where the student used this tool the whole day to turn his projects. So the cutter has been used a lot and still leaves this clean of a surface and in the 1st photo it left a surface as clean as a freshly sharpened and honed skew.
 

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Thanks for the work, John. One thing that I would like to see is labels identifying what is what. I read the text, but by the time that I scroll through the pictures, I've lost track of what each picture is supposed to represent and which tools were used. Also, in my old age slightly larger pictures would help.
 
I sort of did that on Wood Central but don't know how on this site. I should have labeled them in the drawings. When my computer got a virus and I lost photoshop I had to get an updated version and it works totally different than before and still haven't learned to put text on photos.
 
John, thanks for taking time to turn this demo for the different tools. I find it very interesting as to the finish and detail of the three tools.
 
john lucas said:
We have been having a discussion about scraping vs bevel rubbing cuts and someone thought it would be nice to have photos showing the difference. I did that this afternoon. Since we were also discussing the Hunter carbide tools I included that. I turned 3 spindles. One using the skew for all the cuts except the cove where I used a Thompson detail gouge. That is the top spindle. The middle spindle was done using the Hunter mini Osprey. You'll notice I couldn't get inbetween the beads as well because of the thickness of the cutter but the overall finial was just as clean. I used it as a bevel rubbing tool. The bottom spindle was done with the square EZ wood tool and details and beads were done with the EZ detail tool. I tried very hard to keep the sharp corners clean but it just wouldn't do it. made several light passes trying. You can also see the tear out pretty much all over. Sanding that would make the fine details even worse. The top 2 spindles will actually get duller with 600 grit but it might smooth out a couple of less than perfect shapes.
The last photo I used the Hunter Osprey as a scraping tool to compare it to the EZ wood tool. I had freshly sharpened the EZ wood tool. The Osprey is one I've been using for a while and just taught 2 one day classes where the student used this tool the whole day to turn his projects. So the cutter has been used a lot and still leaves this clean of a surface and in the 1st photo it left a surface as clean as a freshly sharpened and honed skew.
Click to expand...

John,

This is really of interest to me as I want to do some wood turning on my metal lathe. I made an initial test using the traditional tools (i.e., scrapers) and was not satisfied with the results. Was considering making a Hunter style tool that would mount in the tool post but wondered if it would provide the same type of results I see on the wood lathe (using cutting tools : skews or gouges). This has prompted me to proceed with that endeavour.

Kind regards,
Rich
 
Interesting. I am one of those who has a hard time with the carbide stuff. I'm sure it's my lack of toolmanship when using them. I like my tools really sharp and I like being able to keep them that way without waiting for the shipper to send me new bits.

Looking at the comparison of the different tooling types what is the attraction to the carbide tools?

I tried an easy wood tool on a brass fitting and shattered the bit. My old Sears parting tool cuts it just fine and I don't have to replace the tip.

I own a set and I rarely ever touch them.
 
Al the photo that was labeled skew and EZ wood tools is incorrect. The skew would leave a much cleaner finish. The bottom spindle was done with the Hunter Osprey using it flat as a scraper. As you can see it leaves a better finish than the EZ wood tool. The new Clewes 1st mate and 2nd mate have the cutter mounted at an angle like the Osprey and they are used flat. Sometime when I have time I'll do a platter with the Clewes tools and see how they work.

Roy The advantage of the Carbide cutters is never having to sharpen them. Well at least with the hunter tools. You can sharpen the EZ wood tools and they need it far more often than I would have thought. I like to use HSS tools to cut Brass and Copper although I'm told the Hunter tools will do it nicely. That shape of tool was originally designed to give a better finish on aluminum when used in a metal lathe. If your struggling with the EZ wood tools you aren't alone. Sometimes they cut great and other times they just don't want to cut the wood. A good sharp HSS tool always cuts wood.
 
John,
The hunter tool observation clearly means I did not see the difference in tools. I have a hunter #3 and I just assumed it was the same as the Easy Wood Tools and so I have not touched that tool at all. I bought it on clearance a few years ago but after my Easy Wood Tool experiences I wasn't much interested in it.


I'm new to the bowl turning side of the lathe. I mostly turned pens and legs for stools that I make. I really am more familiar with a draw knife, shave horse, and hatchet.

I'm going to go to the hunter site and do some reading.
 
Roy The Hunter #3 is similar to the #4 or #5 in how they cut. Mike has my videos on his site. If you use that tool as a bevel rubbing tool you will be amazed at the quality of cut. I use the #4 and #5 to do box interiors and the bottoms of steep sided bowls. It's the best tool on the market for that purpose. Here is my video on using the #4.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfp2kvhH6Mo&t=13s
 
John, and Gerald, you don't need Picasa or Photoshop to manipulate pictures on a Window computer. Just use the PrtScr key to capture the screen image to the "clipboard." Open PCPaint and Paste from the clipboard. Move parts around, add elements or text, and SaveAs a whatever filename.

BTW, how do you sharpen EZ tools?
 

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john lucas said:
Roy The Hunter #3 is similar to the #4 or #5 in how they cut. Mike has my videos on his site. If you use that tool as a bevel rubbing tool you will be amazed at the quality of cut. I use the #4 and #5 to do box interiors and the bottoms of steep sided bowls. It's the best tool on the market for that purpose. Here is my video on using the #4.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfp2kvhH6Mo&t=13s
Click to expand...
@john lucas A club member made me 2 home made tools, a copy of these Hunter tools. Bought the carbides from Azcarbide.com at half price than Mike Hunter's web site. I'm familiar with these cutters, I use the Jamieson system with the 6mm carbide. I quickly came to the same conclusion that I prefer my bowl gouge to do 95% of it, the use the 6 or 8 mm to do the finishing. Amazing clean cuts on Koa. Did have a nasty catch the other day, when I flicked it I had it straight for a split second... Made some nice Koa handles for both... They are great for the inside of small boxes... Nothing beats the skew on the outside, easier to get a smooth surface...
 
Joe Greiner said:
John, and Gerald, you don't need Picasa or Photoshop to manipulate pictures on a Window computer. Just use the PrtScr key to capture the screen image to the "clipboard." Open PCPaint and Paste from the clipboard. Move parts around, add elements or text, and SaveAs a whatever filename.

BTW, how do you sharpen EZ tools?
Click to expand...
If you are an Apple guy, like me, you can use picture preview to add words, I use Pixelmator...
 
Joe Greiner said:
John, and Gerald, you don't need Picasa or Photoshop to manipulate pictures on a Window computer. Just use the PrtScr key to capture the screen image to the "clipboard." Open PCPaint and Paste from the clipboard. Move parts around, add elements or text, and SaveAs a whatever filename.

BTW, how do you sharpen EZ tools?
Click to expand...

I don't think that all versions of Windows has PCPaint. I have the OEM version of Windows 7 Professional and it's not on mine. I always build my own systems to fit my needs so I don't get the system builders branded versions of Windows with all of the extra stuff that I don't need or want. I don't know if PCPaint comes with the retail version, but it might. I'm too cheap to get the retail version.

I'm also curious about sharpening the EZ carbide scrapers. I have tried using 600 grit diamond "stones" with water and the results seemed to not be worth the effort.
 
John,
Watched the video. It's abundantly clear that I had no idea how to use the Hunter tool. I used it like a Easy Wood Tool and went straight in. I also was trying it on a spindle.

I'm going to give that tool another run. I have no shortage of wood to practice on.

Thank you for taking the time to do that video.
 
Joe Greiner said:
John, and Gerald, you don't need Picasa or Photoshop to manipulate pictures on a Window computer. Just use the PrtScr key to capture the screen image to the "clipboard." Open PCPaint and Paste from the clipboard. Move parts around, add elements or text, and SaveAs a whatever filename.

BTW, how do you sharpen EZ tools?
Click to expand...
Joe the advantage I see with Picasa is you can rotate the wheel on mouse after clicking the text and change sized and orientation. Not too good with screen grab or would show that.

Bill Boehme said:
I don't think that all versions of Windows has PCPaint. I have the OEM version of Windows 7 Professional and it's not on mine. I always build my own systems to fit my needs so I don't get the system builders branded versions of Windows with all of the extra stuff that I don't need or want. I don't know if PCPaint comes with the retail version, but it might. I'm too cheap to get the retail version.

I'm also curious about sharpening the EZ carbide scrapers. I have tried using 600 grit diamond "stones" with water and the results seemed to not be worth the effort.
Click to expand...
Bill not sure about PC Paint but paint is in win 10 under windows accessories
 
Gerald Lawrence said:
Joe the advantage I see with Picasa is you can rotate the wheel on mouse after clicking the text and change sized and orientation. Not too good with screen grab or would show that.


Bill not sure about PC Paint but paint is in win 10 under windows accessories
Click to expand...

Well, Duh is me! I looked under Accessories and there it was, a little program called Paint. I played around with it and while it's not Photoshop, it totally satisfactory for many purposes.
 
Bill Boehme said:
I don't think that all versions of Windows has PCPaint. I have the OEM version of Windows 7 Professional and it's not on mine. I always build my own systems to fit my needs so I don't get the system builders branded versions of Windows with all of the extra stuff that I don't need or want. I don't know if PCPaint comes with the retail version, but it might. I'm too cheap to get the retail version.

I'm also curious about sharpening the EZ carbide scrapers. I have tried using 600 grit diamond "stones" with water and the results seemed to not be worth the effort.
Click to expand...
Do you mean AZ Carbide? Thats where I got a few, very good quality, half the price...
 
Bill I found that I had to start sharpening the EZ carbide cutters with the 270 grit paddle. I think that's the purple one. Apparently I had dulled them too much to get an edge with the 600 grit. ONce I got what felt like a keen edge I was able to polish it with the 600. Normally I sharpen things until I can feel a burr on top. I never did raise a burr on the carbide cutter but I looked at it with a 10 power magnifier and could see that there wasn't a flat dull area. After I used the 600 grit paddle I touched up the top surface just to see even though there didn't seem to be a burr raised.
 
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