This is a tool question?

[Christopher Martin]

Recently picked up a 1/2" henry taylor kryo detail gouge and also the kryo parting tool... needless to say the tools look great but for me the fit was terrible handles sizes are just to small and handles are like 2 feet long actly 17 1/4" for the detail gouge and 15 " for the parting tool. These handles are like 6'' too long... I want something with a 12- 14 inch handle closer to the 12" if I can find it, also want it in a kryo line steel tool and before I contact supplier I was looking for Crown pro pm 1/2 detail gouge and can't find it only thing I can find is 5/8 did it get replaced? Or of you have another tool line you'd recommand let me know.

I could rehandle them but I don't want to do that... ok thanks

 

[Odie]

Christopher......

There is another option:

I hear you, and have felt the same way for years. Many handles are just too long because they sell what the market determines.......and, since most of the buyers are new to turning, those sales generally determine what is readily available.

Agreed that around 12-14" is the most versatile length, and here is a photo of some cut down Henry Taylor gouges that I've shortened. I shortened these without removing the original handle. The gouge shaft was held in a Stronghold chuck and extended down into the hollow spindle. The original handle was secured by a revolving center in the tail stock. I simply turned my own handle shape to the old handle, and parted away the excess.The original length tool is on the top of the photo. I believe these are all about 14" (I think), and since I originally did this, I've cut some of them down further.

edit: I measured one of these in the photo, and they are 13 1/2" long......

I've also cut down a few other tool handles by simply sawing off a chunk, and using the original shape.

ko

 

[Bill Boehme]

Just call Craft Supplies and ask what is available in Henry Taylor Kryo tools or look at the Henry Taylor website.

Handles are what they are and each manufacturer wants to have a design that distinguishes them from other brands and supposedly "feels" better. As far as I am concerned, I could care less about the handle shape, weight, or length -- within reason. I have a couple turning tools with handles that are about the same length as a screwdriver handle and a couple EWT Pro size tools with the funny double back end. Those would represent the upper and lower limits on length for for anything other than deep hollowing. I have made some wooden handles and I have tools of several brands that came with handles. I have also made a metal handle covered with rubber and clear vinyl hose as well as a couple "store bought" plastic covered metal handles. I haven't seen any particular reason to prefer one over another.

 

[Christopher Martin]

Christopher......

There is another option:

I hear you, and have felt the same way for years. Many handles are just too long because they sell what the market determines.......and, since most of the buyers are new to turning, those sales generally determine what is readily available.

Agreed that around 12-14" is the most versatile length, and here is a photo of some cut down Henry Taylor gouges that I've shortened. I shortened these without removing the original handle. The gouge shaft was held in a Stronghold chuck and extended down into the hollow spindle. The original handle was secured by a revolving center in the tail stock. I simply turned my own handle shape to the old handle, and parted away the excess.The original length tool is on the top of the photo. I believe these are all about 14" (I think), and since I originally did this, I've cut some of them down further.

I've also cut down a few other tool handles by simply sawing off a chunk, and using the original shape.

ko

They look alot better But for me I would have to totally rehandle them cause the thin part turned out of the handle is just to thin in the upper part of the tool I have rhumitod arthritis and also have large hands so I like a handle of the pinnacle line i believe crown pro- pm has the same size turned handles if i'm not mistaken. I don't have a store near by so I do alot of online ordering and is not the same has visiting a store... Let me clareify I do have a store but its a 1.5 hr drive one way... That can be a long hard day for me.

 

[Bill Dalton]

I agree on tool handles, they should be what feels best for the user. I prefer the fibre reenforced PVC handles like the Oneway, but I make my own do to length and diameter weight. Do what feels right and gives you the most feedback from the wood.

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

 

[Odie]

They look alot better But for me I would have to totally rehandle them cause the thin part turned out of the handle is just to thin in the upper part of the tool I have rhumitod arthritis and also have large hands so I like a handle of the pinnacle line i believe crown pro- pm has the same size turned handles if i'm not mistaken. I don't have a store near by so I do alot of online ordering and is not the same has visiting a store... Let me clareify I do have a store but its a 1.5 hr drive one way... That can be a long hard day for me.

Good enough, Chris.....

Our needs will seldom be the same......How I dealt with the problem was just a suggestion that represents another option you, or others, might have wanted to consider.

I always shop online, for the same reasons you do. Sometimes I send things back, too! It's a bit of a hassle, but the 3hr round trip is definitely worse! (For me, it would be more like a 6hr round trip!)

ko

 

[Christopher Martin]

Good enough, Chris.....

Our needs will seldom be the same......How I dealt with the problem was just a suggestion that represents another option you, or others, might have wanted to consider.

I always shop online, for the same reasons you do. Sometimes I send things back, too! It's a bit of a hassle, but the 3hr round trip is definitely worse! (For me, it would be more like a 6hr round trip!)

ko

OK so I'm not the only one then ... I was feeling like a was " special" or something...😎

I do appreciate all your thoughts and, helpful commants.

 

[hockenbery]

You can always knock the handle off an old tool and put it on the new one.

I can usually get away without using any glue and the handles fit nicely for the life of the tool by hitting the end of the tool on the floor or a sturdy bench.

If the tool ever gets loose a couple of drops of thick CA will keep it in place and the CA will break when you want to put the handle on another tool.

I like the bowl gouges with long handles to hold against my hip.

The spindle tools I want with short handles to pass in front of my body.

 

[john lucas]

Yea everybody probably needs tools of different lengths and sizes. After all we are all different. As Al said it's a simple matter to knock the old tool out of the handle and make a new handle. That's the great thing about woodturning. You can do that. Try making a custom handle for a jig saw or electric drill. Heck it's hard enough just to make a wooden one for a hand saw. Turning handles however are a piece of cake. I probably have a handout or article somewhere on how to make a tool handle if you want it.

 

[Dean Center]

Here's another approach. If the diameter needs to be larger, you could wrap the existing handle with bike handlebar tape (cork or synthetic foam) or tennis racquet grip material. You could also do something like the metal handle guys and slide on a foam sleeve, such as found on a spinning rod grip. EVA 'tubes' are available from rod building suppliers, Mudhole being the biggest (http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/EVA-Grips/EVA-Foam-Rear-Grips-Straight) Applying them is easier than you might think, as the foam stretches and compressions considerably. Mudhole also carries cork tape.

Any of these options would produce a result similar to the various utensils produced for people with RA. You might also ask your local OT if she has some other material or suggestion.

If one of those approaches would work for you, then the length issue could be solved as Odie suggested. Also, if you like the idea of the EVA tubing, while you've got the handle on your lathe, you could remove some of the contour to make it easier to fit the grip.

Good luck and keep turning!

 

[Edward Weber]

Personally, I try to buy un-handled tools as much as possible, if I don't have that option, I will re-handle the tool.
Tool handles are a very personal thing, no two people usually like the same thing. I find most handles too short and too small in diameter. I prefer the 17"-18" range for all my tools, That fits with my body size and give me the control I desire. Some people put shorter handles on smaller diameter gouges, (I don't get it). Handle diameter is very important also, if it is too small, you will most likely fatigue more quickly and/or experience cramping due to having to grip too much.

 

[KellyDunn]

Chris, If you have a handle that fits your hand just do as has been suggested and either make one or wrap material to build up. I have so many old handles its no big deal to pop off a long handle and put on a shorter one. And as has been said its easy to make a handle totally custom to your hand and length. I like really long handles on bowl and roughing gouges. But 1/4 inch tools I like really short handles for flexibility. If you make your own you can take a copper pipe joiner and cut it in two for the ferrule or just wrap the end with with strong string and soak it with ca. A friend up the street made me a really long handle for my P&N roughing gouge and did that. Been ten years and no problems. Your problem is easy to fix.