Turning Sets

About Turning Sets

Turning sets are comprehensive collections of wood turning chisels and tools designed for shaping timber on a lathe. These essential kits provide woodturners with a complete selection of cutting profiles needed to create bowls, spindles, furniture legs, and decorative wooden items. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks turning sets from trusted brands including Draper, Einhell, Faithfull, and Sealey, offering options from 5-piece starter collections to professional 8-piece sets.

Quality turning sets typically include gouges, parting tools, skew chisels, and scrapers manufactured from high-speed steel (HSS) for superior edge retention and durability. These tool collections provide excellent value for both newcomers to wood turning and experienced craftspeople looking to expand or replace their lathe tooling. MyToolShed supplies sets suitable for both hobby enthusiasts and professional woodworkers who require reliable cutting performance.

Applications

Turning sets are essential tools for various professionals and applications, including:

• Professional woodturners creating furniture components, architectural spindles, and custom woodwork
• Furniture makers producing chair legs, table legs, and decorative turned elements
• Pattern makers crafting precise wooden patterns for industrial applications
• Restoration specialists replicating period furniture components and architectural details
• DIY enthusiasts exploring wood turning as a creative hobby for bowls, pens, and decorative items
• Educational workshops teaching traditional woodworking skills and lathe techniques
• Craft businesses producing turned wooden products for retail markets

Choosing The Right Turning Sets

When selecting a turning set from MyToolShed.co.uk, consider these important factors:

Number of pieces: Starter sets with 5-6 pieces cover basic turning operations, whilst 8-piece collections offer greater versatility with additional profiles for specialised work. Assess your typical projects to determine the range needed.

Tool steel quality: High-speed steel (HSS) tools maintain sharp edges longer than carbon steel alternatives and withstand higher working temperatures. HSS construction is particularly valuable for hardwood turning and extended use.

Handle design: Comfortable, well-balanced handles reduce fatigue during prolonged turning sessions. Look for hardwood handles with secure ferrules that protect against splitting under mallet strikes.

Tool profiles included: Essential profiles include roughing gouges, spindle gouges, parting tools, and skew chisels. More comprehensive sets add bowl gouges, scrapers, and diamond-point tools for expanded capabilities.

Brand reputation: Established manufacturers like Faithfull, Draper, and Sealey provide consistent quality and appropriate geometry for effective cutting performance on the lathe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between spindle and bowl turning tools?

Spindle gouges have shallower flutes and are designed for work between centres, such as table legs. Bowl gouges feature deeper flutes and longer bevels for hollowing and shaping bowls where the grain runs perpendicular to the lathe axis. Most turning sets include spindle tools as standard.

Do turning sets come pre-sharpened?

Most turning sets arrive with a factory edge that requires honing before first use. Investing in a proper sharpening system ensures optimal cutting performance and extends tool life. Regular sharpening maintains clean cuts and reduces the physical effort required during turning.

Are turning sets suitable for beginners?

Yes, complete turning sets are ideal for beginners as they provide all the essential tool profiles needed to learn fundamental techniques at better value than purchasing individual tools separately. A 6-8 piece set covers the vast majority of typical wood turning projects.