Ashley Iles woodturning tools
The Brailsford Set
This set consists of the following tools:
The 'All Rounder'
10 mm. (3/8 in.) diameter - This tool embodies a new concept. It has been developed,
after lengthy testing, from an original idea of Martin Pidgen's. Made from HSS it
has a carefully designed flute that enables it to be used as a multi-purpose tool:
it can be used for roughing out, for finished spindle work, and (as a bowl gouge)
for smaller faceplate work. This tool may be used to complement the others in the
set; or, for the beginner with a small lathe, it can be used to reduce the initial
expenditure by the purchase of one tool instead of three.
Roughing out gouge
13 mm. (1/2 in.) diameter - This tool, designed by Reg Sherwin, is made from 16 mm.
(5/8 in.) HSS round bar. The half-round flute produces a deep but narrow shaving.
Because the full diameter of the bar is extended into the handle there is minimum
vibration even when turning down 4 in. or 5 in. square timber and, because it is
relatively slim, it can get into places where other roughing gouges are too big.
Skew chisel
30 mm. (1 ¼ in.) diameter - This is made in high quality carbon steel which produces
a superb edge that is easy to sharpen and, when it is necessary modify the shape,
is easy to regrind. Although it is made of carbon steel this tool will have a long
life because it is used only for light finishing work and does not have to be sharpened
often. When making the planing cut the generous width of the tool makes it safer
to use.
Spindle gouge
6 mm. (1/4 in.) diameter - This HSS tool can be used for both large and small diameter
spindle work. The diameter of the bar has been increased so that it is slightly thicker
than normal ¼ in. gouges; this provides greater strength when overhanging the tool
rest to reach, for example, the inside of egg cups or goblets.
Parting tool
3 mm. (1/8 in.) diameter - This carbon steel tool will part-off with less resistance
and wastage than wider tools. Its parallel sides make it a more versatile tool than
its over specialised cousins. Ground at the same angle as a skew it can be used in
areas where there is not room for a wider tool.
Round nose scraper
19 mm. (3/4 in.) diameter - This tool is made from carbon steel that readily provides
a good burr for scraping inside hollow items. Because it is relatively narrow it
can enter small openings. The thickness has been increased to minimise the vibration
that might be experienced when reaching over the tool rest.
