Five Under Appreciated Turning Tools 

I made a branding iron from a hex bolt carved with a rotary tool that I use to "sign" my work.

I agree about the tool rest. I have a Laguna lathe and it came with a 12" tool rest with the hardened steel bar at the top. For the smaller projects I got a Robust 6" rest. Mine is the taller profile but the hardened steel bar is just the best.

“heavy duty goose-neck action” is now a coined phrase, credit Shawn Graham 😂 love it man, nice work

Have really enjoyed this latest series on tools 😊

Thank you, I am just beginning my wood turning journey and there is much to learn. I appreciate the comment about the getting comfortable when you are turning, that holds true no matter what you are doing, the chances are it will be more enjoyable if you take the time to do something about it, I had never gave it much thought to change up the tool rest for one that better works for you, cudo's

Before watching I wanna remind you what you do is always worth the effort!! I recommend you to any new turner n tell folks I know that see my work that you've taught me EVERYTHING i know on the lathe

Shawn, always appreciate you sharing. I seem to learn something every time. This time it was hook knives and gators. Gotta get me some! Thank you!

Another wonderful video Shawn. Instead of a welding cap, I actually wear a Dew Rag. You can get them in multiple designs and colors as well. Also, the best light I have found is called The Sun Light.

Well you have just depleted my wallet again with that spoon carving knife! You might do a video on when a person has TOO many tools. I am especially vulnerable to chucks and jaws. As well as finishes and turning tools themselves. Thanks again!

Thank you. It is Worth The Effort!

glad you're getting into the wind, I'm 68 and neuropathy in feet and legs up to knees has taken me off my Pan and me out of the wind. I've taken all the proceeds and put into the Harvey (lol) T60 their Alpha bandsaw. Off on me adventure here. Thanks for your posts

I've got to get some of those ankle gators. It's a major point of contention for my wife and I. I'm not a turner but a carver and it's a major problem.

Outstanding video. A lot of good tips. The same magnetic shop light can go between my band saw drill press and lathe. Will be seriously looking at the welding caps so I don't keep getting my baseball caps clogged up. Thanks!

Thank you, really like the idea of ankle gaiters( I know my wife will too), and the use of the hook tool. I can see how that is far superior to a straight chisel( gouging wood or hand).

I like the series that you're doing. I don't agree with everything, but it's "worth the effort". 😁 - Chris

I've got my great grandfather's surgeons light . Lol and even it has it's drawbacks...

I get mummies telling me I have sawdust in my hair on the school run 😂

Oh oh, I got one, I've got an underappreciated wood turning tool! Or maybe, it's just me. A lathe! No?! Oh okay, I guess not!? 😂 I just haven't had a chance to pick one up yet! But I will at some point!

Good series of videos ... of course, we don't all have the same thoughts and ideas. As far as the light - I did see one turner that used a couple of individual LED lights mounted to the tool rest that really lit up the inside of her turnings. I have LED lights hanging right over my lathe and a cordless LED work light that I can shine into the work. My lathe came with a tool rest that has the stainless rod on the work edge. I would like a longer tool rest and a curved one for inside bowls ... if only they didn't cost so much 😞 I don't have enough hair for it to get caught in my positive-air shield and, what I do have, is not that long. My experience with a hook knife has been trimming horse hoofs

Started turning in January and been wondering lately why I am losing hair like I did after severe Covid, was getting worried... 😅 Will be wearing a beanie now on. The lamp section 😂❤ ... attach it to the midi lathe next to your big lathe to get rid of vibration? We are building a workshop and I wanted hanging lights everywhere, those elevator type could be great. Ikea has one with an opaque white glass bottom under the shade - not a dentist kind but very bright and not expensive, I can adjust its brightness as needed. In a past video you mentioned using a fan behind your back to blow sawdust away from you, plan to try it and might have been on this list as well? I also enjoyed the commentary on the development of the trade as a new turner I do not have that perspective at all. The discussion on tactile aspects also something I can relate to; was creating thing long needle type shapes today and doing 20 of them I recognized a steep learning curve. At first it was how to attach the sticks (very thin blanks) and problem shooting involved a pencil sharpener. Turners focus on drive center but it is the tailstock that is more often the issue for me. Got these sorted and needles done, involving a lot of sanding... Never going to make profit like that so got more confident and started investigating how to get a better finish, and it was a very tactile discovery, what it feels like when I have enough pressure to plane the fibers but no dents which required smooth transition across the tool rest. If you stop, there's a dent. It was a wonderful feeling to realize I got the touch to work with parts that are 5-2 millimeters thick, without a jig, just a tool rest and a gouge. Did the roughing with a bowl gouge and the point at which I switched to spindle gouge was getting later as I was more precise with the heavy duty bowl gouge. Essential in this development was the shift from focusing on keeping my hands steady againts the toolrest to feeling an even pressure in my fingers. This learning was my reward from hours of creating, just wanted to share!

Thanks Shawn.

good series

As a primary hand tool woodworker/turner, how about an episode on making and using scraper/scratch planes for moldings that are made from flat sheets of steel like a scraper, please.

Fortunate enough to have Moffat lights. Came close to getting a Siemens dental lamp at a state surplus store, but it came with attached dentist chair tonnage, wouldn't let me toss chair in their dumpster, and had a really funky lamp (bulb). I do also have a loading dock light from the flea market). Robust enough for the occasional stray wood chunk smack, and takes any normal regular (now led) bulb, (medium screw E26). Use do-rags, skull caps, whatever they're called, with helmets and shields. Haven't gone to robust rests. Tempting. Cool idea on the hook knife. Wondered if it was a Robin Wood and your info seems to confirm. And now I am shamed into getting out the woodburner. You describe the scenario perfectly -- "let's just get this out of here who looks at the bottom except for other woodturners the rest is just fine where's the sharpie technical pen dip pen why dig out the burner box the handpiece the tip . . ." -- my adhd at work. Noticed Brendan Stemp seems to live in gaiters. Started using them for chainsaw work and they do keep the socks clean. Always appreciated, another cool video.

Been using the welding cap for a while now -- works great as you say. One thing I'd add -- I don't like getting those shavings in my shirt or pants pockets for the same reason you stated to get the ankle gators. But turning smocks are really expensive and I'm frugal. A cloth welding jacket works as a turning smock just as well (make sure you are able to roll back the sleeves -- don't do anything you are uncomfortable with) and costs way less, or, as in my case, I already had one.

I look over and see wood chips in my bed! I’m also constantly having pockets full of sawdust!

Lol, I just turn in flip flops that I leave in the shop. Works great... and having all your toes is overrated.

The dentists style lamp is a great idea.

With these recent videos you're pulling me out of the lurker section and into the comment section, aren't you? Love my do rag. Oh, the dust in my hair it prevents. That, and eases the face shield headband mark on my forehead. I don't have angle/sock covers, but I think they're in order. Lighting for me is easy as I come from a photography background. My choices are a few general overhead lights the two hard (as opposed to soft diffused light) work lights on hard angles just high and to opposite sides of my bench. The shadows tell you exactly when you're about to contact the piece. Bonus if the two side lights are different colours. A pure white LED and warm white one will give your shadows a different tint, further informing you where you edge and workpiece are at. I supplement with a third work light on a flex arm, just like yours, but with 1/4" 20 threads at the end for easy attachment of almost anything. Hardened rest was a game changer. Those are my thoughts on a very informative video.

What type of Pyrograph is that, recommendations head lamps can be useful, number 2 or 3 Gouge chisel is great for nub removal, & that NON slip matting folded up to support & prevent marking to hold work to finish it

Damn you're burning it up lately

Where is the light link?

Good ☹🇬🇧

A slipstone is the most under appreciated/used tool today because nobody hones a tool and actually sharpens it. A honed edge is a sharp edge, a ground edge is not. A honed edge stays sharp longer and cuts better. Get a tear drop style in the old school india stone or a diamond Jerry Glaser style. It will change your turning.

Turning with carbide is so unsatisfying.

I guess I'm a hack because I've signed most of everything I've made with A Sharpie lol

Dorky hipster cyclist hats work too.

I really like your LED light. You might have mentioned to get 6500K or at least 6000K. I love LED lights throughout my home. Wish I could put one in the oven. I would prefer using a laser engraver to sign the piece. My writing sux Looking forward to the next video.