Robust Lathe Review - More Woodturning

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Testing the Pinnacle © Cryogenic ToolsMade by Crown Tools for Woodcraftby Fred HolderI recently had the opportunityto try out the Pinnacle© CryogenicPen Turner’s Set and the Pinnacle©Cryogenic 5 Piece Miniature Setmade by Crown Tools exclusivelyfor Woodcraft. (See the Woodcraftadvertisement in the January 2010issue, Page 25.)This was the first of the CryogenicTreated tools that I’ve had aopportunity to use. For those notfamiliar with this form of heat treatment,I am including informationfrom the information sheet sent withthe tools.Cryogenic TreatmentIt has long been understood thatby subjecting metal tools to elevatedtemperatures and then rapidly coolingthem, the properties of the metalcan be altered. This happens becausethe crystal structure of the metal isaltered to change the way the metalreacts when in use.The two main crystals in toolingsteel are the larger and softer austeniteand the smaller, more stablemartensite. Through heat treatment,the austenite is transformed to martensiteto produce steel with goodwear characteristics and an amountof ductile properties.When combined with a goodquality heat treatment, the cryogenicprocess greatly enhancesthe austenic transformation. Also,at these extreme temperatures of-301degrees Farenheit (-185 degreesCentegrade), fine ‘eta’ carbodes areformed within the carbon structure.Growing very slowly and only atPage 22 More Woodturning February 2010Figures 1 and 2 show the two sets of tools. The pen turners set ison the left. The set on the right is designed for turning very smallpieces on mini-lathes, etc.these very low temperatures, ‘eta’carbides are extremely small andact as a ‘filler’ between the othercrystals in the metal.The combined effect of thecryogenic processing is to producea refined crystal structure in yourhand tools that will give a lifetimeof service by producing a blade thatwill retain its edge longer and givea superior ‘feel’ in use.The Tools in UseAll of this sounds bit strange,but Crown Tools claims the tooledge on these tools will last threetimes longer than normal HSS tools.I found that they held an edge verywell on my trials, but I wasn’t comparingthem to regular HSS tools.I began my testing with the penturners set of three tools: a gouge, aparting tool, and an oval skew. Myfirst project was a pen made usinga Bic Pen Insert. The blank hadalready been drilled for an IWCSmeeting we hosted last summer andwe encouraged people to try theirhand at turning a pen. Since therehad been three of us drilling theseblanks, I sort of held my breathconcerning whether the hole wasdead center or not. Apparently, itwas since I didn’t have a hole in theside of the pen.I turned this pen completelywith the oval skew from the set,including the parting off. This littletool performed supburbly, but itdid have to be sharpened before
Figure 3. The pen has been completely turned and is ready to beparted off at the headstock end.Figure 4. Parting off the finish turned pen with the oval skew chisel.Figure 5. The finished pen with the Bic Insert fitted into the wood.The hole had been drilled 9/64” and had to be enlarged to 5/32” toallow the shoulder of the insert to fit into the wood.use. In fact all of the tools had to besharpened before they were useable.After hand sanding the little bumpleft after parting off, I applied agenerous coating of Kerf’s WoodCreme, a wax that I use on most ofmy small pieces. The finished penis shown in Figure 5.Figure 6 shows the little bowlthat was turned with the gouge. Theshape of this gouge makes a fairlydecent small bowl gouge. Since Ihad to sharpen it, I shaped the cuttingend as close to the Ellsworthgrind as I could do freehand. It cutbeautifully on both the outside andthe inside. The tool was still cuttingas well when I finished the bowl asit was when I started. I consider thisan indication of unusual edge holdingcapability.I did try the parting tool and itperformed very well, something thatmost parting tools do when they aresharp and this one did need sharpening.In fact, almost all new tools onthe market require sharpening beforeuse. This is one of the problemthat beginners often encounter. Theyexpect that new tool the just boughtto be sharp and ready to use. Unfortunately,that is seldom the case.Most manufacturers grind the tool toshape, but do not put an extremelysharp edge on the tools.My next test was of the Pinnacle©Cryogenic 5 Piece MiniatureSet. This is a little beauty ofminiature turning tools. These toolsare designed for turning miniaturepieces like I used to turn when I wasdoing craft shows. It makes a nicedemonstration to turn a miniaturegoblet while potential customersstand and watch the turning progress.[Continued on Page 24.]More Woodturning February 2010 Page 23
Page 1 and 2: Volume XV, Number 02 February 2010
Page 3 and 4: ContentsRobust Lathe Review........
Page 5 and 6: turning on it for almost 2 years no
Page 7 and 8: Introducing: by Robust ToolsStanda
Page 9 and 10: the depth to which they can be used
Page 11 and 12: Mini-O-Bar and Maxi-O-BarNewsE-mail
Page 13 and 14: Pen Turner’s Corner Continuedfrom
Page 15 and 16: was about $25.00. Figure 2 showsthe
Page 17 and 18: chuck and had to wait what seemedli
Page 19 and 20: sculpture and a Southeastern Artist
Page 21: that I would say that it would bea
Page 25 and 26: MAKING A BABY RATTLE — 18th Centu
Page 27 and 28: find them more attractive if theyar
Page 29 and 30: Testing andCertification of LeadCon
Page 31 and 32: with a Forstner drill to begin thed
Page 33 and 34: Editor’s Books for SaleBooks Writ
Page 35 and 36: Tormek AnnouncesT-7 UpgradesThe thr
Page 37 and 38: as on a fulcrum, and gives to the t
Page 39 and 40: Tilt-A-Matic installs in minutes-ju

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