[quote author=jasonB  link=1113857710/0#4 date=1113899583]and some good quality tools will do, don't buy the cheap sets, the steel is very poor.
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One thing to bear in mind-be very careful if you buy "new" woodturning tools off of e-bay. I nearly got burnt a while ago; saw a set of chisels advertised as genuine record power HSS, even quoted photos from the record website to show what they were like; sound I thought, bid, won etc. When they arrive and open the box (genuine blue & silver record box!!) I think UH OH these are NOT genuine record tools-wrong shape handles, wrong shape roughing gouge, crap finish, no plastic edge protectors, no gold printed name on the handles, no HSS or makers name on the blades. I contact record in derbyshire. They ask for some photos. Yes they are fake. I send an e-mail to the guy (in Scotland) and tell him. OH I got them from my usual supplier, I've had no problems or complaints before. You can have a refund of COURSE. Then record say I can have a full set for half price for bringing it to their attention. Sound. Then a few minutes later another e-mail, they say We'll give you a complete full set FOC. Can you give us a few details about this seller please. Yes says I. Got the new set a few days later.
What annoyed me was the guy continued listing the same chisels and ad even after he knew they were fake. If he'd taken them off, I'd have given him the benefit of the doubt. Undermines good british toolmaking and inflates crappy foreign toolmaking. Plus its criminal, trading standards offences etc.
So be warned, cheap usually=crap, buy cheap buy twice!!

It wasn't that long ago when all turning tools were made of carbon steel and were basically scrapers.
It was an English guy who thought of using HSS and had his chisels made for him as he tried different shapes.
We can thank him for starting what is considered normal these days by creating turning gouges.

By 'not long ago' I am referring to our lifetimes which is not long when you consider how many years high carbon steel scrapers were used to turn wood.

The main pitfall of going to a woodturning suppliers is that you will spend a lot mote than you intended

It is always better to see the wood as they may be tempted to give you the bit with the least interesting figure that has been sitting on a shelf for ages.

Buying prepared blanks is very costly, find a source of off cuts locally or develope o good ear for the sound of chainsaws, most tree fellers are happy to give you a few bits to play with.

Jason

Now you know a good source of "blanks/rounds", just got to get a bit friendly with those that run the place!!, when a good piece comes in , my local "amenities centre"(posh name for council tip!!) is good enough now to let me know and they oik it out for me!!! and with an occasional "drink" their way , all is tikkity boo!! as they say!!
keep up the turnery fella's!!!