Wood Turning Tools, Ultra-Shear Carbide Insert Turning Tools

So, What’s New? Carbide insert tools have been around for several years, and insert tools in general have been around since at least the mid-1980s. So, what makes Ultra-Shear different? The list is long, but the three most important differences are the grade and grind of the inserts, the design of the tool shaft and the material and treatment used in making the shaft.

It All Starts at the Cutting Edge. Ultra-Shear’s development team started this project by interviewing dozens of carbide manufacturers, seeking out a partner that recognized the unique requirements of woodturning. Any carbide blend can create a long-lasting edge, but for advanced performance at the lathe, you need a truly keen edge. That requires a carbide that doesn’t just last, but also is fine-grained enough not to crumble when formed to a really sharp angle. The result of months of testing and trials is a unique nano-grain carbide matrix, polished to a mirror-finish on the cutting surface and precision ground on the bevel. They are the sharpest, longest lasting inserts on the market.

Go Beyond Just Shaping your Project. Carbide insert turning tools are typically used with the tool on the centerline of the lathe, held horizontal to the ground. Ultra-Shear tools use this approach for roughing and shaping cuts. But, Ultra-Shear goes further. After initial shaping, roll the tool right or left and you will feel the tool land on another bearing plane, 45͒ from horizontal. With the tool at this angle, the wood fibers slice cleanly, leaving a surface that needs little or no sanding. It’s a technique called shear scraping , which usually involves trying to balance your tool on a round surface or a sharp corner. Ultra-Shear’s geometry makes shear scraping a simple approach even beginners can use, instead of something that takes years to master.

High Tech Steel; Higher Tech Manufacturing. A truly sharp cutting edge needs rock solid support to give you the best results. Ultra-Shear tools feature the same ChroMoly alloy steel used in NASCAR roll cages and crankshafts. CNC machines create the unique profile, then the shafts go through a two-step hardening process that makes the shaft rigid and creates an ultra-smooth surface finish that glides easily across your tool rest and resists corrosion.

A Size and Shape for Every Turning Challenge. Ultra-Shear’s unique shaft profile is available in 3 sizes. All sizes offer 3 insert shapes. The square cutters excel at initial roughing and the shaping of outside curves (beads). The round cutters create inside curves (coves) and are your best choice for hollowing bowls. The diamond shaped detail inserts are available in full sharp (supplied standard) and a radius point. The full sharp cuts incredibly fine detail lines and produces crisp straight lines in transition areas. The radius insert is great for cutting small beads and coves and end-grain hollowing.

The full size tools have an 8" tool length (beyond handle) with a 15-3/4" handle, for a total length of 23-3/4". The mid size tools have a 4-1/2" tool length with an 11" handle for a total length of 15-1/2". The pen tools have a 3-1/4" tool length with a 9" handle for a total length of 12-1/4".

All Woodpeckers tools are manufactured in our shop located in Strongsville, Ohio U.S.A.