Woodturning Chisel Sets: Should Beginners Buy Them or Avoid Them?
- David Condon
- Jan 30, 2023
- 10 min read
Updated: Jun 5
Starting out in woodturning is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. One of the first decisions you’ll face is what tools to buy, and woodturning chisel sets often seem like the easiest option.
At first glance, they look like great value. A full set of tools in a box, ready to go. But in reality, they are one of the most common early buying mistakes I see beginners make.
OP Note: I originally wrote this in 2023, and I revisit it every six months or so to make sure it’s still relevant. The same points still apply in 2026, with a few new updates based on what I continue to see in the workshop.
Are Woodturning Chisel Sets Worth Buying?
Short answer: Usually no.
Most box sets include tools beginners rarely use. In my experience teaching woodturning, students typically use only two or three tools from the set, while the rest stay in the box.
It’s usually better value to buy a small number of good tools individually.
Why I Warn Students About Chisel Box Sets
This is based on what I see regularly when teaching students. They arrive with all sorts of tools, some from well-known brands and some that really shouldn’t be anywhere near a lathe.
Most major brands offer chisel sets, and alongside those you’ll find cheaper mass-produced versions with lower-quality handles, lighter tools and steel that may not hold an edge well. I’m not going to call out specific companies, but there is a clear pattern across many of these sets.
Even when the steel is decent, the tools included are often not the ones beginners actually need. The profiles can be awkward, and some of the tools are lighter or narrower than I would like for general-purpose turning.
A beginner may look at a box of six or eight tools and think they are well covered. In reality, they may end up using only a spindle roughing gouge, a spindle gouge and a parting tool, while the rest sit unused.
It is also worth remembering that new woodturning tools usually arrive with a factory grind, not a properly sharpened working edge. They may look ready to use, but in most cases they still need to be sharpened and refined before they will cut properly.
Not Every Chisel Set Is Bad
I should be fair here. Not every woodturning chisel set is bad.
Some sets are better than others, and a boxed set can make a nice gift. Most woodturners, myself included, would be happy to receive tools as a present. Over time, unused tools can sometimes be reshaped, reground or repurposed into something useful in the workshop.
The problem is not always the set itself. The problem is beginners buying a set before they understand what they actually need.
That is where frustration starts. You can end up with too many tools, the wrong tools, or tools that are technically usable but not ideal for learning.
Buy Fewer Tools, But Buy Better Ones
Box sets are cheaper, and it is tempting to go for them anyway. But it is worth asking why they are cheaper.
Most decent spindle tools retail individually for a fair price, so when you see a full boxed set with six or eight tools for a very low price, something usually has to give. That may be the steel, the handle, the size, the profile, or simply the usefulness of the tools included.
My advice is simple: buy tools individually and focus on the ones you will actually use. I wrote more about my own early mistakes in Why More Tools Didn’t Make Me a Better Woodturner, where I explain why buying extra tools did not automatically improve my turning.
You do not need everything at once. Start with a few good tools, learn how to use them properly, and add more as your skills and projects develop. You will end up with a better tool kit, better results, and far less waste.
I have also put together a more complete guide called Beginner Woodturning Tools: What to Buy First and What to Avoid, where I explain the tools I would start with, the ones I would be slower to buy, and why a small number of good tools can be far more useful than a large set bought too early.
While guides like this can help, there is no substitute for proper, hands-on learning. Be sure to check out my Woodturning Tuition page to see what class options might suit you best.
What I’d Buy Instead of a Chisel Set
Instead of buying a full boxed chisel set, I usually suggest building a smaller tool kit around the tools you will actually use. The goal is not to own as many tools as possible. The goal is to have the right tools for the work you are doing.
For spindle turning, these are the types of tools I use regularly in my own workshop and often recommend as a more practical starting point than a generic boxed set.
The tools in the image above are not meant to be the only possible choices. Other brands and sizes may suit you just as well, depending on what you want to turn and how you prefer to work.
What matters is the thinking behind them. Each tool has a clear job, and each one earns its place in the rack. That is very different from buying a set where several tools may be included simply to fill the box.
For spindle turning, the six tools I use most regularly are:
● Hamlet HCT064 3/4 Inch Spindle Roughing Gouge – for turning square spindle blanks down to round. This is one of the first tools many beginners use, and a solid roughing gouge makes early spindle work far easier and more controlled.
● Hamlet HCT105 3/4 Inch Rolled Edge Skew Chisel – useful for V-cuts, cleaning end grain and finer spindle work, although I now often suggest rolled-edge skews for beginners. I now often recommend the HCT105 rolled-edge skew instead of the standard HCT101 skew shown above, as many beginners find it easier to control.
● Hamlet GL7 1/2 Inch Spindle Gouge – one of my most-used tools for shaping spindle work. It is useful for beads, coves, flowing curves and finer details, which makes it one of the main tools I reach for in the workshop. I also stock a stay sharp steel version M42GL7 which is my preference these days.
● Hamlet HCT092 3/16 Inch Diamond Parting Tool – useful for depth cuts, kerfs and parting work. The diamond shape helps reduce friction as the tool cuts deeper into the wood.
● Hamlet HCT095 3/8 Inch Parting and Beading Tool – useful for heavier reduction cuts, beads and sizing work. I use this regularly when I want to remove material quickly or establish clean reference points on spindle work.
● Hamlet HCT44GL 3/4 Inch Diamond Point Scraper – useful for forming dovetails and certain V-cuts, depending on your chuck setup. This is mainly useful for owners of Vicmarc chucks, or for anyone who specifically needs a V-cut shaping tool.
These are not the only tools that will work, and not every beginner needs all six straight away. The point is that each tool has a clear purpose. That is what I would look for when building a kit, rather than buying a boxed set where several tools may never earn their place.
What About Bowl Turning Tools?
Bowl turning needs to be treated separately from spindle turning, but some chisel sets include a very basic bowl gouge, so it is worth addressing here.
A spindle tool set will not properly cover bowl work, and a spindle roughing gouge should never be used on bowls. Bowl gouges are designed differently, and using the wrong tool for bowl turning can be dangerous as well as frustrating.
For bowl turning, I prefer solid bowl gouges with a parabolic flute because I find them easier to sharpen and maintain. I use different gouges for rough shaping, refining and finishing cuts rather than expecting one tool to do everything.
If bowls are something you want to turn, I’ve covered this properly in The 3 Bowl Gouges I Recommend to My New Students, where I explain the bowl gouges I use, why the flute shape matters, and how each tool fits into the turning process.
Carbide Tools vs Traditional Tools
I’m often asked about carbide woodturning tool sets, or individual carbide tools, especially by beginners who have seen them used in videos with fluffy shavings flying everywhere.
They can look very appealing in a short video. The cuts seem easy, the shavings look impressive, and they are often marketed as a simpler option than traditional gouges and chisels. But for beginners, I still think traditional tools are the better place to start.
Traditional tools work with bevel support, which gives far more control and, in my experience, a better finish straight off the tool. Carbide tools can have their place, but they are not the shortcut many beginners hope they will be.
I’ll be covering this in more detail in a separate future post on Carbide Tools vs Traditional Woodturning Tools, where I explain why I still prefer traditional tools for teaching beginners.
Buying Second-Hand Woodturning Tools
Buying second-hand tools can be a good way to save money, but it can also lead beginners into trouble. Some used tools are excellent value. Others may be worn down, badly sharpened, unsafe, or simply unsuitable for the work you want to do.
This is especially true with job lots and mixed tool bundles, where you may be buying someone else’s unused or unwanted tools without knowing why they were left behind.
I’ve written a separate post on Buying Second-Hand Woodturning Tools in Ireland, including what to check before buying used lathes, gouges, chucks and sharpening equipment. I’ve also created a Woodturning Buy & Sell Ireland page as a noticeboard for woodturners looking to buy or sell gear.
What If You’re on a Tight Budget?
I’ve had a few students with very tight budgets ask me what the absolute minimum is to get started with spindle turning. It’s a fair question, because not everyone can buy a full set of good tools straight away.
If money is tight, I would still avoid buying a cheap boxed chisel set just because it looks like better value. You may be better off starting with fewer tools and adding to them gradually as your skills improve.
For spindle turning, a small setup based around a spindle roughing gouge, a spindle gouge and a parting tool can teach you a lot. You will not do everything with three tools, but you can make a proper start and learn the basics without filling your rack with tools you may not use.
I’ve covered this more fully in 3 Essential Spindle Turning Tools for Beginners (Minimal Setup Guide), where I explain the small group of tools I would start with before adding more.
For bowl work, you will need a proper bowl gouge. Bowl turning should not be approached with spindle tools, and a spindle roughing gouge should never be used on bowls.
Further Reading: Lathe Speed Matters Too
Tools are extremely important for beginner woodturners, but using the lathe at appropriate speeds can be overlooked. Running too fast, or too slowly in the wrong situation, can make the work harder to control and may increase the risk of catches, vibration or accidents.
I wrote a separate guide explaining what speed a woodturning lathe should run, including simple RPM ranges for spindle turning, green bowls and dry bowls.
Tools and speed both matter, but they are only part of learning safely. If you would like hands-on guidance, my Woodturning Tuition page explains the class options available in my workshop in Tralee.
Takeaway
If you’ve read this post through to the end, you should have a clear idea of what tools you actually need to get started.
It can be tempting to go for cheaper options, but in most cases, you’ll end up replacing them later. I’ve seen it happen many times with students who end up buying twice.
My advice is simple, buy once and buy the right tools for the job. The difference in price between poor-quality and well-made tools is often smaller than you might think, but the difference in performance is significant.
I’ve put together a Woodturning Guides & Articles page where you can explore more posts and workshop insights in one place.
Happy Turning, maybe I will see you in my Workshop for a lesson one of these days.
Until then, Happy Shopping and Safe Turning!
David
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About the Author
I’m David Condon, a woodturner and small business owner based in Tralee, Co. Kerry. I’ve been working with wood for most of my life at this stage — 11 years as a carpenter and over a decade running my own woodturning business.
During that time, I’ve worked with Irish hardwoods, taught woodturning, and run my workshop full-time. On this site, I share the same knowledge I pass on to my students — from choosing the right wood and tools to finishing techniques that make every project shine.
I also stock a carefully chosen range of turning blanks, tools, and craft supplies that I use every day in my own work. You can explore my main website at David Condon Woodcraft.
© David Condon Woodcraft – All Rights Reserved.
More Woodturning Pages to Explore
● Hampshire Sheen - Fine Finishing products that will highlight your project pieces
● Hamlet Tools - Fantastic Woodturning Tools from a well trusted brand
● Woodcraft Hub - View my woodcraft creations for inspiration of gift buying.
● Sanding Essentials - Essential sanding products for Woodturners & Woodworkers.
● Woodturning Blanks - A fine range of Hardwood Spindle Blanks & a few Bowl Blanks too!
● Woodturning Pen Blanks - A huge assortment of Acrylic & Irish Hardwood Pen Blanks.
● Crafter's Haven – A vast range of craft supplies for crafters and gift givers!
Original content © David Condon Woodcraft — Written by David Condon. Please credit and link if shared.
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