Woodturning Chisel Sets: Should Beginners Buy Them or Avoid Them?
- David Condon
- Jan 30, 2023
- 12 min read
Updated: Mar 27
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’re one of the most common 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 just a few new updates.
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.
Woodturning Chisel Sets
This is based on what I see every week 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 mass-produced versions with cheap handles and lower-quality steel. 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 the tools are sometimes lighter or narrower than what’s ideal for general-purpose turning.
That said, I’m not knocking them completely. A box set can make a nice gift, and most woodturners, myself included, would be happy to receive one. Over time, the tools can be reshaped or repurposed into something useful in the workshop.
Helpful Guides for Beginner Woodturners
If you’re just starting out in woodturning, the posts below might help you get the basics right before deciding what tools or sets to buy:
● Buying Your First Woodturning Lathe – What to look for and how to choose the right machine for your needs.
● Sharpening a Spindle Roughing Gouge – Why sharp tools matter and how to maintain a good edge.
● Why Do Most Woodturners Fail? – Common early mistakes and how to avoid them.
While these posts can be helpful guides, there’s 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.
Why I Warn Students About Chisel Box Sets
Most box sets come with 6 to 8 chisels for spindle turning, and sometimes a basic bowl gouge.
I regularly warn students away from buying these sets, including the ones that come bundled with some lathes. The reason is simple, you’ll typically use two or three tools, and the rest will sit in the box unused.
The tools you do use are often smaller or lighter than they should be, which makes turning more difficult and can affect the quality of your work.
In many cases, you’ll find a lighter version of a spindle roughing gouge in the set, when what you really need is something more solid and versatile like a 3/4'' gouge (such as the HCT064 I list below). I have a range of smaller and larger roughing gouges on my Hamlet Tools page if you’d like to see the differences.
Box sets are cheaper, and it’s tempting to go for them anyway. But it’s worth asking why. Most spindle tools retail in the €30 to €50 range each, so how are full sets selling for around €100 with 6 to 8 tools?
I always recommend buying tools individually. Get the right ones from the start, even if it means spending a little more over time. You’ll end up with better tools, better results, and you won’t be replacing them later.
Not all box sets are the same, and there may be decent ones out there. I haven’t used them all, so I can’t say that every set is poor. What I can say is that I use the tools I sell every day in the workshop, across a wide range of projects and wood types, so I know exactly how they perform.
Before I go any further, I should add a disclaimer here that not all Woodturning Chisel Box Sets are made the same, some companies may be able to put out less expensive products without skimping on quality. I have not seen or used every Box Set out there so I cannot say for certain that you will not find an excellent one yourself. I do know however for a fact, about the quality of the Tools I sell because I use them everyday myself on a variety of different projects and differing wood types.
Recommendations
So what do I recommend? Buy your tools individually, and focus on the ones you’ll actually use every day.
I normally advise students to start with 6 tools for spindle turning (see image below), and then add 3 more for bowl turning. That’s just 9 tools in total to get properly set up for both spindles and bowls.
This is only a starting point. Over time, you can expand your collection as your skills and projects develop.
I use Hamlet woodturning tools because they’ve proven themselves to be reliable and consistent in my own work. After trying other brands, they’ve become my go-to tools in the workshop.
The 6 tools shown below were originally priced at around €273 in total (prices may have changed since). There’s no need to buy everything at once, you can spread the cost over time.
If you’re starting from scratch, you could do a lot with just the HCT064, GL7, and HCT092 and build from there. I’ve included more details on each of these tools further down the page.
These are tools I use every day, so I know the value they offer. If you choose similar tools, you’ll be working with equipment that’s actually suited to the job, not just filling a box.
Tools for Spindle Turners
Hamlet HCT064 3/4 Inch Spindle Roughing Gouge
An extremely versatile tool that you will use every day for spindle turning only. There are smaller and larger versions, but this size works well for both large and small pieces.
If you present the tool at a 45-degree angle to the workpiece, you can achieve a very fine finish. I currently have seven of these in use between myself and my students. You can buy the Hamlet HCT064 3/4 Inch Spindle Roughing Gouge here Note: I have added a few new Roughing Gouges to the range.
Hamlet HCT101 3/4 Inch Standard Skew Chisel
The skew chisel is a tough tool to master for planing cuts and curved surfaces, and many woodturners shy away from it.
That said, it’s excellent for forming V-cuts and cleaning up end grain, so it’s well worth having. I use it regularly on pieces like hanging ornaments and ring holders.
You can buy the Hamlet HCT101 3/4 Inch Standard Skew Chisel here
Note: I’ve added a few new skew chisels to the range.
These days, I recommend the Hamlet HCT105 or HCT105R instead, as they are easier for new students to control thanks to their rolled edges.
Hamlet GL7 1/2 Inch Spindle Gouge
This is my go-to tool for all spindle work. It’s small enough to get into tight areas, yet the steel is thick enough to reduce vibration. There’s also a 3/8'' version for working in narrower spaces, which I also stock.
For those looking for a longer-lasting edge, the M42GL7 is a slightly more expensive option with improved edge retention, which can be worth it if you’re doing a lot of turning.
You can buy the Hamlet GL7 1/2 Inch Spindle Gouge here
Hamlet 3/16 Inch Diamond Parting Tool HCT092
This diamond parting tool is ideal for plunging kerfs. Its shape reduces friction as the tool cuts deeper into the wood.
At around 5mm wide, it gets into tight spaces easily, and the narrow profile means less material to remove with each cut.
You can expand your collection later with the narrower HCT090, which is particularly useful for box making and finer work. You can buy the HCT092 Diamond Parting Tool here
Hamlet 3/8 Inch Parting and Beading Tool HCT095
An ideal tool for quickly creating depth cuts in spindles. With a bit of practice, it can also be used to roll clean, consistent beads. It’s also useful for forming dovetails for square-angle chuck jaws, such as the Record Power SC3 and SC4.
I mostly use this tool for quickly reducing material on pieces like hanging ornaments, so it gets used all the time in my workshop. You can buy the Hamlet 3/8 Inch Parting and Beading Tool HCT095 here
Hamlet HCT44GL 3/4 Inch Diamond Point Scraper
I use this tool for forming dovetails on both spindle work and bowls. It’s shaped to the 77-degree angle required for my Vicmarc jaws.
If you’re using a different chuck, you can reshape the tool to suit, or use the HCT095 as an alternative. It can also be used to form rough V-cuts when needed.
This tool cuts with a raised burr and needs to be sharpened regularly to perform at its best. You can buy the Hamlet HCT44GL 3/4 Inch Diamond Point Scraper here
So that’s it for starters, six spindle turning tools that will last you for years if treated properly.
If you turn regularly, you may need to replace some of them over time as they gradually shorten with repeated sharpening.
If you're interested, you can check out my post on sharpening a spindle roughing gouge. It also covers sharpening setups and CBN wheels, which I use in my own workshop.
What about Bowl Turning?
At the time of writing, I didn’t stock bowl turning gouges, but I can share what I use when turning bowls. I’ve turned enough at this stage to know what works and what doesn’t.
I now stock a range of Hamlet bowl gouges with a parabolic flute (Masterflute shape). They are more expensive than standard profiles, but they are much easier to sharpen and maintain, which is a big advantage over time.
I originally bought the Glenn Lucas Signature Hamlet range and have stuck with it ever since. I find signature tools tend to be heavier and more solid than standard versions, and I’m happy to pay a bit more for that.
Glenn’s range is also one of the most complete available, and it’s nice to support someone I know. I don’t include product images here as my own tools are well used at this stage, but the names below will point you in the right direction if you’re searching.
I’ve chosen not to supply Glenn’s range of bowl turning tools, as I see that as a core part of his own business. I’d rather not compete in that area.
I know other shops do stock them, but this is the approach I’ve decided to take. If you’d like to buy his tools, they can be found on his website.
Hamlet GL4 – ⅝” bar ∅ bowl gouge
For rough shaping of wet or dry bowls & for refining. 16″ handle.
This gouge is profiled with a parabolic flute, which is the only flute profile you will find on any of my bowl gouges. It is far easier to sharpen than the V or U-shaped gouges on the market. This gouge will bring a bowl blank quickly to shape. It is sharpened to a 55-degree bevel angle.
Hamlet GL5 – ½” bar ∅ bowl gouge
For refining and for finishing cuts. 16″ handle.
Used for finer cuts inside and out of a bowl, sharpened to a 45-degree angle. This will achieve a better finish than the ⅝” bowl gouge (GL4), but won’t reach the bottom interior of a bowl. The ½” bowl gouge picks up where the larger tool cannot reach.
Hamlet GL6 5/8'' Bar ∅ Bottom Bowl Gouge
For finishing cuts on the interior bottom of the bowl. 16″ handle.
This tool is sharpened with one purpose only and that is the fine finishing of the bottom interior of a bowl. It gives a clean polished finished in the hands of an experienced turner.
These are fine tools for bowl turning and can be bought in Ireland, just search the titles above. Glenn Lucas sells these via his website, so have a look if you are interested.
Carbide Tools vs Traditional Tools
I get asked about carbide woodturning tools quite often, so it’s worth addressing.
For beginners, I don’t recommend them. They tend to operate further from the toolrest than traditional tools, which makes them more prone to catches, especially if you’re still learning control.
They can look great in videos, with long, flowing shavings coming off the wood, but what you don’t often see is the frequent rotation of the cutter or the maintenance involved to keep them cutting cleanly.
Traditional tools, on the other hand, work with bevel support. This is a proven method that gives you far more control and, in my experience, a much better finish straight off the tool.
Carbide tools often leave a rougher surface due to the unsupported cut, which means more sanding afterwards.
I bought a carbide tool back in 2016, used it twice, and had catches both times. I never felt comfortable with it, and it now sits on the shelf as a reminder of why I don’t recommend them to beginners.
That said, they do have their place. Once you have a better understanding of tool control and cutting mechanics, it can be worth trying one for yourself. But most turners I’ve worked with eventually move back to traditional tools for the finish and control they offer.
Lathe Speed Matters Too
No matter what chisels you choose, the speed of your lathe plays a big role in how safely and cleanly the tools will cut.
Many beginners focus on buying the right chisels but give very little thought to the RPM they are running their lathe at. Running too fast can make the work feel unstable, while running too slow can cause the wood to knock against the cutting edge.
If you’re unsure about the speeds you should be using, 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.
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
Postscript
I’ve had a few students with very tight budgets ask me what the absolute minimum is to get started. I thought it was worth adding this here, as it may help others in the same position.
From the list above, the HCT064 Spindle Roughing Gouge, GL7 Spindle Gouge and the HCT092 Diamond Parting Tool would be my starting point. These three tools will allow you to create a wide range of shapes on the lathe.
You will need to add more tools as you progress, so don’t expect to do everything with a minimal setup.
For bowl work, the HCT150A would be a solid starting option for small bowls, and it will still serve you well as you move on to larger pieces.
With these four tools, you can make a very good start with both spindle work and small bowls.
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.
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More Woodturning Pages to Explore
Hampshire Sheen - Fine Finishing products that will highlight your project pieces
Sanding Essentials - Essential sanding products for Woodturners & Woodworkers.
Woodturning Blanks - A fine range of Hardwood Spindle Blanks & a few Bowl Blanks too!
Crafter's Haven – A vast range of craft supplies for crafters and gift givers!
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