Comments on: ‘Easy Wood Tools’ Do Make Turning Easier

By: Clay Johnson

Clay Johnson — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:18:34 +0000

We started selling Easy Wood Tools 2 years ago after trying them and testing them first for a month or so. I was very impresses with Craig’s business ethics and being a stickler on quality really encouraged me to look further into these tools. We have found that these cutters have to be the sharpest cutters available on the market. Just amazing!!! They have became the best selling tool in our store.

Craig and Donna my "hats off" to you both for taking the risk, and now a days it is a big risk, to leave a cushy job with a pay check to follow your dream.

Clay Johnson
CHOICE WOODS

By: Roger H Phebey

Roger H Phebey — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 23:06:41 +0000

I specialize in selling US tools into the UK and European marketplace and I picked up the Easy Wood Tool line nearly 12 months ago.

During that time sales have grown steadily and in all my years of selling (approaching 40) I have never had another product line that has generated so much super positive feed back. I have been simply astounded and I must thank the guys at Craft Supplies in Utah for showng them on their websites because that is where I first saw them.

I had a call from one gentleman in the UK who told me that I should not be selling these tools as they were dangerous. So I asked him why and his reply was JUST BECAUSE THEY ACTUAL WORKED AND DID WHAT THEY PROMISED.

I also received an interesting comment from a UK professional turner who when he saw me walk into the club one evening with these new tools commented "here we go more bl__dy scrapers". Later on in the evening he changed his attitude completely and informed me that he had been trying to teach a pupil that day who would never turn with standard gouges, he apparently did not have the aptitude, but the Easy Wood Tools would have got him turning.

I can only sing the praises of Craig, Donna and their great tools!

By: stonekarma

stonekarma — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:40:26 +0000

My Dad started out with the Easy Rougher. It really is amazing how quickly you can get something roughed out and ready to turn. It’s just a much better way to get things done.

By: Brian Effinger

Brian Effinger — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:50:02 +0000

Good article, Chris. I’m a proud owner of three of their tools, and love them (especially the large rougher).

One thing you didn’t touch on, and I’d like to mention, is their customer service. It is second to none. I’ve communicated with Donna a few times now, via email, and she is pleasant, informative, and she will go out of her way to help. If something is wrong, she will work with you to make it right, no matter what it takes.

EWT are great, but it is the customer service that will make me come back to them again and again.

Brian

By: Joe Saylor

Joe Saylor — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:05:39 +0000

I bought the easy wood tool over a year ago, maybe I am not doing something right, but it dulls way too fast.. I was not able to rough out one bowl before it became so dull that it was kicking me back.. Sure wish I knew what is going on with it.. Maybe I got a bit that was not hard enough to hold the edge..
Joe Saylor

By: Mike Kratky

Mike Kratky — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:59:15 +0000

1st met Craig at the North Carolina Woodturners Symosium
a couple of years ago, already had the Easy Rougher indorsed by David Marks and Craig has been a friend ever since.

Like any serious woodturner when a new innovative tool is introduced I had to scrutinize it and now I’m a believer. Easy Wood Tools obviously are not the only turning tools in my arsnel, but are now my go to tools for holowing, end grain turning, and when I want that near sand paper free finish. The major key is just not their quality and engineering but their continual Nth degree of sharpness.

By: David Chidester

David Chidester — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:11:28 +0000

Wow, those are pretty awesome! They’re going on my wish list! Thanks for sharing Chris!

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:27:22 +0000

I confess to being a bit of a purist myself with respect to tools but I too was very impressed at the abilities of these tools. I’ve had the opportunity to use them at several demos, including one with Craig Jackson looking over my shoulder, and though I’m relatively new to turning, was able to turn all manner of forms with incredible ease. The wood came off the lathe with very little need for further finishing and that was without half trying. I’ve also watched people struggle with traditional tools in intro classes and couldn’t help but wonder what a difference it would make to begin with these in the first place. Great job Craig.

By: Graham Hughes

Graham Hughes — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 06:41:10 +0000

It doesnt take a lot of digging to realize that turning was historically a specialty all its own. I’m convinced that historical turners never accepted or developed restricted cutting action tools (the planes to the turner’s chisels and gouges) because it slowed them down (a big deal when you’re paid per piece) and when you turn every day for ten hours a day, you get pretty good with your skew. My interest in woodworking in general is developing the manual skills involved, and so I tend to gravitate toward the historical tools; but they are maddeningly touchy. I have a carbide hollower I have to force myself not to use so I will develop skill with bowl gouges.

It’s interesting to see people developing turning tools designed to be easier to use for non savants. I’m not sure I like the easy hollower design per se, but it would be nice to see something that would make turning cylinders easier (besides a machinist’s lathe).