The ToolPost ( http://www.toolpost.co.uk/) is proud to add Hunter Tools to its range of top quality woodturning tools. These hollowing tools, developed by carbide tip technology expert, Mike Hunter, have proven to be the most successful of their genre and are now in the hands of some of the most respected wood turners around the world.

Most woodworkers are by now familiar with the use of tungsten carbide, a very durable ceramic material, which extends the life of cutting edges and is commonly seen in router cutters and masonry drills.  In engineering these properties are used to permit the machining of a wide range of materials using the same tooling, generally through the use of disposable tool tips. By incorporating a tungsten carbide cutting tip, the high wear resistance shown by the material can be exploited, with the tip usually being capable of being rotated to alternative cutting positions to equalize wear before the dulled tip is eventually thrown away. In the case of the Hunter Tool tips, Mike Hunter stated, of cutting edge longevity, "100 times your expectations with high quality High Speed Steel tools".  Hence there is never any need to sharpen a carbide tipped tool – and equally, little chance that the non-specialist could undertake this task without considerable investment.

One shortcoming of tungsten carbide is that it does not normally produce as keen an edge as a high speed steel tool or a carbon steel example.  Unfortunately, in woodworking the absolute sharpness of the cutting edge is of vital importance in order to create a clean cut surface at both the macro and micro level.  Hence, most carbide tipped woodturning tools have shown effectiveness as roughing tools, but require that the work be cleaned off subsequently using conventional tools.  The sub-surface damage caused by most of the carbide tipped tools used in wood turning is significant.  This tendency to overly aggressive cutting is exacerbated by the use in such tools of commonly available tool tips designed for engineering applications which generally have too great a clearance angle to allow supported cutting.

The Hunter tools overcome these limitations thanks to the extensive experience of the company's founder, who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of available cutters and cutter technologies.  The Hunter tools feature cutters that are diamond finished to create a cutting edge which rivals that obtainable with HSS tools, they have a profile which gives a fully supported (bevel-rubbing) cut, they afford full flexibility in shear cutting angle and they are fully seated both externally and by the use of a fitted mounting screw so that all possibilities of vibration and tip movement are eliminated.  In short, these are the Rolls-Royce of carbide tipped woodturning tools.

Given that the proof of the pudding is said to be in the eating, it is significant that Jimmy Clewes, widely acknowledged to be one of the most able and creative woodturners in the world, has been so impressed with the Hunter tooling approach that he has worked with the company to create a hollowing tool that bears his name and which is now also available from The ToolPost.

Whether you are making huge hollow forms or tiny boxes, taking whisper-thin shavings or great handfuls of timber, working precious timbers or the toughest, dirtiest, most difficult types, there's a Hunter tool that will allow you to create your masterpiece without breaking the bank or the tool tip!

If there ever was a tip worth taking, it has to be the Hunter Tool tip!

This is just one of a number of new additions to the range of woodturning and woodcarving tools and equipment available at The ToolPost. View the entire range at http://www.toolpost.co.uk/.