Want a metal handle with a comfortable grip for your turning tools without the big price tag? I’ll show you how and have a bit of fun in the process! The best part is that I was able to find all of the necessary components at my local Home Depot to make 2 handles.
Interested? Here’s what you need to get going!
- Determination to save some greenbacks
- A tool for which to make the handle
- 1/2″ pipe nipple (I used 18″ and 12″ long pieces)
- A 1/2″ cap for one end of your pipe… I mean handle
- Two 1/4-20 set screws per tool 1/4-20 x 1/4, 1/4-20 x 1/2
- 3/4″ ID hose to provide grip. I used braided vinyl, but you can use whatever you like.
- Nylon spacer (This one is optional)
- 5/16 set screw (Only if you buy the spacer)
- BBs! Don’t shoot your eye out!
(Not all of the links are exactly what I used, but the discrepancies shouldn’t cause you any trouble.)
Alright, ready to make a tool handle? 1/2″ pipe is “supposed” to have a nominal ID of 5/8″. Mine did not. Apparently, the manufacturer didn’t get the memo. So, I had two options here. I could either put my piece on the wood lathe and free hand the cut or take it to my friend’s shop and borrow his metal lathe. I chose the latter. Here I’m using a boring bar to open up the ID of my pipe.
After boring the ID to just the right size, I drilled and tapped two 1/4-20 holes for my set screws. Sorry, no picture. I got too excited to finish up my new toy!
Note: Don’t be like me and tap the threaded section of your pipe. No, my drill didn’t break, but there is barely enough wall thickness for your set screw to bite into. However, just one set screw is holding my 5/8″ gouge just fine.
Now, back at the home shop I brute forced the vinyl hose onto the pipe. This kinda looks like a snake shedding in reverse huh? This was by far the most time consuming part of the whole process. I would recommend a heat gun and petroleum jelly.
3/8 Detail Spindle Gouge
5/8 Bowl Gouge
To buy a premade handle for your new lathe tools, it’s gonna cost you at least $45 for a decent one. My total for this project with tax was $37.86. When you consider that the most expensive item was the hose at $18.50 and I bought 10′, I’d say this was a pretty good project. Just take a look at comparable handles and you’ll see that you can’t even buy one for the cost of materials to make two. That works for me!
Jason says
Love my new handle; thanks Mike! I used a heat gun to heat up the hose as I stretched it over the pipe. Since my hardware store only had nipples up to 12″ in length, I took advantage of the threads at the end and made a second handle (6″ extension) with hose grip that could be attached for jobs that required the tool stretch farther over the tool rest.
Mike says
Awesome! Glad you like it Jason! Good thinking on the extension too.