Shopsmith lathe chisels

[godavid2]

Need some clarification on SS lathe chisels what is the difference between 515027 and 555027? The shape of the 515027 chisel is different that the 555027 chisel. The handles are different types of wood. 515027 is a nicer material wise chisels. The 5151027 wood handle looks like oak with a brass ring clamp and the blades are stamped HSS. The 515 series chisels look and feel like a much better SS 555series chisels. Does anyone know what year and how years the 515 series was sold by SS. The 515027 looks to be a true 1/2in 45deg angled parting chisel where the 555027 looks to be 1in 45deg angled parting chisel. The 515027 is the chisel with the darker handle and heavier shank. The 45deg angle concave is a true 1/2in as you can see in the pictures. thanks

[godavid2]

Just checked the SS website and apparently SS no longer sells lathe chisels. Interesting.

[edma194]

Of course they do - https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cat ... l_sets.htm

I don't know if a set is still included with a basic Mark 5/7.

[DLB]

I don't know if a set is still included with a basic Mark 5/7.

With the change in marketing to more basic machines and optional work packages, I think the Mark 7 is the only one that includes a tailstock and toolrest, etc. And it doesn't appear to come with basic lathe chisels. I don't think they sell a "Mark V" any more, though a "Mark 520S" with all of the optional work packages is essentially the same thing with a different name. And the Lathe Work Package does not include chisels. Which is fine, I think most users would rather choose their chisels according to their interests.

- David

[godavid2]

Check the SS website again and the prices for the chisels sets come up my bad. There was only one individual chisels come up and the was the 515030. Just wanted some information as the quality of the 515 series. As stated before the quality of the 515 series chisels looks much better than the basic chisels that used to come with the 510-520 packages. The basic chisel packages I'm wondering are the 555 series? Just thinking out loud.

Roy

[jsburger]

SS has always sold a decent set of STARTER lathe chisels. Obsessing over the part numbers over the years is not a reason for concern. Part numbers usually change due to the product coming from a different manufacturer. It doesn't mean the quality is different.

[godavid2]

I guess what I would really like to know is what kind of wood is used with the 515 series because as one can tell the 515 series chisels are a better quality chisel than the 555 series. The 515 series even have a brass ferrule which to me indicates these are a better quality chisel. To me the newer 556 series which is listed on the SS looks ever cheaper than the 555 series chisels. One of my 515 series chisel handles looks like cherry. The 515 series as you can tell in the pictures posted is a darker wood than the 555.

[chapmanruss]

Lathe Chisels Class 101

There have been 10 versions of the 5 piece Lathe Chisel set over the years. The picture below is of those 10 versions.

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Lathe Chisels 1 to 10.jpg (228.47 KiB) Viewed 1080 times

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As you can see from the picture above the 5 early Lathe Chisel versions were smaller and except for version 2 which has a different handle they varied only by the label they had. Versions 1 to 5 include 1” skew, ¾” gouge, ¼” gouge, ½” round nose & ½” parting tool and only came in sets.

When Shopsmith Inc. formed in 1972 they changed the Lathe Chisels beginning with version 6 going through 10. Again, these Lathe Chisels varied only by the label they had except for version 10 which has the brass ferrule and the part number on the handle starting with 515. Versions 6 to 10 include 1” skew, 1” gouge, 3/8” gouge, ½” round nose & ½” parting tool. These Lathe Chisels could be purchased in the 5-piece set or individually.

Version 11 a Boxed 8-piece chisel set that became available in July 2017 replacing the standard Shopsmith 5-piece Lathe Chisel Set. Handles and labeling are different from previous versions since Shopsmith is buying this set from Savannah Woodworking Tools & Accessories. It includes 1" Gouge, 3/4" Gouge, 1/2" Gouge, 1" Skew, 5/8" Skew, 5/8" Roundnose, 3/16" Parting Tool and 5/8" Spear Scraper.

Version 12 is a Boxed 8-piece chisel set that has been for sale since March 2022. Shopsmith is apparently now buying this set to sell labeled Benjamin’s Best.

The part numbers have changed over the years and began with 171-1X for the original 5-piece set. As for the quality of the version 10 Lathe Chisels over the earlier ones haven't used them enough to determine any differences. For the Shopsmith Lathe Chisels I primarily use a version 8 set and have the 7 additional Lathe Chisels that were available for a time. The 7 piece completer set (no longer available) included a ½” Skew (555031); ¼” Skew (555032); 5/8” gouge (555033); ¼” round nose (555034); ½” spear point (555035); ¼” square point (555036) and ½” square point (555037).

[godavid2]

Thanks Russ for pointing the differences of all the SS lathe chisels versions. You must have quite a collection. Do you think that SS used a different species of wood with the 515 series than on the previous of their chisels? It sure looks different. This is the only version that the brass ferrule is used. Even the present chisels don't have the brass ferrule or the same species of wood as the 515 series.

Roy

[chapmanruss]

It is very possible and likely that the wood used for the handles has changed over the years, although I cannot confirm that. As for the 510--- part numbered (version 10) chisels being darker I can't imagine they took an extra step to stain them to make them darker and different from the wood used for the previous chisel versions. They could have used a finish with a stain in it. It would take cutting a handle open to see the wood inside. I don't have a damaged one from the version 10 chisels to do that.