After you’ve used them a little the light bulb will go off. If you want a concave surface (inside curve) you use the round tool. If you want a convex surface (outside curve) you use the square tool. It really is that simple.
A beginning turner can shape the inside of a bowl with an Ultra-Shear Round Tool without the hours of training it takes to master the bowl gouge. When it’s time to refine the surface, roll the tool over to 45° and smooth it out with a few shear-scrape cuts. Finishing the inside of a bowl with an Ultra-Shear Round Tool leaves a surface that needs only light sanding afterward.
Carbide insert tools have been around for several years, and insert tools in general have been around since at least the mid-1980s. So, what makes Ultra-Shear different from all the rest? The three key differences are:
- the grade and grind of the inserts
- the design of the tool shaft
- the material and treatment used in making the shaft
It All Starts at the Cutting Edge. Ultra-Shear’s development team started this project by interviewing dozens of carbide manufacturers, seeking out a partner that recognized the unique requirements of woodturning. For advanced performance at the lathe, you need a truly keen edge. That requires a carbide that doesn’t just last, but also is fine-grained enough not to crumble when formed to a really sharp angle. The result of months of testing and trials is a unique nano-grain carbide matrix, polished to a mirror-finish on the cutting surface and precision ground on the bevel. They are the sharpest, longest lasting inserts on the market.
Go Beyond Just Shaping your Project. Carbide insert turning tools are typically used with the tool on the centerline of the lathe, held horizontal to the ground. Ultra-Shear tools use this approach for roughing and shaping cuts, but there’s a clever “twist” to these tools. After initial shaping, roll the tool right or left and you will feel it land on another bearing plane, 45° from horizontal. With the tool at this angle, the wood fibers slice cleanly, leaving a surface that needs little or no sanding. It’s called “shear-scraping” ... an advanced technique that usually involves skillfully balancing a tool on a round surface or a sharp corner. Ultra-Shear’s patented shaft geometry makes shear scraping a simple approach even beginners can use, instead of something that takes years to master.
High Tech Steel; Higher Tech Manufacturing. A truly sharp cutting-edge needs rock solid support. Ultra-Shear uses the same ChroMoly alloy steel found in NASCAR roll cages and crankshafts. The 5-sided shape of the shaft is machined on state-of-the-art CNC milling centers. After machining, they go through a two-step hardening process creating an ultra-smooth surface-finish which glides easily across your tool rest and resists corrosion.
The full-size tools have an 8" tool length (beyond handle) with a 15-3/4" handle, for a total length of 23-3/4". The mid-size tools have a 4-1/2" tool length with an 11" handle for a total length of 15-1/2". The pen tools have a 3-1/4" tool length with a 9" handle for a total length of 12-1/4".
Ultra-Shear Woodturning Tools are precisely machined and carefully inspected by Woodpeckers in Strongsville, Ohio, factory, just south of Cleveland.
Additional Info
- Creating concave surfaces inside bowls and other woodturning projects using the round tool for a smooth, curved finish.
- Shaping convex surfaces on the exterior of woodturning projects with the square tool for a precise, rounded edge.
- Beginners can quickly learn to shape the inside of bowls without extensive training, making the craft more accessible.
- Refining and smoothing out the surface of wood projects by shear-scraping, reducing the need for extensive sanding and saving time in the finishing process.
- Achieving a high-quality finish on woodturning projects that requires minimal sanding, making the crafting process more efficient and enjoyable.
- Utilizing the unique nano-grain carbide inserts for advanced performance in woodturning, ensuring long-lasting sharpness and durability.
- Employing shear-scraping techniques with ease, thanks to the patented shaft geometry, allowing even beginners to achieve professional-level finishes.
- Leveraging the high-tech steel and manufacturing process for a tool that offers solid support, smooth operation, and resistance to corrosion, enhancing the overall woodturning experience.
Download Manual Instructions
Turning A Pocket Mirror | Ultra-Shear LIVE
