Woodpeckers 20128 Universal Detail Insert - Radius Tip

Unique to the insert turning tool market, the Ultra-Shear Detail Tool comes standard with a diamond-shaped insert ground to a fully sharp point. All the others out there have a radius on the tip. While the radius tip has some very good uses, it isn’t what advanced turners would consider “detail”. Ultra-Shear’s fully sharp detail tool will inscribe the tiniest of accent lines in your work without tear-out on even the most exotic materials (in fact, the harder the better). You can also clean up the transition areas between elements giving your turnings the crisp look you see in the work of the best turners. 

Add the optional radius detail insert and you have the best of both worlds. Now you can create small coves in your work easily and safely. The radius detail insert also does a great job of hollowing end grain vessels like lidded boxes and goblets. 

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

• Inscribing fine, detailed accent lines on various materials without causing tear-out, perfect for intricate designs.
• Cleaning up transition areas between different elements in a piece to achieve a crisp, professional look.
• Creating small coves safely and easily with the optional radius detail insert, adding versatility to your toolset.
• Hollowing out end grain vessels like lidded boxes and goblets, making it easier to work on complex projects.
• Achieving a superior finish on your work that requires minimal to no sanding, saving time and effort in the finishing process.
• Utilizing the shear-scraping technique with ease, even for beginners, to produce a smooth surface on your projects.
• Enhancing the durability and corrosion resistance of your tool, ensuring a long-lasting investment for your woodworking.
• Working on exotic and hard materials efficiently, benefiting from the tool's design to handle challenging materials.
• Leveraging the tool for both advanced turners seeking precision and beginners looking for ease of use and safety in woodturning.