Woodpeckers MSD Woodpeckers Turning Tools - Mid Size Detail

If you want to make bottle stoppers, duck calls, pizza cutter handles, and other 1-1/2" to 5" projects, Ultra-Shear Mid Size Tools are perfect for you. All the joys of turning without the complicated learning curve involved in traditional tools or the expensive and complicated sharpening equipment, either. The cutting edge is an industry-leading nano-grain carbide insert that rivals high-speed steel for edge quality, but outperforms high-speed steel for edge retention by 20 to 30 times. When you do need a fresh edge, just loosen the retention screw, turn the cutter, lock it back up and get back to work.

Not Just Easier…Better. Carbide insert woodturning has gone viral over the last few years. And why not? Without the long learning curve and endless sharpening, turning is just plain fun. But when the Woodpeckers team decided to develop a line of carbide insert woodturning tools, we didn’t just want them to be easier to use, we wanted them to actually deliver the same nearly flawless surface finish a professional turner can get with a perfectly sharpened traditional tool. 

It All Starts at the Cutting Edge. We started the project by interviewing dozens of carbide manufacturers, seeking out a partner that recognized the unique requirements of woodturning. 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, and coincidentally, also made right here in Ohio.  

Change from fast stock removal to fine finishing in the blink of an eye. Carbide insert tools are typically used with the tool on the centerline of the lathe and 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 with the tool flat, roll it right or left and you’ll 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 a technique called shear scraping, and it’s been around forever, but until now, it’s been one of those things that separates the masters from the rest of us. Ultra-Shear’s shaft geometry makes shear scraping a simple approach even beginners can use.

Built to build confidence and last for generations. The tool shanks are machined from a special alloy steel renown for its strength and resilience (4140 ChroMoly for those of you understand “steel-speak”). After machining, the shanks go through a two-step heat treating process that hardens the material throughout and tightens up the grain structure at the surface. The result is a rigid tool that resists corrosion and glides effortlessly across your tool rest. The shanks are pressed into rock maple handles, carefully designed to balance the tool in your hands. 

Three profiles in two sizes. The insert pocket for each of the three profiles has been designed to fully support the insert when installed. It performs and feels like a one-piece tool when you’re turning. Use the Mid-Size Square tool for roughing cuts and to create smooth outside curves. Use the Mid-Size Round tool for inside curves -- like coves in spindle work or the inside of bowls. Create crisp detail lines and sharp transitions with the Mid-Size Detail tool. The same three profiles are also available in our Full-Size tools for larger-scale work. You can buy each tool individually or save some money with a set of three. 

Ultra-Shear Woodturning Tools are precisely machined and carefully inspected by Woodpeckers in Strongsville, Ohio, factory, just south of Cleveland.

Additional Info

• Crafting custom bottle stoppers for wine enthusiasts or as personalized gifts
• Creating unique duck calls for hunters or wildlife enthusiasts
• Designing and turning pizza cutter handles for kitchenware or culinary gifts
• Producing small to medium-sized projects ranging from 1-1/2" to 5" with ease
• Enabling beginners to achieve professional-level finishes without a steep learning curve
• Simplifying the transition between fast stock removal and fine finishing for a smoother workflow
• Facilitating the creation of smooth outside curves and inside curves for more intricate designs
• Allowing for the production of crisp detail lines and sharp transitions in woodworking projects
• Offering a solution for woodturners to work on both small-scale and larger-scale projects with different tool sizes
• Providing a durable, long-lasting tool option for woodturning enthusiasts looking to invest in quality equipment
• Making shear scraping accessible to beginners, enhancing the quality of finishes with minimal sanding required