Craig Jackson was already a highly experienced machinist and metallurgist when he happened to
discover a love for woodturning back in 2001. Frustrated with the need to constantly resharpen
conventional turning tools as well as climb the learning curve necessary to use them effectively, he
applied his extensive knowledge and creativity to create a new kind of turning tool that everybody
agrees is easier to use.
Using replaceable carbide custom cutters that are hardened to Rockwell 93 hardness and machined with
carefully designed bevel angles, Craig's tools make it incredibly easy to present an extremely sharp
edge to a turning workpiece in a safe and effective manner. When one edge of the carbide cutter
eventually becomes dull, the turner need only loosen a screw and rotate the cutter to a fresh sharp
edge, then resume, saving the constant fuss and expense of machine sharpening. When all edges of a
cutter have been consumed, the carbide cutter can be replaced for under $15.
The tools have a square cross section, thus allowing the tool to rest flat upon a lathe's toolrest
and be smoothly advanced without requiring the finesse that conventional gouges and skews require.
The tools come in three basic shapes - for roughing, finishing and detailing. Each of these is
offered in three sizes: mini, mid-size and full size. The mini series is ideal for pen turning and
other small spindle work. The mid-size tools are excellent for turning bowls on mini-lathes. The
full-size tools perform beautifully for all kinds of work on larger lathes.
The specialty Easy Hollower tool, great for hollowing out the interior of bowls, is also extremely popular.
