The Packard Woodworks Catalog stands as a definitive technical resource for the woodturning community, catering to a diverse spectrum of artisans ranging from hobbyists to professional woodturners. For over three decades, this publication has meticulously curated an inventory of tools, machinery, and accessories that define the standards of modern woodturning. By maintaining a focus on high-performance equipment and specialized supplies, the catalog provides a centralized location for sourcing products that are often difficult to find in general woodworking stores. The selection process for including items in the catalog involves a deep understanding of the mechanical requirements of woodturning, ensuring that every gouge, lathe, and abrasive meets a specific functional need within the workshop environment. This commitment to quality and specialization has established the catalog as an essential reference for those seeking to enhance their technical capabilities and project outcomes.
Within the pages of the Packard Woodworks Catalog, one finds a comprehensive array of products from internationally recognized brands such as Vicmarc, Oneway, Robert Sorby, and Tormek. The catalog provides detailed specifications for each item, allowing turners to make informed decisions based on metallurgical properties, motor capacities, and compatibility with existing equipment. Beyond mere hardware, the catalog serves as an educational bridge, offering insights into the latest advancements in tool steel technology and workholding mechanics. Whether an individual is looking to invest in a primary lathe or is seeking specialized finishing products like the Beall Wood Buff system, the catalog offers a structured and authoritative overview of the current market. This systematic approach to tool curation ensures that artisans can locate the precise instruments required for everything from delicate spindle turning to massive bowl projects, all while adhering to the highest standards of safety and efficiency.
Professional Grade Woodturning Lathes
The foundation of any woodturning workshop is the lathe, and the Packard Woodworks Catalog features a selection of the world’s most respected machinery. The catalog highlights the engineering excellence of brands like Vicmarc and Oneway, which are renowned for their stability, precision, and longevity. These lathes are designed to minimize vibration, a critical factor when turning unbalanced green wood or executing fine detail work on expensive exotic timbers. The technical specifications provided for these machines include swing over bed measurements, distance between centers, and variable speed ranges, enabling the turner to select a machine that aligns with their specific spatial and project requirements.
Vicmarc Lathe Systems
Vicmarc lathes, prominently featured in the catalog, are celebrated for their heavy-duty cast iron construction and precision-engineered components. The VL150 and VL300 series models offer exceptional torque and stability. These machines often incorporate electronic variable speed controls, allowing for seamless transitions between roughing out large blanks and applying delicate finishes. The catalog provides information on various mounting options, including bench-mounted and stand-mounted configurations, ensuring that the lathe can be integrated into any workshop layout. Furthermore, the availability of specialized outboard turning attachments for these models expands the capacity of the lathe, permitting the creation of large-diameter platters and bowls.
Oneway Engineering Excellence
Oneway lathes represent the pinnacle of Canadian engineering in the woodturning sector. The Packard Woodworks Catalog details the unique features of the Oneway 2436 and 1224 models, emphasizing their patented bed designs and high-performance spindle bearings. These lathes are built to withstand the rigors of continuous professional use. The catalog notes the inclusion of sophisticated drive systems and the availability of extensive accessories such as bed extensions and vacuum chucking systems. By providing these detailed specifications, the catalog assists turners in understanding how the Oneway system can be tailored to meet the demands of complex, large-scale woodturning projects.
High-Performance Woodturning Hand Tools
A significant portion of the Packard Woodworks Catalog is dedicated to hand tools, specifically gouges, chisels, and scrapers. The catalog emphasizes the importance of metallurgy in tool performance, featuring items crafted from High-Speed Steel (HSS), M2, and M42 Cobalt steel. These materials are chosen for their ability to maintain a sharp edge even under the heat and friction generated during high-speed turning. The catalog showcases tools from manufacturers like Robert Sorby and Crown, providing turners with access to the same equipment used by world-class demonstrators and professionals.
Gouges and Chisels
Bowl gouges, spindle gouges, and roughing gouges form the core of the hand tool selection. The catalog provides information on various grinds, such as the fingernail grind or the traditional Irish grind, which are essential for different cutting techniques. Technical details include blade diameter, handle length, and the specific steel alloy used. For turners specializing in spindle work, the catalog offers a range of skew chisels and parting tools designed for precision and clean cutting. The inclusion of specialized tools like the Robert Sorby TurnMaster system allows turners to utilize replaceable carbide or HSS cutters, providing versatility for various wood densities and grain orientations.
Specialized Scrapers and Hollowing Tools
Hollowing out deep vessels requires specialized tools that can reach into confined spaces while resisting vibration. The Packard Woodworks Catalog features a variety of hollowing systems, including articulated arm tools and captured bar systems. These tools are designed to provide maximum control and safety when working on the interior of a form. Additionally, the catalog includes a wide selection of negative rake scrapers, which are increasingly popular for achieving a superior surface finish on difficult grains. Detailed descriptions explain the geometry of these tools and how they interact with the wood fibers to minimize tear-out and reduce the need for extensive sanding.
Sharpening and Edge Maintenance Systems
Maintaining a razor-sharp edge is paramount in woodturning, and the Packard Woodworks Catalog offers a comprehensive suite of sharpening solutions. The catalog acknowledges that even the best steel will eventually dull, and the ability to quickly and accurately restore an edge is a fundamental skill. From traditional bench grinders to advanced water-cooled systems, the catalog provides the equipment necessary for every sharpening philosophy.
Water-Cooled Sharpening Systems
The Tormek T-8 system is a highlight of the catalog’s sharpening section. This system uses a slow-speed water-cooled stone to prevent overheating the steel, which can ruin the temper of the tool. The catalog details the various jigs available for the Tormek, such as the SVD-186 R gouge jig, which ensures repeatable and consistent angles every time a tool is sharpened. This level of precision is vital for turners who rely on specific bevel angles for their cutting techniques. The catalog also features specialized honing wheels and pastes that allow for a mirror-like finish on the cutting edge, further enhancing tool performance.
Dry Grinding and CBN Wheels
For those who prefer dry grinding, the catalog offers high-quality bench grinders and the revolutionary Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN) wheels. CBN wheels are favored by professional turners because they do not require dressing, maintain a constant diameter, and run much cooler than traditional aluminum oxide wheels. The Packard Woodworks Catalog provides information on different grit sizes and wheel widths, allowing turners to customize their sharpening station. Additionally, the catalog includes the Wolverine Sharpening System and its various attachments, which have become the industry standard for achieving consistent grinds on bowl and spindle gouges using a standard bench grinder.
Versatile Workholding and Chucking Solutions
Securely holding a piece of wood on a rotating spindle is critical for both safety and precision. The Packard Woodworks Catalog features an extensive range of chucks, drive centers, and faceplates designed to accommodate various project sizes and shapes. The catalog focuses on 4-jaw self-centering chucks, which offer the versatility needed for mounting both bowl blanks and spindle stock.
Precision 4-Jaw Chucks
Chucks from brands like Oneway (Stronghold and Talon) and Vicmarc are prominently displayed. These chucks are engineered with high tolerances to ensure minimal run-out and maximum gripping power. The catalog provides detailed charts showing the compatibility of different jaw sets with each chuck body. Turners can find everything from micro-jaws for small finials to massive Powergrip jaws for large, heavy bowls. The technical descriptions highlight the safety features of these chucks, such as the patented profile of the jaws that provides superior grip without damaging the wood fibers as severely as traditional designs.
Centers and Faceplates
For between-centers turning, the catalog offers a variety of drive centers and live centers. These include heavy-duty multi-prong drives and precision live centers with replaceable tips. The catalog also features faceplates in various diameters and thread sizes, ensuring a secure mount for large or irregular blanks that cannot be held in a chuck. Special attention is given to vacuum chucking systems, which allow turners to hold finished pieces without leaving any tool marks, a feature highly valued by those creating high-end decorative vessels.
Surface Preparation and Finishing Supplies
The quality of the final finish is often what distinguishes a masterpiece from a mediocre piece. The Packard Woodworks Catalog provides a vast selection of abrasives, fillers, and topcoats specifically formulated for the unique challenges of woodturning. Since woodturning involves high speeds and often end-grain surfaces, the catalog offers products that are designed to perform under these specific conditions.
High-Quality Abrasives
Sanding on the lathe requires abrasives that can withstand heat and resist clogging. The catalog features brands like Indasa Rhynogrip and Abranet, which are known for their durability and consistent scratch patterns. Detailed information is provided on grit sequences and the availability of specialized sanding pads and mandrels. For those working on intricate details, the catalog offers flexible sanding sticks and small-diameter discs that can reach into tight crevices. The systematic approach to sanding outlined in the catalog helps turners achieve a flawless foundation for their chosen finish.
Protective Coatings and Polishes
Once the surface is prepared, the catalog offers a variety of finishing options, including oils, waxes, and friction polishes. Products like the Beall Wood Buff system are highlighted for their ability to produce a high-luster finish through a multi-stage buffing process. The catalog also includes food-safe finishes for salad bowls and kitchenware, as well as high-build lacquers and polyurethanes for decorative items. Technical guidance on application methods and drying times is often included, ensuring that turners can select the most appropriate finish for the intended use of their project.
Safety Equipment and Workshop Essentials
Safety is a paramount concern in woodturning, and the Packard Woodworks Catalog reflects this by offering a comprehensive range of personal protective equipment (PPE). Turning wood at high speeds involves inherent risks, including flying debris and fine dust inhalation. The catalog provides the necessary gear to mitigate these hazards, allowing turners to focus on their craft with peace of mind.
Personal Protective Gear
High-impact face shields and respirators are essential items featured in the catalog. The technical specifications for face shields often include ANSI ratings for impact resistance. For dust protection, the catalog offers everything from simple disposable masks to powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) like the Trend Airshield Pro. These systems provide a continuous flow of filtered air, which is crucial for turners who spend long hours at the lathe or who work with toxic exotic woods. The catalog also includes hearing protection and specialized aprons designed to deflect wood chips and prevent loose clothing from getting caught in the machinery.
Measuring and Layout Tools
Precision in woodturning requires accurate measurement and layout. The catalog offers a variety of calipers, depth gauges, and center finders. These tools are essential for maintaining consistent wall thickness in bowls and for ensuring that spindle components match a specific design. Technical descriptions explain the use of specialized tools like the Kelton hollowing gauges, which allow turners to measure wall thickness in deep vessels where traditional calipers cannot reach. By providing these precision instruments, the catalog supports the artisan’s quest for technical perfection and repeatable results.
The Packard Woodworks Catalog remains a cornerstone of the woodturning industry, providing an unparalleled selection of professional-grade tools and equipment. Through its commitment to technical accuracy, quality brands, and comprehensive product ranges, the catalog empowers artisans to push the boundaries of their craft. By serving as both a procurement source and a technical reference, it ensures that woodturners have access to the information and hardware necessary for success in the workshop. For those dedicated to the art and science of woodturning, the Packard Woodworks Catalog is an indispensable asset for building a high-performance workshop and achieving superior project results.