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Which steel is used to make Thompson late tools

The tools are made from the best steel on the market, CPM10V  (A-11) a powder metal manufactured by Crucible Materials Corporations with 10% vanadium content to hold an edge longer and has a proven history in woodturning.  The steel is hardened to 62-64 Rockwell, triple tempered with a cryogenic treatment between the first and second temper.  The cryogenic treatment at this stage transforms the bulk of the retained austenite to martensite and form very fine “eta” carbides much finer than tempering alone, this increases the durability and toughness of the steel.  Nothing else can be done to this steel!aragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.

A question of size

Thompson lathe tools are American made, hence the ​conversion chart below.

We use the American standard to measure the tools, that is by the diameter of the steel. The European standard measures across the flute. In a world where we use both it does get confusing at times.

Here’s a simple chart to show both.

                                                         American —– European

                                                              3/8 ————– ¼

                                                                ½ ————— 3/8

                                                              5/8 ————– ½

                                                                ¾ ————— 5/8

                                                              7/8 ————– ¾

                                                                 1 —————–7/8

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Thompson 10V  bowl gouges
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