The changing economics of retail, the increased cost of importing, along with fierce competition from larger organisations, have hit us hard. Trading has been incredibly challenging, especially over the past 5 years, and we have relied heavily on personal investment and community support to try and stay here for you.   However, as you will no doubt understand, the additional and very sudden impact of Covid-19 on top of these other factors has further weakened our position, where ...

This may appear to be a rather premature move, given the Open House is some time away, however we have taken the decision that all those involved deserve to have adequate warning of the situation, from our demonstrators to our visitors.   We deeply regret having to take this decision, but we believe that with the latest announcement of the COVID-19 virus being classed as a pandemic, we all have a responsibility to act responsibly and in good time wherever possible. We have ...

It’s no secret that multi-handles and tools have grown in popularity in recent years, notably because there are more options of handles and better availability of tools. That said, without heading here and holding each of the handles, it can be a daunting prospect trying to feel ‘informed’ about each of the handles and their respective characteristics.   With that in mind, we have tried to compile something of a ‘top trumps’ for multi-handles, leaving ...

Congratulations, you’ve cut down a mighty tree or got hold of some freshly felled wood and you’re going to be turning for years absolutely cost free on wood...well hold that dream and see how to get the best chance of seeing it come true - in our eyes anyway.   Firstly, what follows is no guarantee to success, just a set of thoughts cobbled from experience which I wanted to share with those looking to dry timber at home (and assuming you don't own a ...

Agreed, the UK and the rest of the world could be deemed close or far depending on your perspective, but we're here to try and clear up a few things - though not all of them as we discover some anomalies every week...but for 99% of everything, here goes...are you sitting comfortably? For what it's worth I'll explain to you how these things appear to me:   My approach to any such question is to take it outside the immediate, local, context which gave rise to it, then ...

As winter approaches, this is likely something a number of you are thinking about getting sorted before it’s too late, and with good reason - you want to be able to work in comfort through the colder months, and we don’t blame you after the workshop evacuating summer we’ve had. It’s worth noting early on here that there are a number of factors that you need to bear in mind when selecting a heating system. The balance between these requirements will normally lead you ...

To fit any accessories (such as a chuck or faceplate) to your lathe, you will need to know the headstock spindle thread size. Bear in mind, these can be manufactured in Imperial (inch) or Metric (millimeter) sizes. Using a pair of calipers - ideally digital calipers - measure the thread diameter across the maximum diameter of the threads, peak to peak. This will normally be marginally under the nominal thread size due to wear and tear and essential operating clearances as well as ...

Woodturning enthusiasts across the UK who whom recall the sad demise of Microclene and the phoenix-like rise in its place of Thor Filtration, may well be aware that their range of high-performance ambient air filters is available through The ToolPost.   There are more than a few reasons why, whether as an amateur or professional in woodturning, you should take great interest in these fabulous machines. It is now rightly recognised just how crucial it is for woodturners to suitably ...

It’s no secret that over the past 20 years, the topic of hollowing has been long debated, the tools have evolved and the discipline has become more accessible. However, this has meant that as turners we are now faced with more options than you can point a sharpened HSS stick at! In an effort to help guide and inform turners on this topic, we played host to the charming Wight Woodturners, who ventured across the open waters to join us for a day exploring the myriad of techniques, ...

One of the woodturning tool manufacturers for which we are the sole UK and Ireland distributors here at The ToolPost is Carter & Son Toolworks. Its M42 high speed steel (HSS) premium woodturning tools have already attracted a steady and enthusiastic following, despite only being available for a relatively short time. Now, we're delighted to be able to offer yet more tools in this formidable range.   The existing Carter woodturning tools that can be purchased from ...