New Taper-Lock Inserts Enable Easy Blade Removal from Bolster (PATENT PENDING)
Bolster Only - Requires a Removable Insert
Fastest & Most Secure Blade to Blade Change
Our precision-machined taper lock bolsters are a testament to our commitment to quality. They enable the fastest & most secure blade-to-handle locking and unlocking possible without fasteners or Allen keys.
Our NEW taper-lock removable inserts enable virtually any blade size or shape to work in our advanced handle system with over 50 options. They are quick and easy to lock and unlock from our new hardened stainless-steel bolsters and feature a new easy-to-bond blade system, further enhancing our advanced handle system.
In seconds, the precision-machined anodized taper-lock aluminum inserts are drawn into the bolster using the supplied Allan key and fastener for semi-permanent locking. It is easy to unlock to change out the blade and reuse the new hardened stainless-steel bolster unlimited times.
All our bolsters stay locked with just hand tightening and can be semi-permanently locked using our bench wrench, free with every handle purchase.
Taper Lock Bolsters: Most Secure Rapid Blade Locking & Unlocking
Precision machined hardened stainless steel for rapid blade locking & unlocking to the most versatile & ergonomic handle ever made.
- Massive 3-inch square surface contact for perfect fit & locking to our handles
- Fastest Blade-to-Blade Change
- Sub 10 seconds to remove the handle for easier sharpening
- No tools are required to release or lock
- Free bench wrench giving semi-permanent locking option
- New Removable Anodized Aluminum Taper-Lock Bolster Inserts
- Fit any woodturning blade (Round, Square, Rectangle & Slotted)
- 50 different diameter holes, sizes & shape options
- New taper lock removable precision-machined anodized aluminum inserts
- Quick & easy to release the blade holding taper-lock insert
- Easier than ever to glue in your blade with a unique air/glue release hole
- Reuse the stainless-steel bolster an unlimited number of times
Imitated but Never Duplicated
Note: Unlike unauthorized copies of SB Tool’s bolsters, ours are precision machined to the exact tolerances needed to lock on the taper correctly. The copies use incorrect tolerances and do not lock on the taper but instead butt up against the hexagon shoulder, allowing them to loosen when in use.
Our classic bolsters are nickel-coated gray iron, and our new bolsters are hardened stainless steel. Both are extremely corrosion resistant. The copies of our bolsters are just mild steel with no protective anti-corrosion coating.
Bonding Blades into Inserts:
Always do a dry fit between your blade and the insert before applying any glue; this will let you know your fit. If the blade's tang size is too tight, you can use your bench/belt grinder to reduce it. Two-part epoxy is strong and excellent at filling narrow or wide gaps between the blade and bolster/insert. If the gap is large, you may need to support the blade in a straight position to the insert while the glue sets.
Have some acetone handy, as it easily removes excess glue using a cloth or paper towel. Thin rubber gloves, like the Nitrile exam gloves Costco sells, are also handy. This planning makes gluing in your blade much easier.
After gluing a blade into an insert and wiping off any excess glue, revisit the insert a few minutes later to check that more glue has not escaped, as once it's set, it is much more difficult to remove. However, our new inserts are designed to prevent more glue from escaping a second time once the blade is initially glued in and the excess is wiped off. This is due to our insert design creating a form of vacuum between the blade and glue once assembled, preventing the glue from continuously coming through the release hole.
Thick superglue is another option. However, it has limited working time and can be more challenging. Don’t use thin or medium superglue; these set too fast and won’t fill any medium or large gap between the blade and taper-lock insert. Note that superglue bonds skin together very well, so gloves are recommended. Acetone also works to remove excess superglue, but not once it has set.
Epoxy: 5 Minute Versus 20 Minutes or Longer
Most epoxies state their working time; for example, 5-minute epoxy has 5 minutes of working time but will take longer to set and require additional cure time. So, always read the instructions from the epoxy manufacturer.
Fast-setting epoxies can work well when gluing in a single round bar tool. However, if you are gluing several tools or a square/rectangle blade, use a more extended epoxy setting with at least 20 minutes, or mix a smaller batch and do one at a time.
