Get A Grip


Here is my “Get A Grip” tip that appeared in the “Tips” section on page 18 of the AAW August 2018 “American Woodturner” Journal.

Adding a layer of elastic mesh sleeve is a cheap and easy way to get a better grip on your woodturning tools. My friends and students like it. You can purchase mesh sleeve from mcmaster.com (I purchased item #5969K23). It is made of 1⁄16″- (1.5mm-) thick polyethylene plastic and comes in different sizes and colors. The mesh I bought would cover handles with an outside diameter (OD) of 1″ to 1½” (25mm to 38mm).


Photo: Get A Grip 1Updated: 9/4/2021. You should also check out my Custom Tool Handles blog entry.

Updated: 9/4/2021. Carl has been published numerous times. Click here to see a list of Carl’s other magazine articles.


Photo: Get A Grip 2Updated: 12/27/2021. This tip is on page 31 of the new AAW “Tips + Tricks for the Woodturner” book.

You can get the book on Amazon or AAW Web site for $20.