To engage in woodturning on a lathe, one of the most gratifying abilities in woodworking, it is essential to possess considerable patience, accuracy, and, above all, practice. Nonetheless, by adopting the proper mindset and acknowledging the potential obstacles that may arise, all that is required to commence is a quality set of woodturning tools.
When considering the numerous choices available and the extensive technical terminologies to grasp, selecting the most suitable woodworking tools for your requirements can seem more difficult than the actual project you wish to accomplish.
There are two categories of woodturning: spindle turning and faceplate turning. The tools utilized in spindle turning are notably distinct from those used in faceplate turning. Spindle turning involves placing the wood between the centers on both ends. Projects that fall under spindle turning encompass chair and table legs, wooden spoons, and pens.
1. Roughing gouge
A roughing gouge, which can be used for both spindle and faceplate turning, is typically the initial tool utilized by woodturners in any project due to its name. Because they are more prone to encountering debris and have the ability to remove larger amounts of wood with each pass compared to other turning tools, roughing gouges need to be both robust and simple to maintain.
In order to ensure a workshop operates smoothly and stays within a reasonable budget (something of utmost importance if one desires to profit from their lathe), it is crucial to select superior gouges, such as these Yellowhammer roughing gouges.
2. Spindle gouge
The spindle gouge, unlike its faceplate turning counterpart, the bowl gouge, is intended for intricate and precise turning work, making it more challenging.
Spindle gouges found in this set of Hurricane Turning Tools possess a steep angle, rendering them more difficult to manage particularly when the wood lathe is operating at high velocities. Moreover, this heightened bevel angle adds to the difficulty of sharpening spindle gouges, thus requiring a refresher on proper woodturning chisels sharpening techniques.
3. Skew chisel
Skew chisels are crucial tools in any spindle turning toolbox, although they can be challenging to become proficient with.
Skew chisels are useful tools for creating smooth transitions between shapes and for refining wood surfaces. They are also effective in crafting intricate v-grooves to enhance the visual appeal of a project. Mastering the use of skew chisels can greatly enhance the uniqueness and attractiveness of your products, making them more noticeable among other offerings on platforms like Etsy.
If you are new to using skew chisels, it is advisable to select pine as the material for the handles of these Narex chisels. Pine is a forgiving and soft wood, making it perfect for beginners to learn how to use this tool on the lathe.
- Difficult to master, but versatile
- Great for planing, for a smooth surface
Despite their reputation for being difficult to learn, skews are highly flexible tools. They are perfect for shaving wood and creating a flawless, polished surface. The curved edges on the top and bottom make them easy to maneuver. Remember: when using a skew, ensure that the cutting edge meets the wood at a 45º angle, above the centerline, and moves from one end of the piece to the other.
4. Parting tool
Parting tools are useful for creating deep channels in spindle projects. Additionally, they are suitable for defining transitions between shapes, making them well-suited for intricate details needed in chair, table, and bedpost legs.
When you are searching, be vigilant for parting tools that have a diamond-shaped head. This shape helps minimize the chances of encountering irregularities on rough corners. Parting tools are commonly utilized alongside turning calipers, which enable you to measure the diameter of the part you are producing.
- Separates work from unwanted material
When performing a turning between centers, the parting tool is used to separate the desired work from unwanted material. Typically, the tool is introduced to the wood through a plunge cut. What size of parting tool should be used? We recommend choosing the 1/8″ size as it is versatile enough to handle a wide range of projects.
5. Scraper
- Optimal for leaving a smooth surface finish
- They scrape, using a burr, rather than cutting
Scrapers are frequently employed to eliminate the cutter marks that are left behind by your bowl gouge.
New bowl turners often find scrapers to be very helpful because, instead of cutting, a woodturning scraper utilizes a burr to “scrape.” In order for the scraper to work well, it is important to maintain a sharp burr.
The blank is met by the tool just below its centerline. When utilizing a scraper, the handle is held higher than the lower part of the tool. In general, it is effective to hold the tool at approximately a 30º angle from the tool rest.
A bowl scraper, also known as a round nose scraper, is designed to eliminate marks within a bowl, whereas a square nose scraper is suitable for use on the exterior of a bowl, as well as on boxes and other flat surfaces.
6. Bowl gouge
- Deep flute
- Shapes the inside and outside of a bowl
- A ‘bottom feeder’ bowl gouge is designed for finishing the inside of a bowl
Bowl gouges possess deep flutes and have the ability to shape both the interior and exterior of a bowl.
There are two types of flute shapes for bowl gouges: “u” and “v”. The “u” shaped bowl gouge is commonly utilized for making smooth cuts deep into a bowl. On the other hand, the “v” shaped bowl gouge, which has a fingernail grind, is versatile and suitable for roughing, finishing, and intricate bowl work.
7. Lathe chuck and faceplate
Fortunately, it is possible to perform both faceplate turning and spindle turning using the same woodworking lathe. However, in order to do so, you will need to buy an extra faceplate or chuck, which will be used to secure your project to the lathe. Chucks are particularly handy for the process of turning bowls, but they are utilized for all kinds of faceplate projects.
If your lathe did not come with a chuck, like the WEN option measuring 3 ¾ inches, you will need to research the thread diameter and pitch for your specific model as these chucks are not universally compatible.
8. Round nose scraper
Despite its specific name, round nose scrapers have a wide range of applications and can be utilized in both faceplate and spindle turning tasks. However, their strength lies in their ability to effectively refine and complete the narrow inner angles found in bowls, vases, and other vessel-shaped projects.
When thinking in a step-by-step manner, it can be said that scrapers are different from gouges in the sense that bigger scrapers are more manageable compared to smaller ones due to the uniform distribution of surface area, which ultimately decreases the chance of slipping.
9. Bedan
Although Bedans are not typically found in woodturning tool kits, they excel at hollowing out boxes and serve as excellent parting tools.
The bedan’s ability to function as a thick parting tool makes it valuable for spindle projects. This specific Robert Sorby bedan has a trapezoidal shape, resulting in a narrower top surface compared to the bottom. This distinctive shape creates a pleasing relief effect when executing a straight cut.
10. Hollower
Hollowers play a crucial role in creating various vessel-shaped projects on a faceplate lathe. Their purpose is to bore holes that are either symmetrical or shaped according to specific requirements in a project.
Asieg’s hollowing tools are available in different shapes and sizes, and certain advanced options are specifically designed for hollowing out spaces larger than the opening. Skilled turners are recognized for creating vases that bulge in the middle and significantly taper at the opening.
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