Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Tools and Dreams

Turners are tool junkies. Really that goes without saying. If you go into the shop of a turner who has been at the craft for more that a year or so, you see chucks, chisels, gouges, skews, parting tools and what not everywhere. I have a couple of racks full. In reality, there are only three main cuts we can make, straight, cove and bead. Everything else is a variation. Allowing for a hollowing tool, most of us so not need half or more of the tools we own. Still there is the dream that given the latest tool, there will come the greatest turning. For that matter, you need the greatest turning to pay for all those tools. Most pros have fewer than the amateurs because the pro can not justify the costs! For me that means I make tools. The satisfaction doubles when you not only turn the piece but also turn it with tools you made.
So what tools work for you and which were a waste of time or money? Let us know.

2 comments:

Darrell Feltmate said...

Mike
I hear you. What grind are you using on that bowl gouge? At first I would grind it straight across at 45 degrees, much like aroughing gouge. It is a lot more forgiving than the Irish grind although a touch less versatile.

Darrell Feltmate said...

Mike
Here is a thought or two. First of all, never mind the hone or the whet stones for turning. The edge they leave disappears after the first ten seconds or so. Use an 80 grit aluminum oxide wheel on the grinder and make a jig for it. See my web sitt for it. For a straight grind, use the butt of the tool handle in the jig pocket just like a roughing gouge. For the Irish grind use the holder. It will make sense when you look at the site.