Tip #33
Tips & Techniques For Better Lathe Turning (continued)
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Selecting The Best Turning Chisel For The Job

Chisels

There are four basic chisel configurations for most turning projects...and a host of others for more specialized operations. Let's take a quick look.

• (A) The Gouge is the chisel preferred by most turners for the initial rounding of a turning blank. In addition, the Gouge is also used for creating concave “coves”, primarily in spindle turnings. Gouges are available in both small and large sizes...from about 1/4" across to 1-1/2" or more. In addition, they are available in “shallow” (for spindle turning) or “deep” configurations (for bowl or faceplate turning).
• (B) The Skew is a straight, slant-edged chisel, used primarily for cutting convex “beads”, or for creating straight or tapered cylinders on spindle turnings. Skews are typically available in widths from about 1/2" to 1" - some longer. Although Skews can be used on the outer edges of a faceplate turning, they're typically not used on the insides of bowls or faceplate-turned objects.
• (C) The Roundnose is used primarily in a scraping action to form coves on spindle and faceplate turnings. Available in widths that typically range from 1/2" to 1", the Roundnose is a great tool for beginning turners, as well as experienced craftsmen
• (D) The Parting Tool is used to “part” the finished, turned spindle from the scrap, and for making sizing cuts to a pre-determined depth in the spindle. Once these sizing cuts are made, the turner follows-up by cutting down to these depths using other chisels. Parting Tools are available in varying widths (usually from 1/16" through about 3/8") - and with edges of varying lengths...usually about 1/2".

In addition to these basic chisels, there are a host of other configurations available for specialized jobs. Let's take a look at a couple of these.

• Special Scraping Tools

  Special Scraping Tools are designed specifically for bowl or faceplate turning, using a scraping (rather than shearing) action. There are a number of configurations available, including Deep Flute Gouges, Square End Scrapers, Roundnoses, Radiused Scrapers, Profiled Side-Cutters and lots more.
  
  

• Hollow Forming Chisels

  Hollow Forming Chisels are used to hollow-out bowls and similar objects, usually with openings that are much smaller in diameter than their overall outer sizes. Often, these chisels are bent or feature a side-directed cutter that will “reach around” on the insides of these turnings to hollow-out the insides.

There are literally hundreds of different shaped chisels available to perform every conceivable lathe turning operation and cut any profile you could ever imagine. There are “long & strong” chisels with blades up to 2" wide and handles up to 30" long for turning huge objects; miniature chisels with tiny cutting edges for working on small turnings; carbide-tipped chisels for turning extremely hard woods; “chatter tools” that produce special effects on the surface of your turnings; the list goes on and on.

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