Tip #33
Tips & Techniques For Better Lathe Turning (continued)
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Using Your Lathe Chisels

Lathe turning uses one of three different techniques. These techniques are scraping, cutting and shearing.

With scraping, the chisel is held at a nearly-flat angle, approximately perpendicular to the rotating spindle. There are a couple of ways to hold the chisel during scraping. Chose the one that's most comfortable for you, then advance the chisel slowly into the rotating stock and move it from side-to-side, making your cut until the desired profile is attained. Scraping is the easiest of the three cutting actions and is the best method for beginners to use - although most faceplate turning is performed with a scraping action, even by experienced turners.

Scraping Action

Cutting Action

With cutting, the chisel is held with its cutting edge straight into the rotating stock and its handle at a downward angle, the blade resting virtually flat against the angled top surface of the Tool Rest. This action cuts the rotating stock, much like a knife and should not be used by the beginner until the scraping action is fully mastered. It will leave a surface smooth enough to finish, with practically no touch-up or sanding.

The start of a shearing action with a gouge. The tool is at a slight angle with its cutting edge tangent to the work.

With shearing, the chisel is held at a slight angle with its cutting edge tangent to the work. Usually limited to the Skew & Gouge, shearing moves the tool's edge parallel to the workpiece with your thumb behind the chisel's edge to steady it while cutting. This process removes the wood very quickly while leaving a very smooth surface. Like cutting, shearing should only be attempted after mastering the technique for scraping.

The shearing action of cutting beads with a skew.

Shearing Action

Making The Sizing Cuts
After you've rounded your stock, the next step is to mark the various diameters of the beads and coves you plan to create on your workpiece. First, mark the locations of the beads and coves by holding a pencil against your slowly rotating workpiece. Next, set your outside calipers for the depth-of-cut you want on your first bead or cove, and use your Parting Tool to make a sizing cut to that diameter in the appropriate location. Change your calipers for the next and all subsequent beads and coves and repeat this sizing cut procedure.

Making The Shaping Cuts
Once you've made your sizing cuts, switch to the appropriate Chisel and cut your beads and coves to the depths of the sizing cuts you made along the length of your workpiece. Use your Skew to round the sides of your beads, then use your Gouge or Roundnose Chisel to create your coves.

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