OPERATION
6
Skew chisel
Basic function: The skew evens out high and low spots
to shape cylinders. Vary the angle at which the tip meets
the workpiece to change the aggressiveness of the cut.
Other uses: Cutting beads and V-grooves.
Skew angle is
approximately
70º
Planing and smoothing
Spindle gouge
Basic function: The spindle gouge cuts coves, beads,
and free-form contours.
Other uses: Producing shallow hollows on faceplate
turnings.
Parting tool
Basic function: Use the parting tool to form grooves
and tenons, and to cut stock off.
Other uses: Rolling small beads.
Bowl gouge
Basic function: The bowl gouge cuts external and internal
profiles on faceplate-mounted stock, such as bowls
and platters.
Other uses: Creating ultrasmooth cuts on bowls
and spindles by using as a shearing scraper.
30 - 40º
bevel angle
Cove
Bead
30 - 45º
side
angle
Groove
Tenon
Shaping and
hollowing
bowls
60 - 80º
bevel
Round nose scraper
Basic function: Use the scraper for nonaggressive
shaping of spindles and bowls, and to smooth without
removing much stock.
Other uses:
Nonaggressive smoothing.
Smoothing
bowls
75 - 90º
bevel
Spindle turning
Spindle turning takes place between the centers of the
lathe. It requires a spur center in the headstock, and a live
center in the tailstock. A cup center rather than a cone
center in the tailstock will often reduce the risk of
splitting the stock.
3.1 Stock selection and installation
Stock for spindles should be straight grained and free
of cracks, knots and other defects.
• With a combination square, or plastic center finder for
round stock, locate and mark center on each end of
the workpiece. Accuracy is not critical on full rounds but
extremely important on stock where square sections are
to remain. Put a dimple in the stock with an awl or nail,
or use a spring-loaded automatic center punch.
• Extremely hard woods may require kerfs cut into
the ends of the stock using a band saw, so the wood
will accept the spur center and the live center.
• Drive the spur center about 3 mm into the workpiece,
use a wood mallet or dead blow hammer. Be careful that
you do not split the workpiece. Never use a steel face
hammer and never drive the workpiece onto the spur
center while it is mounted in the lathe spindle.