16
SMOOTHING A CYLINDER
To smooth a cylinder, use a large skew chisel. This
requires practice, but experience with this tool is very
important. Place the cutting point near the center of chis-
el and high on the work (Fig. 38). Sometimes, in striving
for a certain position in relation to the work, the begin-
ner will often overlook this all-important point. Raising
the handle will increase the depth of cut while lowering
the handle, of course, does the opposite. As with the
gouge, the skew can be advanced in either direction.
The center of the skew toward the heel does the actual
cutting. The back portion of the grind or bevel supports
the tool, while the handle-hand controls the depth of cut
by rocking the chisel on this pivot point. Because of this,
keep the skew bevel perfectly flat.
USING THE PARTING TOOL
The parting tool is perhaps the easiest turning chisel
to handle. Simply push this scraping tool into the work
Fig. 39. A somewhat better cutting action is obtained if
the handle is held low. This tool is, in many cases, held
with one hand while the other hand holds the calipers in
the cutting groove. When parting tool cuts are deep, a
clearance cut should be made alongside the first cut
(Fig. 40) to prevent burning the tool point.
SQUARING AN END
The parting tool can be used to quickly square an end.
Since the parting tool is a rough cutter, the cut can then
be smoothed by the use the skew. However, the whole
operation can be done with the skew. In using the skew,
make your first cut a nicking cut with the toe of the
skew (Fig. 41). A deep cut here could burn the chisel, so
a clearance cut is made by inclining the skew away
from the first cut and pushing the tool into the work.
This procedure of side cut and clearance cut is contin-
ued as often as needed. NOTE: While the skew can be
pushed into the wood in any direction, the cutting edge
itself must be inclined a little away from this plane .If the
full cutting edge of skew bears against the cut surface,
the tool will have a tendency to run. See Fig. 42 for the
proper way to make the cut. Push the chisel straight into
the work, and incline the cutting edge away from the cut
surface. Use only the extreme end of the toe for this cut.
This important principle in skew handling will be used
repeatedly in making shoulders, beads and vee cuts.
Fig. 38
Fig. 39
Fig. 40
Fig. 41
Fig. 42