#LCSET10
PSI Woodworking Products
Your lathe should be mounted on a stable surface. The height of the
centerline should be approximately even with the bend in your elbow. The
tool rest height will ideally be just a little below the lathe centerline.
The distance from the work piece and the tool rest should be just enough
that when the chisel reaches the work piece, it is supported behind the
bevel (Fig.1). This will provide good support as the chisel engages the work
piece. When the stock is reduced, the tool rest should he moved closer to
maintain chisel support. Other adjustments to the tool rest position may be
necessary for certain tools and techniques.
It is a good idea to read up on turning methods or to search for video advice online. The best advice after watching or reading about any aspect
of woodturning is to practice. The easiest and fastest way to gain experience with the chisels is to purchase cheaper lumber and practice using
different motions to see how the chisel works. This will provide practical demonstration without wasting valuable wood.
Do not try to use theses practice sessions to make specific items; they are just to get a feel for how the tool cuts into the material, learn lathe
adjustments such as tool rest position and speed, and to develop techniques for different shapes. Do not be discouraged if practice pieces get
damaged. Try to turn away the damaged section with careful cuts. Once a practice piece is too small to continue, you can always start over with a
new piece. Practice materials can include pine 2x4’s, hardwood dowels, and inexpensive plastics.
The basic hold of turning chisels is that the dominant hand is placed on
the handle while the other hand us used to guide the gouge on the tool rest.
When turning, it is important to have a solid grip on the handle and brace
it with the arm to reduce vibration from the impact of the cuts. The smaller
the work piece is the higher on the handle the hand will be for more delicate
control.
When gripping the chisels on the tool rest, the knuckles of your leading finger should be against the tool rest (Fig.1) to help maintain a steady
guide for the tool.
If learning for the first time, try to start with smaller stock - around 1”. The smaller pieces will require fine control mostly in the hands and
forearms. Wider pieces will require more work from the arms, body, and legs. Learning from small to large allows the skills to adapt to the larger
movements needed for bigger stock.
Make note that the large the stock is, the lower the speed of the lathe should be. Bigger pieces turn with more force and higher speed on large
stock can be very dangerous.
It is safer to cut from wider spots to narrower spots. Moving a chisel from narrow areas to wider areas increases the chance of the tool catching
on the material. Also, avoid coming into the blank from the very end of the blank towards the center whenever possible to avoid catching the end
grain.
Your Lathe:
General Set Up and Usage of #LCSET10 Turning Tools
Holding Chisels - Best Practices:
Practical Learning and Practice:
Fig 1: Holding the Chisel
Keeping Chisels Sharp:
All High Speed Steel chisels in this set will require regular sharpening. A Bench Grinder(C) with an 8” wheel is recommended to maintain the
proper curve on the bevel. In addition to the Grinder, flat (A) and curved (B) diamond plates will help in honing the edge of your tools in between
sharpening. A setup such as the PSI 4pc Precision Sharpening System (D), which includes accessories that are very helpful in maintaining the
correct angles on your tools as well as a Fingernail Jig that is indispensable for maintaining the fingernail grind on spindle gouges.
3
A
C
B
D