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15
Stock Selection
Stock for spindles should be straight grained
and free of checks, cracks, knots and other
defects. It should be cut 1/8" to 1/4" larger than
the finished diameter and may require additional
length to remove ends if required. Larger stock
should have the corners removed to produce an
octagon making the piece easier to rough down
to a cylinder, see Figure 14.
Roughing Out
1. Use a large roughing gouge and begin
cutting about 2” from the tailstock end of the
workpiece. Place the tool on tool rest with
heel of the tool on surface to be cut.
2. Slowly and gently, raise tool handle until
cutting edge comes into contact with the
workpiece. Work to the right towards the end
of the workpiece. You never want to start at
the end of a workpiece.
3. Now continue to work the rest of the
workpiece. Roll the flute (hollowed-out
portion) of the tool in the direction of the cut;
see Figure 15. Make long sweeping cuts in a
continuous motion to rough the piece down
to a cylinder. Keep as much of the bevel of
tool as possible in contact with workpiece to
ensure control and avoid catches. Note:
Always cut downhill, or from large diameter
to small diameter. Always work toward the
end of a workpiece, never start cutting at the
end.
4. Once the workpiece is roughed down to a
cylinder, smooth it with a large skew. Place
the cutting point near the center of the chisel
and high on the workpiece, see Figure 16.
Touching one of the points of the skew to
the spinning workpiece may cause a catch
and ruin the workpiece.
5. Add details to the workpiece with the skew,
spindle gouge, etc.