Filter
Top Products
24
5. Once the workpiece is roughed down to a
cylinder, smooth it with a large skew. Keep
the skew handle perpendicular to the spindle
and use only the center third of the cutting
edge for a long smoothingcut (touching one
of the points of the skew to the spinning
workpiece may cause a catch and ruin the
workpiece).
6. Add details to the workpiece with skew,
parting tool, scraper or spindle gouge.
Beads
1. Make a parting cut for what is to be a bead
to the desired depth. Place the parting tool
on the tool support and move tool forward to
make the full bevel of the tool come in
contact with the workpiece. Gently raise
handle to make cut to the appropriate depth.
2. Repeat for other side of the bead.
3. Using a small skew or spindle gouge, start in
the center between the two cuts and cut
down each side to form the bead. Roll the
tool in direction of cut.
Coves
1. Use a spindle gouge. With the flute of the
tool at 90 degrees to the workpiece, touch
the point of the tool to the workpiece and roll
in towards the bottom of the cove. See
Figure 34. Stop at the bottom; attempting
to go up the opposite side may cause the
tool to catch.
Figure 34
2. Move the tool over the desired width of the
cove.
3. With the flute facing the opposite direction,
repeat step 1 for other side of cove. Stop at
bottom of cut.
"V" Cuts
1. Use the long point of the skew. (NOTE: Do
not press the long point of the skew directly
into the workpiece to create the "V"; this will
result in a burned or burnished "V" with
fibers being rolled up at both sides.)
2. Lightly mark the center of the "V" with the tip
of the skew.
3. Move the point of the skew to the right half
of the desired width of your cut.
4. With the bevel parallel to the right side of the
cut, raise the handle and push the tool in to
the desired depth, as shown in Figure 35.
Figure 35
5. Repeat from the left side. The two cuts
should meet at the bottom and leave a clean
"V" cut.
6. Additional cuts may be taken to add to
either the depth or width of the cut.
Parting Off
1. Use parting tool.
2. Adjust lathe speed to lower RPM for parting
through a workpiece.
3. Place tool on tool support and raise the
handle until it starts to cut and continue to
cut toward the center of the workpiece.
4. Loosely hold on to the piece in one hand as
it separates from the waste wood.
Sanding and Finishing
Leaving clean cuts will reduce the amount of
sanding required. Move the tool support out of
the way, adjust the lathe to a low speed, and
begin with fine sandpaper (120 grit or finer).
Coarser sandpaper will leave deep scratches
that are difficult to remove, and dull crisp details
on the spindle. Progress through each grit
without skipping grits (for example, do not jump
from 120 grit to 220 grit). Fold the sandpaper
into a pad; do not wrap sandpaper around your
fingers or the workpiece.
To apply a finish, the workpiece can be left on
the lathe. Turn off the lathe and use a brush or
paper towel to apply the finish. Remove excess
finish before restarting lathe. Allow to dry and
sand again with 320 or 400 grit sandpaper.
Apply second coat of finish and buff.