As the Shavings Fly
Did you know that wood turning tools don't last forever? As a bowl is turned, the sharp edges on the tools that are necessary to cut and shape the bowl wear down; they are only temporary. According to Al (our household turning expert) , he needs to stop and sharpen the edges of the tools he is using up to five times per bowl! The size of the piece he is working on, as well as the type of wood he is turning does influence the amount of sharpening required. For instance, small 8 inch bowl turned from a soft wood such as pine causes less tool dulling than a 12 inch bowl created from oak, a hard wood. So how is the tool sharpening done? Al uses a grinding wheel, his has an 8 inch 120 grit wheel. Securely fastened to his work bench to keep it stable, the grinder is powered on and the wheel starts to rotate. The dull end if the tool is placed against the wheel, using what is called a "jig" to help support the tool and hold it at the desired angle for each edge. Perhaps I should mention here that each tool he uses has a different shaped edge, allowing Al to make different types of cuts. Therefore, a variety of jig angles are necessary when sharpening the tools. Due to the fact that each time a tool is sharpened it becomes smaller, a goal in tool sharpening is to remove the least amount of metal as possible. Wood turning tools are rather pricey. Replacement of the tools is necessary, but with careful sharpening perhaps the lifespan of the tool can be elongated.
1 Comment
1/4/2020 08:25:48 pm
Woodturning is one of the most basic of crafts. To give perfect shape to wood products the tools play an important role an also a wood lathe to hold the work and make it spin, wood to shape and tools to cut the wood. Woodturning specialists do a great job. Thankyou for sharing this post.
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AuthorAs the Shavings Fly is a blog written by Jeanne Betournay Lanseigne, the wife and #1 supporter of wood turner Al Lanseigne Archives
September 2015
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