Tool Height

Re: Tool Height

Keith Tompkins

>Hi JIm, welcome! You are probably going to get a whole bunch of different answers on this one....

The biggest difference between wood and metal is that in metal turning, the height of the tool's cutting edge is stationary, and set at the same angle, while in woodturning, the most important concept is to keep the bevel of the tool rubbing the wood.

As long as the bevel is rubbing, the tool can approach the wood from many different angles. High, low, flat or on its side.

I turn with the tool contacting the wood right at the centerline, or just above. Even the skew chisel. Why?

Especially in spindle turning the tool rest is the limiting factor on spindle shape. A high tool rest is great for turning cylinders, but to obtain turnings with a lot of "definition", the handle must be held in a high, awkward position.

With a low toolrest, I can use the tool on its side, bevel rubbing, and create any shape I want, keeping the handle tucked against my side for control. that's my 2 cents....Keith

Re: Tool Height

Don Orr

>I totally agree with Keith on this. Tool and rest hieght depends on what you are trying to achieve. The books all say it MUST be a certain height but most of us have found what works best is what we are each comfortable with and gets the cut done well. I find myself moving the rest very often both in position relative to the piece and in height. Especially if you change between larger or smaller tools. I commonly see beginners who never even touch the banjo (tool rest holder) or adjust the tool rest. Keep the rest close to the wood and play with the height and see what works for you. One bit of advice though, don't get the rest too low or you might get a nasty catch because the tool will have to point upward too much. Don't ask me how I know that!

Good luck and practice, practice, practice. Oh, also have fun and be safe.

Don

Re: Tool Height

TDaniel

>I gotta disagree Don. Join us Wednesday night on our chat for reasons for my disagreement; this just happens to be our topic this week.

Thanks

TD

Re: Tool Height

JamieDonaldson

>As a general rule in bowl turning, the tool(gouge) is at or slightly above center, so the rest may actually be at center or slightly below depending on the diameter of the tool. There are always exceptions, but tool rest at center axis line is a good place to start.

Re: Tool Height

Rodney Jenkins

>Within a small range, it's different strokes for different folks; however, I've found that as a general rule for a bowl gouge, the tool rest height should be set so that the tip of the tool you are using is right on the center line of the workpiece when the gouge is held parallel to the floor.

This means that the height will change for different diameter gouges.

As far as proximity to the workpiece, get the tool rest as close as possible without touching; more critical on finish cuts as opposed to roughing cuts.

That's my ex-spurt (former spurt, now a dribble) opinion (C;

Re: Tool Height

Keith Tompkins

>A really cool technique....I mainly use a modified bowl gouge grind, with a steep angle. I cut with the tool handle on my hip. By changing the height of the handle, I can change the way the tool cuts.

To make a finish cut, roll the tool so the flute is almost at the bottom, cutting very near the catch point. Tool rest is low, cutting right at the centerline, handle low, not horizontal.

The cut made this way is very clean, minimal sanding is needed. IMHO, the Ellsworth grind can't cut as cleanly as this, in this situation.

Re: Tool Height

Don Orr

>Thanks Terry for the invite but I almost never have time for the chatroom these days. The problem I was suggesting came from spindle orientation work not bowls. Got a spindle gouge pointed up too much on a rest that was too low and got a catch. Most likely not following the rules and being careless. I'm no expert but I see people use all kinds of different heights for different approaches and that was what I meant.You know, what one person likes is not appealing to someone else.

I'll see if I can get free and remember the chat session.

Thanks,Don