Spiraling

Re: Spiraling

Richard Allen

>Hi Stan

I find the tool pretty easy to use. Getting good results can be frustrating as you learn the tool's strengths and weaknesses.

For me the spiraling tool works best at the smaller spiral on work that is 2" or larger around. My best results are obtained on wood that is close grained like Boxwood, Holly or Dogwood. My results on Oak or Ash were disapointing at best.

500 RPM is about as fast as I want the lathe turning to start. Slower than that for larger diameters.

The spirials at specific diameters can be quite pleasing. I find that at some diameters the effect from a distance is great but on close inspection the spirials are less than perfect.

I would highly recomend that you visit a woodturner who has this tool and then ask to borrow the tool for a while. You may find it is a must have tool or you may find that, even though it works fine, you aren't as interested in useing the tool as you thought you would be.

This is to say, I have the tool and I find myself using the it a couple of times a year. If I didn't have the tool I wouldn't miss it (having used it).

Good Luck

Richard

I do that with a spindle gouge!

Tony - Memphis

>Or most any other tool i TRY to use!!!

Tony

Re: Spiraling

John Lucas

>Stan

I have mixed feelings about mine. I like the texturing tool and use if frequently. I've never had good luck with the spiraling tool. Granted I've never really had a good hardwood like boxwood to work with but the spirals always seem to have tearout with woods that I've played with. Maybe I'm just too picky. My friends have liked the pieces but I've always been dissappointed in how it cuts.

I talked to the Sorby rep at the AAW symposium and he suggested I needed to find harder woods. My technique was as near as I could tell the same as his. I'll probably try to play with it some more this year.

If it was less expensive I would say it is definitely worth playing with. At the price it is now I'm not so sure. John

Re: Spiraling

Stan

>Thanks Richard. I have a couple of tools like that, That I could live without or do the same thing with a different tool.

Stan

Columbus,OH

Re: Spiraling

Stan

>Thanks John. Since you have much more experience than I, I believe I will forego the pleasure of owning one for a while. It does seem to be quite expensive for a tool that would not get used all that much.

Stan

Columbus,OH