Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
Turning tool corners
Wayne Leach
>Hi All,
I just finished making a handle for my new Raffan 1/2" curved skew and in the process of
trying it out, noticed that the extremely sharp corners of the metal catch slightly on the
cast tool rest (even after I smooth filed the rest).
Is it advisable to round off the sharp corners of the skew???
I notice on my P&N skew the lower surface is slightly rounded and it slides on the rest so much easier!
Thanks for any input.
Wayne
Re: Turning tool corners
Ron in Drums PA
>I rounded all my skews sides on a belt sander
Re: Turning tool corners
John Lucas
>I grind off the corners on all my skews and scrapes so they are rounded.
Re: Turning tool corners
John K Jordan
>Nearly every book I've read recommends rounding the corners. Some round on grinder/beltsander until the entire short edge is semicircular or nearly so. Too lazy for that, I use a coarse then fine diamond hone to knock of the corners. Even that helps a lot.
Also, a bit of wax on the tool rest after filing/sanding makes the tools slide better.
JKJ in East TN
Re: Turning tool corners
Duane C.Leach
>Hi Wayne.
The corners of any tool that will never become part of the cutting edge need to be ground round. Even gouge flutes.Why? Two reasons. One. Sharp corners will dig into the tool rest. Diging in will leave deep cuts in tooll rest and a sharp corner will not move smothly along the tool rest. Two, and most improant if the tool with sharp cornners catches and rotates in you hand it will remove meat from your hand. Been there done that.
But. There is always a but. Those tools like the skew that need a flat edge, don't round off so much that you loose the flat edge.
Happy turning
Duane Leach
Round as a gouge...
Peter Teubel
>Personally, I round off both sides...smooth and round as a gouge. Glides effortlessly along the tool rest. No nicks.
