Tips on turning cross grain blanks?
- Thread starter Nickfff
- Start date
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Texatdurango
Member
I have my best luck using a skew which slices into the wood at an angle rather than a gouge that attacks the wood with a more aggressive edge.
Remember, those chunks coming off are from the cutting tool trying to grab more wood in a bite and tearing off pieces.
Remember, those chunks coming off are from the cutting tool trying to grab more wood in a bite and tearing off pieces.
Rudy Vey
Member
Very sharp tools and a light touch!
jthompson1995
Member
WHat they said and cut or sand off the corners of the blank before you start turning. You want to get it as round as you can before turning to reduce blank shattering catches.
Dario
Member
As mentioned, use a sharp skew and light touch.
In reality, you can use any tool but take as little bite as much as possible. High speed also helps. Make sure you have good glue coverage between blank and tube.
In reality, you can use any tool but take as little bite as much as possible. High speed also helps. Make sure you have good glue coverage between blank and tube.
DurocShark
Member
With end grain, you shouldn't be looking for curly shavings. Use a skew, and you should see small pieces of thread coming off. It can take forever if your blank is a lot larger than final size, but the results are worth it.
http://donimages.com/wood/images/cedarcopper.jpg
http://donimages.com/wood/images/cedarcopper.jpg
I use the Sorby Spindlemaster. It works great.
Don't attempt to get as close to the finished dia. as you would with straight grain. I use an 80 - 150 grit gouge for that. As well, a nice coating of thin CA helps to keep the grain from pulling out near the finish line.
Don't attempt to get as close to the finished dia. as you would with straight grain. I use an 80 - 150 grit gouge for that. As well, a nice coating of thin CA helps to keep the grain from pulling out near the finish line.
johnm
Member
End Grains
I would also soak the wood with CA prior to turning, it'll help stabilize it... i get impatient sometimes, becuase on end grains, you really need to take light cuts. What'll happen is you wont just ruin a small section, the entire blank will blow apart, making it hard to repair.
I have found that for the quickest turning of end grain, the skogger works really well, becuase you are coming from the side and really cutting into the grain itself.
I would also soak the wood with CA prior to turning, it'll help stabilize it... i get impatient sometimes, becuase on end grains, you really need to take light cuts. What'll happen is you wont just ruin a small section, the entire blank will blow apart, making it hard to repair.
I have found that for the quickest turning of end grain, the skogger works really well, becuase you are coming from the side and really cutting into the grain itself.
bruce119
Member
I turn end grain a lot I do it a little different. Most will say it's not proper but it works.
As mentioned CA will defiantly help if tends to chunk out on you. Now I have a metal lathe and use a tool bit at high speed to round it off. Then I use the skew like you would use a tool bit on a metal lathe. I take the tip of a very sharp skew and just cut it off a little at a time using the point/tip of the skew. You will not get ribbons this way kind of like using the skew as a scrapper. But work with the point moving along taking a little at a time. Then don't be afraid to use your skew as a scrapper. It works great practice practice practice.
Bruce
As mentioned CA will defiantly help if tends to chunk out on you. Now I have a metal lathe and use a tool bit at high speed to round it off. Then I use the skew like you would use a tool bit on a metal lathe. I take the tip of a very sharp skew and just cut it off a little at a time using the point/tip of the skew. You will not get ribbons this way kind of like using the skew as a scrapper. But work with the point moving along taking a little at a time. Then don't be afraid to use your skew as a scrapper. It works great practice practice practice.
Bruce
GouletPens
Member
I second this method....also, look at buying stabilized crosscut blanks. AS has them and they are much easier than normal stock.