Chisel advise

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Lou Boy

Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2014
Messages
5
Location
Hawaii
Hello everyone hope you're having a great day.
I have a question. Being a newbie, what is the better chisel to use (easiest) for a beginner like me? I made my first pen yesterday and experimented with the two chisels that came with my kit. (Roughing gouge and a skew) The pen came out good, but did a lot of sanding. Any advice as to the type of chisel I should be using? Or are those chisels good? :confused:
 
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For pen making, the usual sequence is to form the rough shape using a gouge, and then fine tune using a skew.

Ultimately, with practice, you will find that the skew is both the most useful tool you own, and also the tool most likely to create problems. The secret to maximizing its utility while avoiding problems is to practice using it - a lot.
 
You can turn a pen with almost any tool.

You will find that some tools you like better than others.

Focus on getting your tools sharp. Dull tools will frustrate you.

I was very happy starting with the most expensive harbor freight set. The two heavy spindle gouges I still use constantly.
 
I use my roughing gouge and skew for 99% of my penturning. As mentioned above, lots of practice. Remember to keep the tools sharp, ride the bevel, and take light cuts.
 
Scraping is generally easiest for a beginning turner, so the carbide insert tools are a popular starting place. Some people turn pens with a roughing gouge, but I only ever use mine for initial rounding of bowl stock. I started off with a spindle gouge. It's a tool made for that type of turning. It does flats, beads, and coves well; can make shearing cuts, and is more forgiving than a skew chisel. As I use my skew more, I use the spindle gouge less, but it's still one of my go-to tools.

I hope that helps,
Eric
 
I just starting turning pens last year and I was using a gouge and the skew. The skew itself is a must for acrylics but It does get intimidating. My husband sharpens the tools but sometimes he is busy with his projects, I hate to bother him all the time with sharpening my tools so I bought these carbide tools from PSI. I bought two pen genie, one using the square edge for roughing and one using the radius edge for smoothing.Now that's all I used!
I know, I know. I need to practice to be proficient and I still practice with the skew but I got spoiled with the carbide.
I turned about ~ 30 acrylic pens before I change the cutter. I am saving to buy the cove master and detailed.
Happy turning! Maria
 
Someone needs to refresh the Library...nothing in there about "What tools to buy" or "What do I need to start" or "Tools for turning"
If you ever move on from pens...forget carbide. Gouges were developed for a reason, as were carbides. Good time to learn.
 
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