Favorite Tool?

[dougle40]

I had to answer "Other" here because I can't really say that I have a "FAVORITE" tool . I use just about all of them when I turn a pen .

 

[lkorn]

I use a spindle gouge. Working on confidence with a skew[]

 

[Old Griz]

I would have to say my skews.. I have a couple of them and two are reground to custom shapes and use like a scraper to get the final ready to lightly sand finish... they basically are used to very lightly scrape off dust like particles and smooth the blanks.. they are ground to a more intense radius than a normal radiused skew.. I actually did the first one for making spinning tops, but found it worked on pens very well also... the biggie it keeping them scary sharp and I do that with a diamond stone to touch up the edges... The way I hold them in also different and would probably scare the heck out of most woodturning teachers.. but it works for me and I still have all my fingers.

 

[gerberpens]

I guess I'm in the small minority of folks that use the Sorby Spindlemaster. It is a relatively easy tool to use as a new turner and gives me a nice smooth cut. I would recommend it to new turners.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Txbob, I believe most folks would disagree with you on that. Less chisel, less chance for a catch. I'm in the process of watching a bowl turning video right now and he most of the work with a homemade cutter (I can hardly call it a chisel) so small it is almost just a little point, under 3/16", for sure. A master turner in my club advised using small chisels to avoid catches. He mostly turns manzanita and burls and doesn't like catches. I have been using a 1" spindle gougle for rounding then shaping with a 1" skew on most of my work, from larger to pens. But I recenlty acquired two large (2" & 2 1/2") roughing gouges that I will try for fast waste removal. First attempts were bummers, they caught instantly on corners. It was aged hardwood. I switched to a 3/8" spindle gouge and rounded that sucker quickly without catches.

Originally posted by txbob
<br />90% of my turning is done with a 1" roughing gouge, 9% with a 1" skew, and the rest is mostly a parting tool.

I think a common mistake made by beginners is using smaller tools, when the larger tools give better control and reduced chance of a catch.

txbob

 

[Glenn McCullough]

Ken, I couldnt access the photo, is your tool too small to post?
Just kidding,
Glenn

 

[Tim]

I start with a 1/2" spindle gouge and the use a 3/4" skew. My biggest problem is keeping them sharp emough to do the job properly.

Tim

 

[MDWine]

Up to this point, I've used the gouge on all of my pens. (both of 'em![])

I was able to get a fairly smooth turn, and get the wood to the final diminsions.

Now, thanks to Griz, my skew is less scary, so I think I will be using it a bit more.

So, uh, my FAVORITE? ALL OF 'EM!!!! []
I can't decide, I have so little experience! I guess that makes me fat, dumb, and happy![]

 

[laspringer]

Round cold rolled steel with a carbide metal lathe bit in the end.

 

[lkorn]

I like the "skewchigouge".

 

[atvrules1]

I round with a 1" gouge, rough shape with a 1/2" round nose scraper then final shape with a 1" skew. As I've learned to use the skew I find that the control you can achieve with it is unparalleled. I am able to use it on some of the more difficult woods where anything else would have a fair amount of tear-out. Definently turning into my favorite tool.

 

[Thumbs]

My Big Fat Thumbs!

"Cause they catches all the splinters I missed when I was sanding!

 

[vick]

A roughing gouge and a skew. I use 3/4 roughing gouge to turn round then change to a skew. I have 2 skewa a 3/4 inch and a 1 1/4, if the pen is big enough I love the 1 1/4. It just seems more stable to me.

 

[Ron in Drums PA]

I like using a 3/4" bowl gouge which I also use like a skew.

The bowl gouge I have has a deep flute and I use the sides as skew.
I also have a 1/4" round skew that I like.

 

[dozuki]

i love my roughing gouge. It may sound crazy but i can do most things swith my roughing gouge. Besides the skew keeps catching wile the rougher just rolles along.