Mobyturns
19th September 2015, 07:39 AM
I will often take the time to watch other experienced & not so experienced turners in action when at participation style events.
One thing that I often see is a turner struggling with a poorly designed tool rest.
What are your views on the ideal tool rest - for bowl or spindle turning or a great "universal" design?
Do you prefer over hand or under hand grips while turning? Does the tool rest design matter?
Important points to consider imo as I believe the cross section profile of the tool rest affects spindle turning more so than for bowl turning.
My views,
More vertical profiles with a "cove" on the turners face of the rest such as the ones shown at http://www.woodfast.com.au/index.php?p=1_8 allow the turner to use an underhand grip & run their LH (or RH) index finger as a guide, i.e. to follow the tool rest giving more stability and allows the fingers to act as a "depth gauge."
Angled tool rest profiles are more difficult to use for spindle turning as the turners fingers cannot follow the guide and in some cases with "flatter angles" the fingers are well away from where you need tool support so it becomes quite difficult to use underhand grips while spindle turning. These are more suited to bowl turning. http://www.vicmarc.com/default.asp?contentID=727
Similar issues occur with the spindle/detail gouge as the index finger is often used under the tool rest with the thumb "anchoring" and guiding the spindle gouge as it is held between the thumb & index finger (forefinger).
The taper of the bottom of a tool rest may create issues as well. Sharp angles / corners become uncomfortable and the overly large bevels mean you loose support at times as there is not a long enough useable section of the tool rest.
I believe most of the problems turners have with a skew chisel are actually tool rest design problems.
One thing that I often see is a turner struggling with a poorly designed tool rest.
What are your views on the ideal tool rest - for bowl or spindle turning or a great "universal" design?
Do you prefer over hand or under hand grips while turning? Does the tool rest design matter?
Important points to consider imo as I believe the cross section profile of the tool rest affects spindle turning more so than for bowl turning.
My views,
More vertical profiles with a "cove" on the turners face of the rest such as the ones shown at http://www.woodfast.com.au/index.php?p=1_8 allow the turner to use an underhand grip & run their LH (or RH) index finger as a guide, i.e. to follow the tool rest giving more stability and allows the fingers to act as a "depth gauge."
Angled tool rest profiles are more difficult to use for spindle turning as the turners fingers cannot follow the guide and in some cases with "flatter angles" the fingers are well away from where you need tool support so it becomes quite difficult to use underhand grips while spindle turning. These are more suited to bowl turning. http://www.vicmarc.com/default.asp?contentID=727
Similar issues occur with the spindle/detail gouge as the index finger is often used under the tool rest with the thumb "anchoring" and guiding the spindle gouge as it is held between the thumb & index finger (forefinger).
The taper of the bottom of a tool rest may create issues as well. Sharp angles / corners become uncomfortable and the overly large bevels mean you loose support at times as there is not a long enough useable section of the tool rest.
I believe most of the problems turners have with a skew chisel are actually tool rest design problems.