Thread: Grumble, grumble, $#%@#$% Rougher

Originally Posted by joe greiner

Same as with cross-country skiing after a few years away from it. Ouch!

Cheers,
Joe

That makes two of us Joe

Boy does XC skiing keep you fit. It's the most aerobically demanding form of exercise there is.

Flip side is that a solid hour's worth means you can eat 8 Mars bars or drink 8 pots of Guinness (But don't drink and slide )

Originally Posted by joe greiner

Have you tried adjusting the toolrest height? The "equator" doesn't have to be dead level, just at a proper angle of attack.

Originally Posted by TTIT

So simple when you think about it - good idea Joe I'll give it a try next time I use the rougher.

Not sure what adjusting the tool rest would do. The tool must be horizontal, and at close to the center of the piece. If you lower the tool rest, does that imply you are suggesting taking an angled approach to the work - if so, don't do it

I must admit I take an unusual hold for the tool. I have a long handle and hold it half way along, then use my elbow (of the same arm) to ballance the end of the handle, whilst guiding the tip with my other hand. Hope that makes sense.

's probably right, as usual, sore musles.

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Not sure what adjusting the tool rest would do. The tool must be horizontal, and at close to the center of the piece. If you lower the tool rest, does that imply you are suggesting taking an angled approach to the work - if so, don't do it

As long as the line of the shaft points to the centre of the work the tool will work the same so lowering the toolrest will let me lower the handle to a more comfortable position.

Originally Posted by dai sensei

I must admit I take an unusual hold for the tool. I have a long handle and hold it half way along, then use my elbow (of the same arm) to ballance the end of the handle, whilst guiding the tip with my other hand. Hope that makes sense.

's probably right, as usual, sore musles.

Tried that method Neil and that's what made my wrist sore - forearm along the handle left the wrist too angled.

Originally Posted by hughie

Nah, the poor old bloke is just getting old......

that's my excuse Hughie

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Not sure what adjusting the tool rest would do. The tool must be horizontal, and at close to the center of the piece. If you lower the tool rest, does that imply you are suggesting taking an angled approach to the work - if so, don't do it

I must admit I take an unusual hold for the tool. I have a long handle and hold it half way along, then use my elbow (of the same arm) to ballance the end of the handle, whilst guiding the tip with my other hand. Hope that makes sense.

's probably right, as usual, sore musles.

Neil. As long as the tool is pointing at the centre (at right angles to the timber) it does not matter where the rest is.

By dropping the rest and "aiming" the tool at the centre (in fact just below) your arm assumes a more natural position.

The only reason that I don't bother moving the rest is that it is set for my type of stance when using "real tools".

Vern and you are right - dropping the rest and the handle will keep the tool at the correct angle - My concern over this advice/thought is if beginners/learners/less experienced turners try this and then keep the tool level the consequences could be very scary.

Probably a better idea is to get a pallet to stand on or just sweep the shavings under your feet to get you higher off the floor.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Calm

Vern and you are right - dropping the rest and the handle will keep the tool at the correct angle - My concern over this advice/thought is if beginners/learners/less experienced turners try this and then keep the tool level the consequences could be very scary.

Cheers

Scraping to low isn't scary. Its scraping to high. That's when catches result in dig ins.

Zaccly.

Originally Posted by NeilS

Vern - put a longer handle on mine and also use it with the bevel rubbing, so held in similar position to big gouges. Can't say I have noticed any extra muscles after a long session of roughing blanks (large, small or irregular).

FWIW - pic of my handle attached. Also use mine with the toolrest right down. Frank ground the heel of mine back (Pic 2) so I could rub the bevel while cutting. He reckoned my tool presentation was close to 50°.

.....

Vern didn't stipulate the exact circumstances of his mis-adventure, and Joe is certainly not clairvoyant. He just guessed that toolrest height is one of the variables (among many others) that affect comfort and effectiveness.

Cheers,
Joe

Vern didn't stipulate the exact circumstances of his mis-adventure, and Joe is certainly not clairvoyant. He just guessed that toolrest height is one of the variables (among many others) that affect comfort and effectiveness.

I have my lathes a bit higher than the norm and so it would have an effect on me as well. Although I don't normally rough out for such a extended time.

One of the aspects that does not appeal to me with this sort of tool is the need to keep cutting edge as close as possible to the tool rest at all time, or deal with forces that will occur as you move the pivot point to less favourable positions.

On roughing out it means allot of tool rest movement etc especially if it a big piece as indicated by Vern.

if the problem is vibration try a fishing rod grip makes the tool soo easy to hold on to . otherwise a hardwood handle filled with lead shot also takes the pain away . if the lathe is too high try a few besser blocks ? a little pain should not stop us having fun