Best Turning Tools For Large Bowls and Platters?
- Thread starter paulkane1
- Start date
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gregmcateer
Established Member
In my VERY LIMITED experience - the same bowl gouge I use for my smaller bowls and platters.
I am inexperienced and cannot justify spending loads on a large selection of tools that I probably won't use much. They seem to work fine on big and small stuff, (though I guess deep bowls will require heavier stock tools to avoid chatter).
Don't know your level of experience, but if not too much, just start on the smaller stuff and work your way up - if you find the tool isn't up to it, then look to get another one.
Anyone out there with experience please feel free to amend or refute the above!!
I am inexperienced and cannot justify spending loads on a large selection of tools that I probably won't use much. They seem to work fine on big and small stuff, (though I guess deep bowls will require heavier stock tools to avoid chatter).
Don't know your level of experience, but if not too much, just start on the smaller stuff and work your way up - if you find the tool isn't up to it, then look to get another one.
Anyone out there with experience please feel free to amend or refute the above!!
CHJ
Established Member
Don't be tempted to buy bigger diameter tools, (3/4-1") stock, 1/2" max should be adequate.
The important factor is your personal control of the tool, bigger diameter tools, dependant upon the grind tend to take bigger cuts/bigger loads, this needs more robust user control and applies larger load on the work piece.
Concentrate on developing user skills with the 'standard' gouges, move to bigger diameter stuff when you are turning something in the 3-6ft diameter on an appropriate lathe.
As someone relatively new to turning you might get away with using larger tools on a nice green log giving little resistance but the day you pick up the same tool to tackle a piece of dried oak could provide a sharp surprise.
On deep bowls, as smaller tools have a limited stiffness and handle length for control make sure you have tool rests to reach inside the bowl and as near the cutting edge as possible.
If making large diameter flat surface platters a thick stiff straight faced scraper use can be seen here can be very useful for planing any surface ridges out.
The important factor is your personal control of the tool, bigger diameter tools, dependant upon the grind tend to take bigger cuts/bigger loads, this needs more robust user control and applies larger load on the work piece.
Concentrate on developing user skills with the 'standard' gouges, move to bigger diameter stuff when you are turning something in the 3-6ft diameter on an appropriate lathe.
As someone relatively new to turning you might get away with using larger tools on a nice green log giving little resistance but the day you pick up the same tool to tackle a piece of dried oak could provide a sharp surprise.
On deep bowls, as smaller tools have a limited stiffness and handle length for control make sure you have tool rests to reach inside the bowl and as near the cutting edge as possible.
If making large diameter flat surface platters a thick stiff straight faced scraper use can be seen here can be very useful for planing any surface ridges out.
SVB
Established Member
As Chas says really - all good advice.
My prefered tool for all work of that type is a Henry Taylor HS1 Superflude gouge (5/8" iirc) that will cope with everything and more + allows either a traditional or swept back grind due to the parabolic rather than U shape of the flute.
S
My prefered tool for all work of that type is a Henry Taylor HS1 Superflude gouge (5/8" iirc) that will cope with everything and more + allows either a traditional or swept back grind due to the parabolic rather than U shape of the flute.
S
Terry - Somerset
Established Member
Nothing to add on the tools, but I'm not sure what you mean by larger - but you may need to think about the lathe you are using.
Even if a particular diameter is nominally within the stated capacity you may need either a very well balanced blank or very low speed initially to avoid severe vibration - possibly to the point that the work and lathe itself are uncontrollable and dangerous.
Good luck
Terry
Even if a particular diameter is nominally within the stated capacity you may need either a very well balanced blank or very low speed initially to avoid severe vibration - possibly to the point that the work and lathe itself are uncontrollable and dangerous.
Good luck
Terry
