Captive ring tool help.

[shedhead]

I bought myself a Crown Captive ring tool this week from Crown Tools. It is the one that cut both Left and Right, just with turning the tool to face the opposite direction.
What i find is that when the ring has been cut free, the wood is not cut smooth. I have only been practicing on waste wood ie pine and old pitch pine. This might be why i have not got a clear cut but more of a splintered cut. Wood might be too soft?
Can i get any tips on how to start this cut off. Or is there any tutorials or video's i can watch??

 

[cornucopia]

which bits not smooth? the inside of the ring is never smooth, you have to sand that by taping a bit of sandpaper to the stem of the goblet. if you mean the outside of the ring? you wont get a great finish in pine and have you sharpened it?
the best way to start a ring of is to cut a bead and then undercut it with your tool to form a ring. in the sorby sytem you get three tools bead cutter -left side ring- right side ring.
It also helps if you have your rest slightly high so that your tool handles raised but your still cutting on centre.