Using chairmaking tools?

[TobyB]

Trying again at a carved stool seat. After advice here, when I was at the show in Harrogate last month, I bought an inshave curved drawknife and a travisher.

The travisher is on of Tom Thackrays ... http://www.tomthackraywindsorchairs.co.uk/Tools.htm... played with it on his stand and was very impressed. Still am. Cutting across the gain, pushing the tool, it has cleared wood and by approaching from one side or the other, cut fairly cleanly without tearout.

Not sure I can claim the same success with the inshave. It's an very sharp, comfortably-handled Ray Iles tool. But I've made very little in the way of "clean cuts" trying it with and across the grain - gouged and torn off bits of wood. I am trying to rub the bevel - is this right? Are there tricks or tips anyone can offer in how to use the tool. I had hoped it would do the "coarser" cuts. and the travisher would smooth things after.

I'm struggling with this tool - may do the whole thing with the travisher - never used a straight drawknife, let alone a curved one. can I use it in any plane, or do I have to work with/against/across the grain. How do I control light cuts or deep ones. At least I know it's a pull-tool, so not trying to push!

Anyone got any expert advice?

 

[AndyT]

I've only very limited experience on this - one short course some time ago - but as nobody else has answered...

From what I remember, the inshave was difficult - as you say! - and you needed the curve in the length of the blade and the curve on the bevel to be less than the shape you were trying to finish. It would then take a controlled cut, across the grain or skewed a bit and slicing. Bevel rubbing sounds right.

It was a help at the time to have several different tools to choose from - which I think was about getting the right shape for the curve to be finished. So it could just be that your one is not quite right for the shape you are making.

Hth.

 

[Argus]

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In my experience, if you are bottoming a seat, whatever you use, travisher, inshave or scorp, you attack cross the grain, usually in a diagonal, down ward direction. Never with the direction of the grain as it will dig in or split.
Even so, all these are roughing out tools; finish with a curved scraper.
My favourite tool for this is a combination of travisher and a small plane with the sole rounded in both directions.

Personally, I dislike finishing with abrasives at all and prefer to work down with well sharpened blades and a scraper.

But as you progress you will develop your own collection of tools and techniques.


Hope this helps.



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[PAC1]

The last three seats I have made I have used Tom's Travisher and found it fast and efficient. I then put some 60 grade sandpaper on my orbital and worked my way through the grades

 

[TobyB]

Ah - someone else who likes the travisher! Thanks for the thoughts on the inshave - I hoped it might be good for shifting more wood quicker - will try skewing across the grain ...