Delta 46-700 - Turning Techniques: Smoothing and Sizing; Smoothing Cylinders with Skew Chisel; Using the Parting Tool

In all tool handling, the handle hand takes a natural posi¬
tion, being nearer or further from the end of chisel depend¬
ing on the amount of leverage required. The position of
the tool rest hand is more a matter of individual liking
rather than any set or “proper” position. However, a palm-
up grip, as illustrated with the gouge, is generally con¬
sidered the best practice. In this position, the first finger
acts as a guide, as shown in Fig. 43, sliding along the too!
rest as the cut is made. The alternate position is a palm-
down grip, which is shown in Fig. 44. In this position, the
heel of the hand or the little finger serves as a guide. The
palm-down position is solid and positive-excellent for
roughing or heavy cutting. Most beginners start with the
palm-down grip, switching later to the palm-up position
for better manipulation of the chisel.
This operation is done with the large skew chisel. It
demands a little practice, but should be mastered
thoroughly because it is one of the most important cuts
in turning. Fig. 43 and 44 show how the chisel is held,
using either grip as desired. The cutting point is near the
center of chisel and high on the work, as shown in Fig. 45.
The chisel must be supported by the tool rest at all times
- in striving for a certain position in relation to the work,
the beginner often overlooks this all-important point.
Beginners often use the method shown in Fig. 45 to locate
the proper tool position. To do this, you place the skew
well over the work and riding-flat against it.
Pulling back slowly on the tool will eventually put it into
position where it will bite into the wood. Raising the handle
increases the depth of cut; lowering the handle makes the
cut less. As with the gouge, the skew can be advanced
in either direction. The part of the skew which does the
actual cutting is the center portion and toward the heel.
It is worthwhile to stop a test cut in progress and note just
how the skew cuts. You will note that the back portion of
the grind or bevel supports the tool, and the handle hand
controls the depth of cut by rocking the chisel on this pivot
point. For this reason it is important that the skew bevel
be kept perfectly flat, not a double bevel nor rounded.
The parting tool is perhaps the easiest turning chisel to
handle. It is a scraping tool, and is simply pushed into the
work, as shown in Figs. 46, 47 and 48. A somewhat bet¬
ter cutting action is obtained if the handle is held low,
raising gradually as the work diameter decreases, as
shown in Fig. 46. The tool is frequently used with one
hand, the other hand holding calipers in the groove being
cut. When parting tool cuts are deep, a clearance cut
should be made alongside the first cut, as shown in
Fig. 47, to prevent burning the tool point.
Fig. 43
Fig. 44
Fig. 48
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