Replies

1. 
   DonStephan | Apr 11, 2007 02:54am | #1

   The books by Mike Darlow I think are very good. Richard Raffan's book "Turning Wood" is also worth reading. The video by Richard Raffan titled "Turning Wood" shows sharpening the main tools.

   My understanding is that larger strips come off green (wet) wood, which I've never turned. Sharpened tools however will remove dry wood more quickly and cleanly than dull ones.

2. 
   THintz | Apr 11, 2007 10:57am | #2

   The long strings come off of some species of wood when it is wet. The shavings you are getting from dry wood are probably right on the money.

   i would search tne Internet for sharpening info. There is lots of it out there. I have the Raffan video mentioned earlier and it does show the basics of sharpening. The only problem with Raffan videos is you have to forget the speed at which he does things! The guy has a ton of experience, lots of it in a production environment and is way faster at just about everything that we can hope to be and still be safe.

   Tom Hintz

   Because there is always more to learn!

3. 
   Pippins | Apr 11, 2007 03:02pm | #3

   shamrock, you might consider joining one of the local chapters of the AAW. You can get some hands on instruction. Please see AAW web site for list of chapters.

   http://www.woodturner.org/

    

4. 
   TRNY | Apr 12, 2007 04:21am | #4

   Sharp tools are very important. Being able to sharpen them in under ten seconds in priceless.
   Check out this web site http://www.bigtreetools.com

5. 
   Napie | Apr 12, 2007 04:10pm | #5

   First, don’t go for any jigs, learn to sharpen by eye because you’ll be doing it a lot, a 60 grit white wheel on your grinder is all you need.  After some practice, you can grind a fingernail bevel in seconds, scrapers are even easier.  Second, the sharpest tools in the world will not help if your technique is wrong, with gouges are you rubbing the bevel all the time?  Also, those long ribbons of wood come from turning green stock, and practicing on firewood is great, it’s free, you end up a lot of garden mulch and you get really good with your tools.  Raffen’s books and videos are the best resources have seen.

6. 
   mike4244 | Apr 12, 2007 08:04pm | #6

   I agree with Naple that you do not need any fancy jigs to sharpen your lathe tools. One thing that may help you if you are using a grinder with 3450 rpms. Turn the grinder on, let it come up to full speed,turn it off and then proceed to grind .When the wheel stops,check the grind,repeat as neccesary. I found that I can grind gouges or skews with ease because I have better control as the wheel slows.Usually it only takes one or two times to get a good grind.

   If you do not have a grinder yet, opt for a 1750 rpm  with an 8" friable wheel .There are many good turning books that show you how to sharpen a gouge or chisel.

   mike

7. 
   Steve50 | Apr 13, 2007 02:27am | #7

   As another suggested, get with an AAW chapter.  The AAW has a video on this subject.  http://www.woodturner.org/products/videos/fundamental_sharp/

   I disagree with the suggestions sharpen without any jigs particularly for new woodturners.  Those turners with a lot of experience do this because they have the experience to know exactly what grind they want.  Most new turners do not know what shape to grind their tools to nor typically have the control while grinding to maintain a constant and even bevel.  So for the rest of us "mere mortals" we need the jigs.  I recommend the Oneway Wolverine jig.

   Steve

1. 
   Napie | Apr 13, 2007 04:19pm | #9

   I completely disagree.  I am a mere mortal and I knew absolutely nothing about turning or grinding turning tools when I started, just what I had read in Raffen’s books.  I taught myself to grind by eye and never developed a reliance on any high priced jigs.  I may have lost a bit of length on a gouge or two, but that is a lot less expensive than most jigs out there, and I can touch the edge up in seconds and keep cutting wood.  Why spend all that cash on a fancy jig that takes up space, and is slow to use when you could use it to buy a better lathe, more gouges, a good steak dinner, well you get my point.

   <!----><!----> <!---->

   FWIW, I turn out a couple hundred bowls and platters a year, plus rolling pins, pepper grinders etc. and this is just a hobby, turning is a nice break from furniture because it is immediate.  Spending money on more gadgets will not make you a better turner, turning makes you a better turner.

   Edited 4/13/2007 9:20 am ET by Napie

8. 
   sapwood | Apr 13, 2007 02:50am | #8

   First off: Are you using scraping or cutting tools? The shavings will be vastly different between these two general classifications. You cannot expect large chips or curls from a scraper. Also, in turning, size doesn't matter. It's the quality of the shaving that is more important.