You just purchased your very own wood turning lathe and you're excited to get started on your first project. If you're new to lathe work, take a deep breath. You'll want to improve your knowledge base before you flip the power switch on your lathe. Specifically, you'll need to learn about the various types of lathe cutting tools.
Your lathe is important, but it's the tools that determine how you will transform an ordinary piece of wood into something more beautiful. So knowing the tools and the power and potential they have is vital if you want a great finished project.
There are, quite frankly, a lot of lathe cutting tools. We don't expect you to know all of them at first. But there are four primary tools that will be used on just about every project so those are the ones we'll talk about here. We know there's no better way to learn then by actually doing the work, but having this knowledge first will get you heading in the right direction.
Facing Tools: If you spend much time at your lathe, you will find yourself using facing tools on a regular basis. These cutting tools are ground in a way that provides clearance with an open center. Prepare to develop a very close relationship with your facing tools and the equipment you will use to keep them sharp.
Roughing Tools: These tools do just as the name implies. You'll need them to get the look you want, but they will not be the tools you use to finish a project. If you need deeper cuts, the relief angle on these lathe cutting tools will provide them.
Finishing Tools: You will use these tools when it is time to round things out and to smother over your handiwork. Finishing tools have rounded tips and they are rake-free, making it impossible to cut with them.
Left-Handed Cutting Tools: You do not need to be a southpaw to use these cutting tools. Their specifically created to produce great results when moved from left to right. Left-handed tools can be used to produce a number of different effects.
You can spin wood all day and not get good results without knowledge of these basic tools and how to use them. But now that you understand these lathe cutting tools, you'll at least be able to get off to a good start.
Each of the four tools we mentioned has several variations and you will need some time to become familiar with them. That means practicing. It's really the only way to learn. Don't fire up your lathe and immediately begin a project. Instead, lock in a scrap piece of wood and spend some time becoming familiar with the tools. It will take a little time, but you will learn how to best utilize each one and what each one can accomplish.
Then, when you have a strong sense of how the cutting tools perform, you can finally get started on your first project!
Your lathe is important, but it's the tools that determine how you will transform an ordinary piece of wood into something more beautiful. So knowing the tools and the power and potential they have is vital if you want a great finished project.
There are, quite frankly, a lot of lathe cutting tools. We don't expect you to know all of them at first. But there are four primary tools that will be used on just about every project so those are the ones we'll talk about here. We know there's no better way to learn then by actually doing the work, but having this knowledge first will get you heading in the right direction.
Facing Tools: If you spend much time at your lathe, you will find yourself using facing tools on a regular basis. These cutting tools are ground in a way that provides clearance with an open center. Prepare to develop a very close relationship with your facing tools and the equipment you will use to keep them sharp.
Roughing Tools: These tools do just as the name implies. You'll need them to get the look you want, but they will not be the tools you use to finish a project. If you need deeper cuts, the relief angle on these lathe cutting tools will provide them.
Finishing Tools: You will use these tools when it is time to round things out and to smother over your handiwork. Finishing tools have rounded tips and they are rake-free, making it impossible to cut with them.
Left-Handed Cutting Tools: You do not need to be a southpaw to use these cutting tools. Their specifically created to produce great results when moved from left to right. Left-handed tools can be used to produce a number of different effects.
You can spin wood all day and not get good results without knowledge of these basic tools and how to use them. But now that you understand these lathe cutting tools, you'll at least be able to get off to a good start.
Each of the four tools we mentioned has several variations and you will need some time to become familiar with them. That means practicing. It's really the only way to learn. Don't fire up your lathe and immediately begin a project. Instead, lock in a scrap piece of wood and spend some time becoming familiar with the tools. It will take a little time, but you will learn how to best utilize each one and what each one can accomplish.
Then, when you have a strong sense of how the cutting tools perform, you can finally get started on your first project!
About the Author:
To read additional information about lathe cutting tools and how to use your wood turning lathe, make sure to browse our website at WoodTurningLathe.net. You'll also find great deals on all the wood turning gear you will need.
