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Which turning tool do you use for turning blanks??

Terry

Chairman Plonker
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Jan 31, 2013
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I am curious to know what tools are your favourites when turning pen blanks. When I started my first pen the other day I was using a spindle gouge to turn the blanks to size but today I switched to using the skew chisel.
Since I started turning a year ago I have mostly turned bowls using a bowl gouge and various scrapers so it was good practice to use a spindle gouge and a skew. I think the skew will become my favourite as it gives such a clean cut with little sanding required.
The one thing about pen turning it does give one good practice in spindle turning.

Regards
Terry
 

ataylor

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I use a small roughing gouge and a Spindlemaster which works good for me. :bwink:
 

ataylor

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Thay are very easy to use mate, especially for the fine finishing on a pen blank, plus very easy to sharpen. :thumbs:
 

Jim

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Roughing gouge and skew for me, the skew does my shaping and the gouge clears the roughage ... :thumbs:
 

Mattyd

AKA 'The Dundee Redneck'
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I have a small gouge and a skew and a parting tool..... (Child's Size) my finishing cuts are with the skew...:nooidea:
 

yorkshireman

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20mm roughing gouge and 12mm skew does all my pens then sand to 400 grit and burnish with shavings
 

Jim

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I now have five skews Terry, and this was one of the scariest tools i had at one time ... The skew is a great tool and the one i like the best, and use the most has a round shaft ... :thumbs:
 

Jimjam66

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I started doing most work with the roughing gouge, but have got more and more into the skew. It's unforgiving of spupidity, but used right its very versatile. Curious about a Spindlemaster, though?
 

ataylor

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The Spindlemaster is a very good substitute for the skew, since i have been using this it has improved the overall finish of the wood which means less sanding. It is a very versatile tool, and one i would highly recommend if you and the skew don't get on. :thumbs:
 

ataylor

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Roughing gouge and skew for me also, thou i do have a spindlemaster which is great for bottle stoppers etc. :bwink:
 

Jim

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Oct 19, 2011
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Once you have taken of the point you have to bring it back on a sharpener, it will be very difficult to keep the same bevel but as long as it is near it will be fine. There is only so long you can sharpen these tools using the flat area, you will at sometime re-shape the bevel ..:thumbs:
 
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