The Turner’s Arsenal

A Guide to Different Woodturning Tools and Their Usage

Woodturning is a captivating craft that transforms humble blocks of wood into elegant bowls, intricate spindles, and a myriad of artistic forms. At the heart of this transformation lies a diverse array of specialised tools, each designed to perform a specific function. Understanding the different types of woodturning tools and their proper usage is fundamental for any aspiring or experienced turner.

There are many carbide tip tools now flooding the market and these do give good results if used carefully but most experienced woodturners will tell you that they should be in addition to the traditional gouges and chisels so that you learn these tools first. They will also tell you to learn through spindle turning first before you move to bowl turning. A turner who has never mastered spindle turning will get stuck in the rut of just bowl turning and will probably lose interest. It is the wide variation of projects that create the challenge.

1. Gouges: The Versatile Carvers

Gouges are arguably the most versatile tools in woodturning, recognised by their fluted, U-shaped, or V-shaped cross-section. The specific shape and grind dictate their primary use.

Spindle Roughing Gouge: 

Appearance: Large, deep flute, often with a straight or slightly curved bevel.

Usage: Designed for quickly reducing square stock to a round cylinder (roughing out) when turning between centres (spindle turning). Its robust design can handle aggressive cuts along the grain on a spindle. Crucially, it should never be used for hollowing bowls or faceplate turning, as the deep flute can grab and cause a catastrophic catch or even snap the tang (the narrow bit that goues into the handle).

Spindle Gouge:

Appearance: Shallower flute than a roughing gouge, available in various sizes (e.g., 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″). Often ground with a fingernail or swept-back grind.

Usage: Used for creating coves, beads, and intricate details on spindle work. The shallower flute allows for finer control and less aggressive cutting. The fingernail grind allows for smooth, flowing cuts in both push and pull directions.

Bowl Gouge:

Appearance: Deeper, more substantial flute than spindle gouges, with a thicker shaft for strength. Typically has a swept-back “fingernail” grind or Irish grind.

Usage: The workhorse for bowl turning. Used for shaping the exterior and hollowing the interior of bowls and other faceplate projects. The deep flute efficiently clears shavings, and the swept-back wings help prevent catches and allow for smooth shearing cuts. Available in various sizes for different bowl dimensions.

2. Skew Chisel: The Precision Planer

The skew chisel is a challenging but incredibly rewarding tool to master, known for its ability to produce incredibly smooth, planed surfaces.

Appearance: A flat bar of steel with the cutting edge ground at an angle (skewed) to the long axis of the tool. Can have a flat or rounded (domed) edge.

Usage: Planing Cuts: Used to create incredibly smooth, glass-like surfaces on spindle work, often eliminating the need for sanding.

V-Cuts: The acute point can be used to cut crisp V-grooves.

Beads: The rounded heel of a domed skew can be used to form perfectly rounded beads.

Trimming: Excellent for trimming end grain cleanly.

Roll Cuts: A unique rolling action produces long, thin shavings and a very smooth finish.

Mastery Required: The skew has a steep learning curve. Improper technique can lead to aggressive catches, so practice is essential.

3. Scrapers: The Shaping Finishers

Scrapers are designed for cutting by scraping action rather than a shearing cut. They are excellent for refining shapes and creating smooth surfaces, particularly on faceplate work.

Appearance: Flat, often thick bars of steel with various profiles (round, square, half-round, tear-drop, swan neck). They are typically ground with a blunt bevel (70-80 degrees) and then a burr is turned on the top edge with a burnishing tool.

Usage:

Initial Shaping: Can be used for rough shaping, though they generate more heat and dust than gouges.

Refining Curves: Excellent for smoothing out curves and complex profiles on bowls and platters.

Bottom Flattening: Flat scrapers are invaluable for levelling the bottom of hollow forms.

Shear Scraping: By presenting the scraper at an angle to the wood, a more shearing action can be achieved, leading to a cleaner cut and smoother finish.

Types:

Round Nose Scraper: Versatile for general shaping and smoothing curves.

Square Scraper: Ideal for creating flat surfaces, shoulders, and tenons.

Half-Round Scraper: Useful for inside curves on bowls.

Swan Neck Scraper: Designed with a bend to reach into undercut areas of hollow forms.

4. Parting Tools: The Separators

Parting tools are designed for making narrow cuts to sever work from the lathe or to create grooves.

Appearance: Thin, chisel-like tools, often with a pointed or diamond-shaped profile.

Usage:

Parting Off: Used to cut a finished piece cleanly from the waste block on the lathe.

Sizing: Creating precise tenons or mortises by cutting to a specific diameter.

Grooves: Cutting decorative or functional grooves.

Types:

Standard Parting Tool: A basic, pointed parting tool.

Fluted Parting Tool: Has a slight flute to help clear shavings.

Diamond Parting Tool: Tapered to reduce friction and minimise burning in deep cuts.

Beading and Parting Tool: Combines the function of parting with the ability to form beads.

5. Specialised Tools (Beyond the Basics)

As turners advance, they often add more specialised tools to their collection:

Hollowing Tools: For creating deep, narrow openings in hollow forms where bowl gouges cannot reach. They often have articulated or curved shanks and replaceable cutters.

Chucking Jaws/Dovetail Tools: Used to cut specific profiles (e.g., dovetail tenons or recesses) that fit into lathe chucks for secure work holding.

Detail Tools: Smaller versions of gouges and chisels for very fine work and intricate details.

Texturing and Spiralling Tools: Create decorative patterns on the surface of the turned piece.

Bowl Coring Tools: Allow turners to remove multiple bowls from a single large blank, reducing waste.

6. Choosing and Caring for Your Tools

Quality Matters: Invest in good quality high-speed steel (HSS) tools. They hold an edge longer and are safer to use. Carbon steel tools are cheaper but require more frequent sharpening.

Handle Comfort: Choose tools with comfortable handles that fit your hand well.

Sharpening is Key: No tool, no matter how expensive, will perform well if it’s dull. Regular and proper sharpening is paramount.

Storage: Store tools safely to protect their edges from damage.

Mastering woodturning is an ongoing journey of learning and practice. By understanding the purpose and proper application of each tool in your arsenal, you’ll unlock greater control, precision, and enjoyment in your craft, allowing you to bring your creative visions to life on the lathe.