Would this approach of elevating the handle until the bevel touches work for
pen turning?

If so about how low relative to the pen mandrel should I set the tool rest?

Russ
"Dan Bollinger" wrote in message
news
Dan,
OK, that's helpful. I had set my toolrest at about the centerline of
the wood piece. Maybe if I set it a fraction higher that would allow
me a bit more of a downward angle. Or maybe move the toolrest a bit
further away (I was within 1/4" last time) to again allow for a more
downward angle. Does this sound about right? Also, yes, I know I need
to get some videos and books; I think I made a poor choice in my first
book entitled something like (sic) "Mini lathe: big projects from a
small lathe". I think I need a real basic book or video that's not
really project oriented, but technique oriented. Any suggestions on
that?
Thanks again,
Steve

Steve, Not quite! For gouge work, keep the tool rest close and a little
below the centerline. That will support the tool well and put the cutting
edge on the centerline. But don't just shove the gouge into the wood!
Try this. Hold the gouge with handle pointing toward the floor and
cutting edge toward the ceiling, and touching the tool rest. Slowly raise
the handle. As you do the bottom of the gouge will rub on the wood. Keep
raising the handle, and the place were the wood rubs will move toward the
cutting edge. When you begin to get shavings, freeze! That's the proper
angle. What you want is the wood rubbing lightly on the bevel.

Dan












Dan Bollinger wrote:
Apologies if this is really stupid:
I just received my new Jet mini lathe and Pinacle tools from
Woodcraft.
I have turned only once, many years ago. I honed the tools with some
rouge and then used the lathe. My cuts are really really rough, and I
think I'm just ripping the wood. How clean should I expect my cuts to
be? Does the wood species matter in this? Is it that my tools are
dull, or is my cutting technique poor, or both?
Thanks,


I'm going to guess that you are using your chisels and gouges as if they
were
scrapers. That will produce a rough finish and is the most common
mistake
beginners make. It is true that Scrapers are used with the tool held
horizontally, so the cutting edge scrapes along the spinning wood. But,
Chisels
and Gouges are held with their handles dropped, pointing downwards.
This causes
the cutting bevel (the underside portion you honed) to rub on the wood,
presenting the cutting edge to the wood.

Try this. Get a 2x4 and put it in a vise or clamp it to a table. Now,
pick up
your sharpened gouge and make a cut in the wood. Notice how you
instinctively
move the handle from vertical to an angle matching the cutting angle?
That's
the trick! It's just a little trickier with spinning, round wood, but
the idea
is the same.

I suggest finding a local turner to show you the basics, or get one of
the
turning videos. Dan