Using a Wood Lathe

Lesson 4 - Tool Process in Spindle Turning Exercise A-I-4-a. VCutting

In cutting V’s, a small skew is almost always used and the cutting is done with the heel. Place the chisel square on the tool rest so that the cutting edge is perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder. Draw the chisel back and raise the handle so that the heel is driven into the wood, thus scoring it. This cut should not be too deep or the chisel will burn. This scoring should be at the exact center of the V cut. Swing the handle a little to the right and at the same time tip the chisel so that the grind, which forms the cutting edge, is at an angle of about 45° with the axis of the cylinder. The handle is then raised at an angle of 45° bringing the heel down to make a good cut. The chisel is then swung to the other side and a similar cut is taken. These cuts are continued, together with the center scoring, until quite close to the pencil marks. Test the angle before the ?nishing cut is taken. It will be found best to have the V slightly greater than 90° at the base until the ?nal cut is made, at which time it can be trued up. The V should be tested with the square end of a rule. The cylinder should not be in motion while testing. When angles other than 45° are cut, the cutting edge of the chisel should be tipped so that it is parallel, or nearly so, to the side of the cut desired.

Exercise A-I-4-a

Exercise A-I-4-b