Lathe Chisel

jerrylwatson@gm

jerrylwatson@gm

Jerry
As a hobby I just got a Jet varible speed lathe with bed extender. Can someone recommend a good Wood Lathe Chisel(s) for turning down square blanks I got fron Cue Componets. Most sets I see look like they have many chisels that I wood not use (for making spindles, etc.)

Thanks
 
jerrylwatson@gm said:
As a hobby I just got a Jet varible speed lathe with bed extender. Can someone recommend a good Wood Lathe Chisel(s) for turning down square blanks I got fron Cue Componets. Most sets I see look like they have many chisels that I wood not use (for making spindles, etc.)

Thanks
Click to expand...

There is a Usenet group called rec.crafts.woodturning - IIRC
that could give you lots of help - I doubt many here turn spindles by hand.

HTH
Dale
 
Make sure you knock the corners off first on a band saw.
I know a local maker whose son took a nice splinter thru his forearm when he gouged on wood too aggressively one time.
 
I've been a hobby woodworker all my life and recently got a mini-lathe just to make one specific project that I just couldn't easily do on my metal lathe or my cue lathe. I bought a "set" of 5 tools that include 2 sizes of gouges, a skew chisel, a parting tool, and a scraper. I used all all of the tools on this one project. the project was a hershey kiss shaped candy dish with lid.

The reason I'm saying this is if you bought a lathe you need all the tools as well. I think you are better off getting a set of complete basic tools like I did and save money, rather than just buy one tool and limit yourself to what you can make.

I have been using only metal and cue lathes for the past 10 years. When I made this one project on this mini wood lathe, it was almost addictive. You might find you really like turing things (other than pool related I'm referring to) and you will then find the basic 5 piece chisel sets indispensable.
 
If your not willing to pay a sh@tload of money for a basic set of chisels just for a simple one time use, you can go to Harbor freight and by a cheap set for about $40 and go from there. I know most tool suppliers are alot more. The only drawback is they need to be sharpened more often, as they're not a high quality of steel, but it get's your feet wet, and if you decide you like it, then you can get a better set afterwards. If you decide that it's not something you like, your not out $150.
Depending on the type of wood you bought, it may not be an easy task to turn with ordinary tools. I would do some googling to see the workability of the wood you have as some will require carbide tipped chisels to be effective and safe. I gave some purpleheart to my dad, who has worked with alot of woods, but not anything like purpleheart. I told him to knock off the edges and be very careful, and the first try, he didn't knock off the edges, and sent the chisel flying across the room as soon as he touched the chisel to the piece.
Dave
 
jerrylwatson@gm said:
As a hobby I just got a Jet varible speed lathe with bed extender. Can someone recommend a good Wood Lathe Chisel(s) for turning down square blanks I got fron Cue Componets. Most sets I see look like they have many chisels that I wood not use (for making spindles, etc.)

Thanks
Click to expand...

Ok Jerry, are you going to try and makes cues? No one has come and just said we don't make cues on wood lathes. They are great for making pens or bowls. They are just not good for cues. If you have an interest in cues, I would recomend first Chris Hightowers cue building books and videos. Second, I think Joe at Cue Componants still has his videos at a greatly reduce price. If you are just wanting to make one cue go for Hightowers book.

good luck, Jim.
 
JoeyInCali said:
Make sure you knock the corners off first on a band saw.
I know a local maker whose son took a nice splinter thru his forearm when he gouged on wood too aggressively one time.
Click to expand...

All good advise. I think I will get a good set of chisels. I am not tring to start a new career I just wanted to make my own butt and get a preditor or OB-1 shaft for it.

Joey I do not have a band saw but I do have a good router/table. Could this work to accomplish the same thing. I assume you want to round off as much as possible. A couple of the blanks are purpleheart which I know is a very hard wood.

I know this can be done (see image).

Thanks
 

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I recomend Chris Hightower's book on cue building, as he describes how to make one on a woodlathe, accurately.
Dave
 
jerrylwatson@gm said:
Joey I do not have a band saw but I do have a good router/table. Could this work to accomplish the same thing. I assume you want to round off as much as possible. A couple of the blanks are purpleheart which I know is a very hard wood.

I know this can be done (see image).

Thanks
Click to expand...
Yes with a bull nose bit.
 
Jerry; Have you given any thought as to how you are going to get the hole for the joint screw, PERFECTLY in the center?...JER
 
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