You just bought a new lathe and the first thing you want to do it begin working on your new project. but before you get going, hold on for a few minutes. Before you turn on the power switch there are a few things you need to know. That means learning about the lathe cutting cutting tools and what they can do.
Your lathe is important, but it’s the tools that determine how you will transform an ordinary piece of wood into something more beautiful. So knowing the tools and the power and potential they have is vital if you want a great finished project.
There are, quite frankly, a lot of lathe cutting tools. We don’t expect you to know all of them at first. But there are four primary tools that will be used on just about every project so those are the ones we’ll talk about here. We know there’s no better way to learn then by actually doing the work, but having this knowledge first will get you heading in the right direction.
Facing Tools: If you are going to use a wood lathe, you are going to be using facing tools all the time. These tools are ground such that they will provide clearance with an open center. You are going to get to know these tools very well, and it’s equally important to know the tools you’ll use to make them sharp and keep them that way.
Roughing Tools: You can figure out what these tools do just by the name. These lathe cutting tools have a relief angle on the side designed to give you a very deep cut. You will use these frequently, but they are not designed to complete the project.
Finishing Tools: The finishing tools come out when you are just about done. These tools have rounded tips and are designed to make your finish nice and smooth. There are not rakes on these tools so there is no danger in cutting the wood with them
Left-Handed Cutting Tools: No you don’t need to be a lefty to use these. They are so-named because they are designed to give you a nice cut when moving from left to right. These left-handed tools can give you a number of different effects you would otherwise not be able to get.
Understanding these various tools and their specific uses will give you a much better idea of how to get results from your wood turning lathe. Remember, all of that spinning will not mean a thing unless it is accompanied by the use of the right lathe cutting tools.
You will want to study the variations among these four tool types and you will want to develop a strong acquaintance with all of them. That is why we recommend practicing with the various lathe cutting tools on scrap 2″ x 4″ wood pieces. With a little time behind the lathe, you will begin to understand what each tool can really do and the best way to do it.
Then, when you have a strong sense of how the cutting tools perform, you can finally get started on your first project!
To read additional information about lathe cutting tools and how to use your wood turning lathe, make certain to browse our website at WoodTurningLathe.net. You’ll also find great prices on all the wood turning equipment you will need.