This video describes and demonstrates the proper use of the parting tool on a lathe. Cutting technique as well as different uses for the tool are covered.
Thank you Dave, for an excellent, no-nonsense, crisp, to the point, very informative, without any background music, instructional video about the parting tool. You are truly a wonderful instructor.
A most excellent video - many thanks for making it. I've been out of turning for over a year and wanted a refresher on using the parting tool. Your close-up video is EXACTLY what I needed! More like this, please!! :-)
Useful video, thanks. Can you get catches with a parting tool, for example when going from scraping up to shearing as you showed? Or is it relatively dummy friendly?
I have never had a catch with a parting tool. Had my share with skews, spindle gouges and bowl gouges, but never a parting tool. I imagine if you were to just push it in somewhere between a scraping cut and a shearing cut you could create a catch. The trick is to ride the bevel and then lift the handle to enter the cut. I tried to show this the best I could in the video.
Dave's Woodshop Thank you for the reply. I understand about riding the bevel first so will do that. My parting tool is flat sides, doesn't have the ridges (at least I assume it's still a parting tool), so I wonder if catches are more likely. I'm super nervous of them now as I keep catching my skew no matter how many videos I watch and how much I think I've understood! So I thought I'd try and use the parting tool as much as possible instead.
Totally understand your concern. A skew is really tricky to learn how to use properly. Raising the tool rest is required for safe cutting. Use the lower portion of the tool and don't go anywhere near the top point. Keep the angle of the skew at a 45 degree angle to the turning blank. As before ride bevel and slowly lift the handle to begin cutting. I also have parting tools without the ridge on the side. No difference at all. You should be fine. There is a really cool tool called a Spindlemaster that replaces the skew with 0 chance of having a catch. You can use that until you develop your skew technique. When I started turning I would just practice with the skew and a piece of scrap wood every day for a few minutes until I learned how to use it. Good Luck and hope this helps.
Speed is directly related to the diameter of the piece being turned. The spindles in the above demo are relatively small so they are turned at a fast rate. As the pieces get larger you slow down the rate of speed.
Thank you Dave, for an excellent, no-nonsense, crisp, to the point, very informative, without any background music, instructional video about the parting tool. You are truly a wonderful instructor.
Thanks so much for the compliment. I was a schoolteacher for 40 years so hopefully some of that skillset carried over into my hobby.
A most excellent video - many thanks for making it. I've been out of turning for over a year and wanted a refresher on using the parting tool. Your close-up video is EXACTLY what I needed! More like this, please!! :-)
This was very enlightening. You are a great teacher.
Thank you so much for posting this. I really appreciate your video. Super helpful, Dave!
Very helpful. Thank you for taking the time to share this.
This was super helpful. Thank you!
Very helpful, thanks!!
What size parting tool are you using in this video?
Useful video, thanks. Can you get catches with a parting tool, for example when going from scraping up to shearing as you showed? Or is it relatively dummy friendly?
I have never had a catch with a parting tool. Had my share with skews, spindle gouges and bowl gouges, but never a parting tool. I imagine if you were to just push it in somewhere between a scraping cut and a shearing cut you could create a catch. The trick is to ride the bevel and then lift the handle to enter the cut. I tried to show this the best I could in the video.
Dave's Woodshop Thank you for the reply. I understand about riding the bevel first so will do that. My parting tool is flat sides, doesn't have the ridges (at least I assume it's still a parting tool), so I wonder if catches are more likely. I'm super nervous of them now as I keep catching my skew no matter how many videos I watch and how much I think I've understood! So I thought I'd try and use the parting tool as much as possible instead.
Totally understand your concern. A skew is really tricky to learn how to use properly. Raising the tool rest is required for safe cutting. Use the lower portion of the tool and don't go anywhere near the top point. Keep the angle of the skew at a 45 degree angle to the turning blank. As before ride bevel and slowly lift the handle to begin cutting. I also have parting tools without the ridge on the side. No difference at all. You should be fine. There is a really cool tool called a Spindlemaster that replaces the skew with 0 chance of having a catch. You can use that until you develop your skew technique. When I started turning I would just practice with the skew and a piece of scrap wood every day for a few minutes until I learned how to use it. Good Luck and hope this helps.
Dave's Woodshop Thank you for taking the time to share these tips. I'm gradually getting my head round it all! I'll check out that tool too.
What width is the parting tool? 1/4 inch?
Should the rpm's be high when doing these cuts?
Speed is directly related to the diameter of the piece being turned. The spindles in the above demo are relatively small so they are turned at a fast rate. As the pieces get larger you slow down the rate of speed.