Robust Lathe Review - More Woodturning

Figure 3. The pen has been completely turned and is ready to beparted off at the headstock end.Figure 4. Parting off the finish turned pen with the oval skew chisel.Figure 5. The finished pen with the Bic Insert fitted into the wood.The hole had been drilled 9/64” and had to be enlarged to 5/32” toallow the shoulder of the insert to fit into the wood.use. In fact all of the tools had to besharpened before they were useable.After hand sanding the little bumpleft after parting off, I applied agenerous coating of Kerf’s WoodCreme, a wax that I use on most ofmy small pieces. The finished penis shown in Figure 5.Figure 6 shows the little bowlthat was turned with the gouge. Theshape of this gouge makes a fairlydecent small bowl gouge. Since Ihad to sharpen it, I shaped the cuttingend as close to the Ellsworthgrind as I could do freehand. It cutbeautifully on both the outside andthe inside. The tool was still cuttingas well when I finished the bowl asit was when I started. I consider thisan indication of unusual edge holdingcapability.I did try the parting tool and itperformed very well, something thatmost parting tools do when they aresharp and this one did need sharpening.In fact, almost all new tools onthe market require sharpening beforeuse. This is one of the problemthat beginners often encounter. Theyexpect that new tool the just boughtto be sharp and ready to use. Unfortunately,that is seldom the case.Most manufacturers grind the tool toshape, but do not put an extremelysharp edge on the tools.My next test was of the Pinnacle©Cryogenic 5 Piece MiniatureSet. This is a little beauty ofminiature turning tools. These toolsare designed for turning miniaturepieces like I used to turn when I wasdoing craft shows. It makes a nicedemonstration to turn a miniaturegoblet while potential customersstand and watch the turning progress.[Continued on Page 24.]More Woodturning February 2010 Page 23