Turning Circles

[Duiker]

Perhaps this is a daft question but if you were turning a spindle and wanted to cut as perfect a semicircle (convex or concave) as possible, how do you do it?

 

[Taffy Turner]

The short answer is - practice! :roll:

This is one of the measures of how good a turner really is - by how nearly perfectly semi-circular his/her beads and coves are. (Mine very rarely are by the way!)

Sorby do make a special tool for this, with an interchangaeble end for doing various sizes of coves and beads, but it is a bit expensive for what it is, and being a scraper, doesn't leave a great finish from what I have seen. This results in heavy sanding being required, which half the time ends up spoiling the profile. See here for details of the tool

http://www.robert-sorby.co.uk/

Coves are turned using a spindle gouge with a rolling and sweeping motion. Beads can also be done with spinde gouge, but I find them easier to do using a 3/8" beading and parting tool, or even a small skew chisel, although watch out for the dreaded catch!

Have a look here for an enourmous amount of information, including a downloadable beginner's guide to turning.

http://www.turningtools.co.uk/

The guide is here http://www.turningtools.co.uk/wtintro/wtintro.html

Also here for some videos - particularly beads and coves

http://www.turningtools.co.uk/videos/videos.html

I hope that this helps.

Regards

Gary

 

[Duiker]

Thanks Gary,

I'll check them out and let you know how I get on!

Mick

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Mick
just as Gary says... practise makes perfect.
For coves I use a Skewchy type gouge (or whatever suitable tool happens to be in the hand) but whatever you use it's always difficult to get both side to be a mirror image... one side will be easier than the other depending on whether u r right or left handed.
A deftly weilded skew turns a good bead but it's definitely easier with a beading / parting tool.

 

[Duiker]

Hi Guys,

I've had a go with a few bits and pieces and I'm resonably happy with the result. I got what looked like decent results to ma anyway.

I've just received the books I ordered from Amazon as well as arranged a turning course locally. In two weeks I'm going to my first "radius" meeting too! Lets hope all these things can get me started eh?

Cheers for the help and links/advice etc,

Mick