Use and Care Manual

ROUGHING OUT

Begin with a large roughing gouge (see page 14 for examples of common cutting tools).

1. Place the tool on the tool rest with the heel of the tool on the surface to be cut. Slowly and gently

raise the tool handle until the cutting edge comes into contact with the workpiece.

2. Beginning about 2 inches from the tailstock end of the workpiece, roll the ﬂute of the tool (the

hollowed-out portion) in the direction of the cut.

3. Make long sweeping cuts in a continuous motion to turn the piece to a cylinder. Keep as much of the

bevel of the tool in contact with the workpiece as possible to ensure control and avoid catches.

NOTE: Always cut downhill, or from the large diameter to the small diameter. Always work towards the

end of the workpiece; never start at the cutting end.

4. Once the workpiece is roughed down to a cylinder, smooth it with a large skew. Keep the skew handle

perpendicular to the spindle and use only the center third of the cutting edge for a long smoothing

cut (touching one of the points of the skew to the spinning workpiece may cause a catch and ruin the

workpiece).

5. Add details to the workpiece with skews, parting tools, scrapers or spindle gouges.

CREATING BEADS

Make a parting cut for the desired depth and location of your bead.

1. Place the parting tool on the tool rest and move the tool forward to make the full bevel of the tool

come into contact with the workpiece. Gently raise the handle to make cuts of the appropriate depth.

Repeat for the other side of the bead.

2. Using a small skew or spindle gouge, start in the center between the two cuts and cut down each

side to form the bead. Roll the tool in the direction of the cut.

CREATING COVES

Using a spindle gouge to create a cove.

1. With the ﬂute of the tool at 90 degrees to the workpiece, touch the point of the tool to the workpiece

and roll in towards the bottom of the cove. Stop at the bottom, as attempting to go up the opposite side

may cause the tool to catch.

2. Move the tool over the desired width of the cove. With the ﬂute facing the opposite direction, repeat

the step for the other side of the cove. Stop at the bottom of the cut.

OPERATION