Re: Rounding Gavel Ends

Bill,

This is not heresy, but a legitimate use of a parting tool.  Keep in mind
that the parting tool has five sharpened edges to use.  Using the top edge
of the bevel is a viable scraping tool.

Joe
--------------------------
"Bill Rubenstein" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] says...
> > I'm making a few gavels for friends and am having trouble making the
> > hammer ends properly domed and uniform. I'm putting a 2"X2" blank that
> > is 6" long between centers and plan on an inch of waste at each end.I'm
> > pretty bad with a skew to begin with and trying to get it through walnut
> > end grain hasn't been successful. I've also tried, with limited success,
> > a narrow scraper. Can anybody recommend a better method?
> > Thanks
> >
> Another thought...
>
> This is heresy but...
>
> You'd be surprised how good a surface you can get using a parting tool
> properly.  I'm talking about a normal straight tool, not a diamond
> shaped parting tool which I see no use for at all -- and they are
> expensive.
>
> If you are working on the tail end, you would be cutting with the point
> but the tool would be rotated a little left.  The left edge of the top
> bevel is cleaning up the cut (make sure that it is sharp along its
> length) and the results can be very good.  Also, I frequently use a
> parting tool for making small beads -- works great -- just don't tell
> anybody, please.
>
> Bill