15 Types of Woodturning Tools and Chisels

Woodturning is an ancient art form that involves shaping wood with a special lathe. The result is often bowls, platters, or other types of decorative items.

Woodturners use many different tools to create their works of art, and the type of tool they use will depend on their skill level and what project they are working on.

types of turning tools and chisels

In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most common types of woodturning tools!

Types of Turning Tools

1. Spindle roughing gouge

An all-purpose woodturning tool that is used for shaping and removing material quickly in order to create curves or arcs on the workpiece’s surface; you can use this tool with a gouge handle.

This tool has a rounded curved edge and ridges called “flutes” on the surface.

How to use it: you can hold the cutting edge in one hand and use your other hand as an anchor point, or you could place two hands on each end of the shaft.

2. Spindle gouge

This is one of the most commonly found types of gouge that is used for shaping and smoothing curves. This tool has two ends, one flat end with sharp corners while the other looks like a curved chisel at an angle to it.

The side without any ridges is used for general shaping and the side with ridges is used to produce a smooth surface

How to use it: when using this tool, you typically place your fingers or thumb behind the cutting edge as you push the tool away from you.

3. Roughing gouge

Roughing gouge is used to turn rough surfaces. This type of gouge has a flat end with sharp corners and the other side is curved at an angle to it, while not as pronounced as that found on the spindle gouge.

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How to use this tool: To make wood turnings using this tool you need to push away from yourself towards your desired object or surface.

4. Bowl Gouge

It’s also known as a deep fluted gouge. A bowl gouge is a hand tool that is used to make a perfect bowl.

This tool is shaped like a spoon with one curved edge and one straight edge, which makes it easier for woodturners to carve deep concave shapes into their work.

How to use it: Hold the bowl gouge firm but not too tight, and push it with a twisting motion.

5. Split spoon gouge

This tool is the same as a bowl gouge, but instead of one straight edge, there are two edges that flare out from each other to form an “S” shape.

6. Mandrel

A type of woodturning tool that is used to hold your piece while it is being turned and also helps with shaping the surface or making curves in the workpiece.

When to use it: this tool can be used without any additional attachments, but you can also use it with a finger guard, which will help protect your hand from the sharp end of this tool.

7. Parting tool

The parting tool is a narrow-bladed hand tools with a beveled edge. They are typically made from a steel shaft with an iron blade, but some turners prefer high-carbon tool steel for the blades to resist wear and tear more effectively.

This type of woodturning tool is best when you want to cut into both the front and back faces of your workpiece, but not all the way through.

When to use it: Parting tools are used for cutting or shaping sections of wood that need precision cuts like fine details on furniture pieces.

8. Scraper

A scraper is a tool that has a small handle with a metal blade on the end.

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When to use it: you can’t really make any cuts with a scraper, but its main function is to smooth rough surfaces by rubbing away excess wood until they are nice and cleanly cut.

It also has an additional benefit of being able to remove dried glue or finish from your project when needed!

Types of Wood Turning Chisels

1. Skew chisel (also known as a skew gouge)

Skew Chisel is the most widely used turning tool and has three cutting edges, each at an angle of approximately 60° to the axis of its handle from one another. This tool is used in conjunction with a mallet and scrapers to soften the edges of cut surfaces.

It can also be used as an alternative for parting tools, which are hard on delicate detail work such as engraving and scrolling. The skew chisel can also be used to do cutting that is perpendicular to a surface.

When to use it: The skew can be used for shaping all kinds of concave curves like those found on chair seats and bowls.

2. Straight chisel

A type of woodturning tool that has two flat ends with a pointed end.

When to use it: Straight chisel is used for making clean cuts in wood and splitting the grain of a piece that needs to be separated, such as when one side of your workpiece has been cut incorrectly or if you need to remove an unwanted part of your project.

3. Finishing skew chisel

A finishing skew chisel is used for shaping the final steps on bowl turning. Whether you want to shape the inside of a bowl or make some final cuts in it, this tool is perfect for that.

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The skew chisel has a thin profile and faces are ground at an angle on about a 30° included angle with one side beveled and the other flat – This makes them ideal for working into detail areas where they would not get in the way of other chisels.

4. Chisel shaped scraper

The chisel-shaped scraper is typically used on round or irregular surfaces, and it is not used on flat or parallel planes.

How to use it: Hold the scraper with a twisting motion by its handle while pushing away from you.

5. Bowl roughing skew chisel

Bowl roughing skew chisel is used for roughing out bowls and other spindle turnings. It can also be used in some situations where there will not be any finishing touches applied.

6. Spindle roughing skew chisel

Spindle roughing skew chisel also known as a “spoon” – used for roughing out spindles and bowls.

When to use it: this type of tool is very versatile, the skew edge can be used for shaping or removing wood in a linear fashion.

7. Dovetail Chisel (also known as a dovetailing chisel)

The dovetail chisel can be used for many purposes in both face-frame construction and dovetailing, but its primary uses are cutting joints in drawer boxes and drawers.

It’s also used by pattern makers when creating patterns that will later be cut out on the bandsaw.

Conclusion

In this guide, we tried to present the main types of turning tools and chisels that are used by woodturners.

We hope that this will help you choose the right tool for your turning hobby and let you enjoy it even more!

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