Sorby Texturing & Spiralling Tool

Hi,
I'm in the same boat. I have one that was given to me as a Christmas gift and haven't used it yet. My excuse is I'm still trying to finish my workshop properly before I get down to enjoying myself.

Andra

Hi Vic

I've had one for a long time, and use it copiously. You can see some examples over here : www.facebook.com/woodspinner 
Nick Agar taught me how to use it - strongly recommend him and his teaching.

Jonathan

I have the spiralling tool as well and had it for about a year with no success. I have just managed to get a grip of the spiralling side of things. I have managed to do some texturing with it and enjoyed that side of the tool. Still need practice

Vic,

You can sharpen using a lapping plate across the top (beveled side) of the wheel.

However, let's cover some more likely causes of the problems.

Wood density. Choose wood with a very dense, tight grain structure for spiraling projects. Softwoods and hardwoods like oak, where there is a strong difference between summer and winter growth rings, do not spiral well.

Speed. It is very difficult to spiral at anything above 600 rpm. The larger the piece, the more important it is to get the speed down. Lathes with mechanical variable speed or step pulleys rarely can be adjusted slow enough. Electronic variable speed really helps.

Tool position. Adjust your tool rest so that the bottom of the tool shaft is at the center line of the project. This places the wheel above center.

Pitch choice. Until you have quite a bit of experience with the tool, keep the pitch adjustment at setting #1.

Double Start. Always do a test cut when you begin. Let the wood rotate the cutter a few times with the cutter pressed straight in. Stop the lathe and look at the cut. The cuts should be spaced exactly the same as the spacing on the cutter. If you see that the spacing is less than that, the diameter of the project is such that a full revolution is not landing back on a full tooth of the cutter. Shave just a whisker off the diameter of the project and test again. It is generally a matter of just a few thousandths of an inch, so you don't need to significantly alter your project. Repeat until you get a "clean start".

Carefully bring the cutter back to the test cut area and it will fall back into the same grooves. Lift the back of the handle of the tool, angling the cutter down and it will start cutting. you can move in either direction and the cutter should track.

Practice makes perfect with this tool (well, all of them really). Don't wait until you have a priceless bit of timber on the lathe to try this tool out.

Hi guys, love some of the work on show here so you might be interested to see the latest Robert Sorby vid on decorative techniques.

Woodturning wizard Nick Agar kindly popped in to show us some of the techniques he has become world famous for. You can see what we got up to on our YouTube channel visit:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEIbEQyTnrQ&list=UUapHK2gQ-IULWzj8HY6PVOQ

Thanks again Nick I'm sure Forum members and visitors will love this short film.

How come all the postings here seem to be 5+ years old???