- Joined
- Dec 20, 2012
- Messages
- 9,422
Yes I do turn on a wood lathe.
How would you compare the safety / level of control and dexterity needed to use safely ?
Wood is fairly forgiving considering the big difference between it and the metal tool being used, and also the turning tools tend to be very large levers/handles in relation to the cuts/depth being taken - I guess what I am saying is that this seems a bit scary of a proposition at first blush to me.
It is a very interesting idea I would like to learn more about though...
Actually, it is very safe except that you are often working near the chuck. I try to use an ER chuck so there are no spinning jaws to whack my knuckles with. The tool rest is only 1/8" away from the work so although gravers are somewhat short, their length is huge compared to the gap that exists between the work and tool. Graver rarely dig in if used properly. Brass can grab if you don't keep your approach angle flat but that isn't hard to do. I haven't had a dig in for many years.
If you can turn wood, you can turn metal. The process is identical to what you already know how to do. I have turned all kinds of metals and plastics, including hardened steel and stainless - no problem for a graver.
I think gravers are the most unappreciated tools out there. Most don't know what they are and very few have even used them. We need to change that.