Crown HSS Woodturning Tools

HSS woodturning tools have cutting sections manufactured from high-speed steel. This steel is valued for its wear resistance and ability to retain hardness at elevated temperatures. These characteristics make HSS particularly practical for woodturning tools, which are sharpened frequently and can generate significant heat at the grinder.

A beginner's selection commonly includes a roughing gouge, spindle gouge, bowl gouge, skew chisel, parting tool and scraper, although the ideal combination depends on the projects being attempted. Turners concentrating exclusively on bowls will have different requirements from those making pens, handles, furniture components and other spindle projects.

A spindle gouge is primarily intended for spindle work where the timber grain runs roughly parallel with the lathe bed, and it excels at forming beads, coves and detailed profiles. A bowl gouge has a deeper flute and substantial cross-section designed for bowl and faceplate turning. A spindle roughing gouge should not be substituted for a bowl gouge when turning bowls.

A skew chisel is primarily used on spindle work for planing cuts, forming beads, cutting V-grooves and creating clean shoulders. In experienced hands it can leave an exceptionally smooth surface straight from the lathe. Correct toolrest position and controlled presentation are important because an incorrectly presented skew can catch the workpiece.

There is no fixed sharpening interval because it depends on the timber, tool, cut and amount of turning being performed. Rather than waiting until a tool becomes noticeably blunt, many turners lightly refresh the edge as soon as cutting performance declines or additional pressure becomes necessary. Frequent light sharpening generally removes less steel than repeatedly restoring a heavily dulled edge.

HSS turning tools are commonly sharpened on a bench grinder fitted with an appropriate abrasive wheel, often in combination with a woodturning sharpening jig. The objective is to restore a keen cutting edge while maintaining the desired bevel and profile. Light, controlled passes are preferable to excessive grinding, and repeatable jig settings can make it easier to maintain consistent geometry.

Scrapers are useful for refining profiles, working in areas that are difficult to approach with a gouge and performing specialised shaping operations. Unlike conventional gouge cuts, a traditional scraper generally cuts using a small burr at its edge. Scrapers are available in different profiles, including round-nose and other specialised shapes for particular turning tasks.

Keep cutting edges sharp, remove resin or contamination when necessary and store tools where their edges cannot strike each other. Handles and ferrules should also be checked periodically for looseness or damage. Before turning, inspect the complete tool and ensure the cutting edge is suitable for the intended operation; good maintenance supports cleaner cutting and more predictable tool control.