USING THE BOWERS RASPS IN SPIRAL TURNINGS
By Bill Bowers
Upon completion
of the instructional text, “The Basics of Turning Spirals” released
in January 2007 by Schiffer Publishing LTD, and an attempt to
purchase more of the German manufactured metal rasps for spiral
turning classes, I was disappointed that the tools—although
they frequently would bend under pressure or use as well as eventually
lose their cutting edges—were no longer available. Consultation
with Skip and Matt Strippelhoff of Dixie Industrial Supply Inc.
led to the creation of tungsten carbide rasps which last longer
and wear better than the softer metal ones. Research runs
resulted in the production of 3 commonly used sizes, 3/16, 1/8, & 1/16
inch diameter rods coated with a stiff compound of tungsten carbide
giving the necessary cutting edges for soft, hard, or wet woods. The
coarser grit rods seem to work best for the wet woods but my
preferences are 80 grit for the 1/16 inch rasp—used most
often on dense, greasy, hardwoods to carve very thin or extremely
thin twists—and 60 grit for the 1/8 or 3/16 inch rasps—used
most often on less dense exotics or domestic timbers for slightly
larger carved spirals. Production of the three different
rasps has resulted in excellent long wearing tools. The
initial manufactured rods had the applied grits on the distal
2 ½ inches but later produced stock had the grits along
the entire length of the rod making a long lasting tool with
a nominal increase in price. Cleaning is not a problem
either if one soaks the dust clogged rods in a solvent for
a few minutes then brushes off the wet debris with a toothbrush.
Although
the space here prohibits a detailed discussion concerning the
use of rasps some examples do follow. Obtaining a copy
of “The Basics of Turning Spirals” as well as the
2 new books—“10 Easy Projects For The Smaller Lathe” and “7
More Projects for The Smaller Lathe” due to be released
in the fall of 2007 by Schiffer Publishing LTD—describe
in detail the processes creating artistically turned objects
with cleverly carved twists. In “American Woodturner”,
winter 2006, is another article detailing twisted icicles on
Christmas ornaments using the 1/16 inch rasp to carefully carve
designs.
Peppermills
with twists have an added functional as well as artistic embellishment. One
is better able to grasp the mill with wet or greasy hands while
adding freshly ground pepper to culinary creations. The
twists may be carved on the globe or further down the shaft where
the second hand holds the mill. The layout is drawn
utilizing an indexing system on one’s lathe then the
cut lines are lightly scarified with a dovetail saw (see photo
#1).
Photo 1
The
1/8 inch rasp is employed to cut coves on all 12 cut lines
then the larger 3/16 inch rasp is used to broaden and deepen
the grooves (photo #2).
Photo 2
An example of a left-handed twist (photo #3)
as opposed to the right-handed twist (photo #2) is shown on
a salt mill.
Photo 3
The finished 12 inch tall ceramic crush grind
mechanism salt and peppermills with both right and left-handed
twists (photo #4) present an attractive collection.
Photo 4
Whenever
the rasps are used on taller mills—15 inches—and
various stains applied (photo #5) interesting effects may result
for the avant-garde.
Photo 5
Even larger mills—19 inches—are
interesting if both right and left-handed twists are applied
to the globes and bodies (photo #6).
Photo 6
An impressive collection
(photo #7) of 15 inch tall peppermills turned on the bias creates
culinary kitchen ware for the discriminating collector.
Photo 7
The use
of 1/16 inch diameter 80 grit rasps is helpful in making very
thin or extremely thin twists. The twists may adorn the top
of boxes or the interior of twists within twists. Christmas
ornaments with embellished icicles having twisted spheres and
spindles is another place for their use.
Photo 8
After laying out the cut
lines (photo #8) the small rasp is used to cut coves in the
sphere.
Photo 9
Carving a second time gives a better definition
(photo #9).
Photo 10
Cutting a
double barley spiral (photo #10) on a very thin spindle works
quite well if the free hand supports the spindle while rasping.
Photo 11
The
finished ornament (photo #11) presents a lovely gift or addition
to one’s tree.
For more
information on turning spirals peruse “The Basics of Turning
Spirals” by Bill Bowers. For an interesting compendium
of turned pieces and furniture visit www.turningsbb.com or
email your comments and questions to turningsbb@gmail.com or turningsbb@hotmail.com.
The Bowers rasps are available from Wood Turner Tools. For more information and to purchase, click below.
Bower's
Rasp
Available from Wood Turner Tools
