dovetail scraper - bowls

[maxwell_smart007]

Hi guys,

Not pen related, but can you help me pick the right scraper for making bowls so that they can attach to my supernova2?

They have a few at CSUSA that I'm looking at...

the frontrunners are:
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/s...amlet_M2_Dovetail_Scraper___m2_dovetail?Args=

And this odder looking one: (which I can probably figure out how to sharpen on my grinder, unlike the one above)
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/s...Tools___The_Dovetailer___htt_dovetailer?Args=

Which one would you pick?

 

[richstick1]

My advice to you would be to spend your money on something else [] I have a Nova Midi chuck that has dovetail jaws just like the Supernova2, and I just use a parting tool to make that dovetail for the foot (or for the recess, if you turn a recess in the bottom to chuck into instead of a foot). Just take the parting tool in at an angle that approximately matches the angle of the dovetail on your chuck jaws. Works well for me.

Actually - if you want an even better tool for it than the parting tool - buy a Bedan tool - now there is a very usefull tool - it will be my next tool purchase.

 

[Fred]

Andrew, If you already have a skew just cut the dovetail into the base side of the bowl blank. First be sure and cut the base to a level edge and then turn a dovetail area into the base so that it matches the diameter of your chuck's jaws. Then bevel the edge to fit the bevel of your jaws. Why dedicate a task to another tool that has but one use. You can eyeball the bevel just as well. Take the money for the dovetail tool and if you don't have a skew in your tool array go buy it instead. The skew can be intimidating at first so practice a bit until you learn to make light cuts. I use an oval 1" flat edge skew from Sorby and it is my favorite tool of all I use. http://www.robert-sorby.co.uk/skew_chisel.htm Look at the first one - the oval skew. I found the flat skew would catch on the tool rest and hinder the movement. The oval skew has turned out to be far easier for me to use.

Also, the skew can be used to scrape the edges of your bowl and thus cut back on some sanding time. I find that I use my skew 98% of the time to make my bowls and also with my pens. Catches are caused by not addressing the skew edge to the wood carefully so learn to make light cuts at first. Another thing is to keep the skew 'scary sharp' at ll times. When you learn to handle the skew it can be used like a smaller version of a cabinet scraper to dress the wood fibers prior to finishing. Just 'scrape' in both turning directions to cut back on the 'fuzzies'! []

 

[Ron in Drums PA]

Like Fred, I use a skew to cut a dovetail, I just lay the skew flat on it's side and use it like a scraper

 

[alamocdc]

Me too, but I've used both the skew and parting tool. Just depends on which one is closer at the moment. Save your money until you want to buy a better bowl gouge.[]