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how to sharpen homemade beading tool

how to sharpen homemade beading tool (post #152912)

71Atlas on Mon, 06/07/2010 - 18:00

Turning and Carving

I made a beading tool from a file by gring and filing a radius on the tip. when I tried to make beads on some table legs I got fair results and bad results ( tear out). Previous attempts with a parting tool I was able to get some good beads and then on the next bead I would get a catch (?) and run a big spiral cut and make a mess out of the part.

I thought a beading tool would solve my problem but still having problems.

Question: is there a method to sharpen the home made file beading tool?

I face of the file was ground flat and the radius was done on a grinder and a round file.

spindle beads (post #152912, reply #2 of 4)

by BruceS in reply to 71Atlas [original] on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 06:00

Those beading tools are scrapers and I find at best they still do a poor job. Work on using

a long nosed/shallow bevel detail spindle gouge or a skew. Superior cuts will be made by riding a bevel and making a good shearing cut.

With lots of practice and patience.

Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

Bruce S.

Beading tool (post #152912, reply #1 of 4)

by AZMO in reply to 71Atlas [original] on Mon, 06/07/2010 - 21:33

I have a Lee Valley beading tool, and it sits under my bench. I really am not happy with the results of this tool either. Now it uses very thin sheets of steel just like a scraper blade, but it does not leave a sharp profile. I have tried forming a scraper type edge to the steel, ie a small hook, but that is hard on a 3/16" concave cutter edge.

Bruce is correct, use a tool to cut the profile, or a specific plane with a cutter head for that shape. I would use a router first anyday of the week.

AZMO

Wrong beading tool, methinks (post #152912, reply #3 of 4)

by flairwoodworks in reply to AZMO [original] on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 18:49

I think that this is what we are talking about, for a lathe:

http://www.hartvilletool.com/shared/images/products//large/66354set.jpg

Chris @ www.flairwoodworks.com
and http://flairwoodworks.wordpress.com

- Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

If the cutting edge is (post #152912, reply #4 of 4)

by jako17 in reply to 71Atlas [original] on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 23:39

If the cutting edge is relieved on the underside (back bevel) and the top is honed.With a small overhang beyond the handrest that will give you the best result.It is still a scraper and as such will be rougher than the burnished finish of a skew with bevel rubbing..This assumes that you are spindle turning.On a face plate you may find tearout more of a problem but a light touch will help greatly.One point about the use of files.I would sugesst that you anneal them and reharden and temper them before use as they tend to be rather brittle.Several of my favourite scrapers are made from files in this way.