Even use an old butter knife  

 

 

thanks Dan...

That one looks like it does equally well on end and side grain.

I made one out of a hack saw blade. It didn't work for me. I tried low 450 rpm and high speed 1100 rpm.

i need  harder wood and I think I can make it happen. I will also try one made out of a butter knife. What readily available wood would you say it should work on? 

You have to do more testing than just speed.  How deep the blade is in the tool or for long blades, how far the blade hangs over the tool rest matters also.  In other words, size does matter.

Edited January 16, 20179 yr by HandyDan

It'll probably work on maple.

Stuff I've done on walnut- using the Sorby texturing tool works OK but tends to get "chewed up" a bit. The Sorby spiral tool works better on Maple.

 Thanks guys, going to glue up some maple and try the suggestions.

The length of the blade out of the handle also influences the pattern for a home made tool.

Maybe my choice of a hack saw blade was not a good one. I have a larger blade and will try it also. 

If you have one, would you measure the width and how far it sticks out?

  OK, so I have an understanding. The bowls that Billy B posted in the gallery were created using a chatter tool for each ring, correct? Then the color or dye was applied in that pattern, correct?

3 hours ago, DuckSoup said:

  OK, so I have an understanding. The bowls that Billy B posted in the gallery were created using a chatter tool for each ring, correct? Then the color or dye was applied in that pattern, correct?

 

Bob, the plate by Billy B is made on the lathe and all beading work too.  The other embellishments are done off the lathe by hand with carving and burning tools. 

Thanks guys, it was mostly technique, but harder wood did help. I can see some fun with this. 

Nice!

 

Try just touching the spinning surface with some sandpaper to add some highlights.

 Ok, with the videos & the Q&A this makes things a lot clearer. I never knew what a chatter tool was or that it could leave such a consistent pattern.

 Thanks for the lessons guys.