Using a parting tool, yesterday I was unable to get the tool to cut properly.  Tool was chattering, squeaking, and causing vibration.  It would cut but not very efficiently even though it appears reasonably sharp.

 

Material old hard red oak.  Savanah brand HSS tool, hand sharpened on stones.  Spindle turning setup between drive center and live center

 

Any tips to get this working better?

 

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First thing I look for is did I leave the lathe in reverse.  Yes it happens.  Here is a quick video on presentation.  Stabbing it into the wood is not the correct way.  Widening the groove as you go deeper helps too.

 

 

Edited May 10, 20215 yr by HandyDan

Thanks Dan!  That was very helpful.  I'll try that next time I get an opportunity. 

 

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You also might want to turn lathe speed down as parting tool does not cut like a bowl gouge. Did you cut a single cut or as should be making a side by side cut? If you do a single cut it will vibrate and catch the tool and even take it out of your hands.

On 5/10/2021 at 9:49 AM, HandyDan said:

First thing I look for is did I leave the lathe in reverse.  Yes it happens.  Here is a quick video on presentation.  Stabbing it into the wood is not the correct way.  Widening the groove as you go deeper helps too.

 

 

 

Dan and Gerald have given you good advice. It's also important to remember, a parting tool is not a robust piece of steel and isn't designed to make deep cuts. It doesn't have to be very far over the rest to start chattering.

Thanks again for all of the tips.  Pretty hectic week ahead with the J.O.B. and it will probably be the weekend before I can spend time in the shop.  I will make an effort to try again. 

 

@Steve Krumanaker Pretty cool YT channel.  Subscribed. 

 

 

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