Chisel

The turning tool is probably the most traditional turning tool. It can be used to create mirror-smooth surfaces, produce chamfers, details and much more. The turning chisel is available in various designs, but always consists of a flat steel with an elongated, bevelled edge. No woodturning workshop should be without such a tool - browse our range for the right chisel and order it directly online!

The right turning chisel for every task

You need a woodturning chisel above all for long wood turning. This means when turning candlesticks, rungs, pens and the like. However, it is only used to a limited extent when turning bowls and plates.

Turning a gouge

Turning a point stick

Finishing with chisel

Finishing with oval chisel

Finishing with the chisel

Finishing means giving a piece of wood the final cut, i.e. leaving a mirror-smooth surface. Thanks to the pointed blade, the chisel works in a similar way to a plane. The tip points upwards so that the chisel cuts the wood slightly below the centre of the blade. With a little practice and the right technique, this creates a flawless surface. With a little practice, you can turn almost any shape with the chisel. If in doubt, you will always achieve a better surface than with a tube.

Pointed mouldings and details

The chisel can be used to turn pointed flutes in long wood. To do this, the chisel is placed upright on the blade support and then lowered into the wood. This also allows you to turn end faces flat. Chisels with rounded edges are ideal for this, as they are easier to move on the knife rest.
You can also create simple flutes and details by placing them flat on the support and guiding the tip into the wood. Always work with care and patience to avoid tears in the wood. If necessary, stop the machine and check the progress made so far. Do not use an oval chisel for flat placement, as this will wobble on the tool rest.

Piercing the dovetail mould

As the dovetail shape for the chuck must always be slightly undercut, the chisel with its angled design is ideal for turning this shape into the wood. It is not always easy to create this special shape, especially with bowls. You can use any chisel for this work, with the exception of oval chisels. However, small models such as a 12 mm HSS turning chisel are recommended.

What different chisels are available

There are different chisel shapes for woodturning. We would like to introduce you to the most important ones below.

Flat chisel (with rounded edges)

The standard flat chisel is made from flat steel. In our Schulte online shop you will find it in the conventional sizes from 12 mm to 32 mm. A special shape is the turning chisel with rounded edges. Thanks to its special shape, it glides better over the blade support.

A typical size with which you can cover most chiselling work is the 19 mm turning chisel. A 32 mm turning chisel is recommended for working on larger workpieces, as it also has a longer handle.

Oval chisel

The oval chisel is an additional tool to the turning chisel. As the name suggests, it has an oval shape, which is why it glides better over the blade support and adapts very well to the shape of the workpiece. It is ideal for cutting long grooves and curved shapes.

A good example of such shapes are elongated staircases or baseball bats, for example. Another very popular size is the 19 mm oval chisel for most common shapes and a 32 mm oval chisel for particularly large workpieces.

Chisel with rounded tip

The rounded tip of this chisel reduces the risk of snagging or creating a "Nuremberg" - but more on this later. The rounded edges also ensure that the chisel glides particularly well over the blade support.

You can find this chisel in our shop as a 19 mm HSS variant and as a 19 mm CRYO variant as an interchangeable blade from Hope Woodturning. To sharpen the round edge of the chisel, you need a simple platform on your sharpening system. First hold the blade in line with the whetstone or grinding belt and then move it 45° to the side until the entire bevel has been sharpened. Repeat this process with the other side.
 

Colwyn Way chisel

This new, slim chisel from Crown tapers down to the handle. In order to maintain the greatest possible stability, the blade is shaped from the cutting edge to the die, becoming more solid. This elaborate process offers you the greatest possible safety when finishing and machining long timber. The rounded edges also allow the blade to glide easily over the knife rest.

The chisel designed by Colwyn Way has an HSS CRYO blade and therefore offers an even longer service life. The brass-coloured ferrule and ash wood handle also reflect its impressive inner values on the outside.

Sharpening a turning chisel

Every sharpening system actually has a corresponding sharpening aid for sharpening a chisel. If this is not available, a simple platform can be used to help.
This is first adjusted so that the bevel is in contact with the stone or belt. The chisel is then held so that the cutting edge is straight against the stone. Chisels, like all other woodturning knives, must be resharpened regularly. Simply browse through our online shop to find the right sharpening system!

The "Nürnberger"

The "Nürnberger" is a phenomenon that occurs when the chisel is handled incorrectly. If the upper edge of the tool hooks into the wood when finishing with the chisel, the chisel is torn downwards, which in the worst case can cause a piece of wood to come loose from the workpiece. This is usually accompanied by a loud crack due to the sudden, uncontrolled impact of the chisel on the blade support.

If this happens, do not be unsettled. The chisel is a tool that is very efficient, versatile and a lot of fun when used with the right technique. On the Holzwerken Magazin YouTube channel you will find a chisel video with our course instructor Jan Hovens, in which the correct use of the chisel is explained.

High-quality chisels for woodturning work

Whether you are looking for a beginner's chisel or a professional chisel, we have the right tools for you. Our range at Drechselbedarf Schulte meets a wide variety of requirements and challenges so that you can easily realise any project. So order your new woodturning chisel from us online now.