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I'm just getting into turning -- played with my dad's lathe some back in the '60's but now I'm getting serious.
Had some poplar scraps -- 5"x1-1/2" -- and tried face turning them.
Seemed to get a lot of tearout on end grain.
I think my tools are sharp but is such tearout a problem with my tools, my technique or is it just the way poplar is?
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Wild Turkey
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It turns well enough for me. Your tools must be dull.
What kind of steel are they made from?
Mine are M2 HSS. I can turn poplar with no problems.
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Poplar turns pretty good and can have some nice grain patten. I use it for anything I paint like Christmas ornaments and trying out something before I use the expensive wood.
It will tear out but I can clean most of it up with a skew chisel then sandpaper. For any turnings sharp tools are a must.
Don
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Like all woods you will get tear out if you do not use the tools properly or using the bevel as you cut. I like using it for gluing to make other projects and I like using it.
As of this time I am not teaching vets to turn. Also please do not send any items to me without prior notification. Thank You Everyone.
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Tools are HSS - looks like time to get my sharpening stuff out and make sure tools are sharp.
Edit to add: big difference between "sorta sharp" and "much sharper"
BIL has a Tormek setup -- I may have to go pay him a visit
Thanks for the help
"Truth is a highway leading to freedom" --Kris Kristofferson
Wild Turkey
We may see the writing on the wall, but all we do is criticize the handwriting.
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You better plan on visiting about every hour or so.
Twinn
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Poplar will turn, but you will get quite a bit of tear out. Sharp tools as others have mentioned is necessary. I would also recommend that you 'ride the bevel' as you are cutting. Take light cuts and a very acute angle.
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theeviltwinn said:
You better plan on visiting about every hour or so.
Twinn
This^^^^^.
Yeah, you better invest in a Wolverine sharpening system unless you like spending 15 mins sharpening one tool.
Tormek has it's place, just not in my shop.
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I got my old Craftsman benchtop 2" belt sander out with a 240 grit belt and things went much better after I sharpened the tools
"Truth is a highway leading to freedom" --Kris Kristofferson
Wild Turkey
We may see the writing on the wall, but all we do is criticize the handwriting.
(joined 10/1999)
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Wild Turkey said:
I got my old Craftsman benchtop 2" belt sander out with a 240 grit belt and things went much better after I sharpened the tools
{Grimaces...}
