Generally speaking, turning tools may be divided into three groups, (a) the roughing-off tools, (the gouge), (b) the smoothing or cleaning-up tools, (the skew), and (c) the scraping tools, (the flat skew, round-nose, diamond-point and other specially shaped tools used for scraping).

The grinding of all the above named tools is about the same, only differing in a few details. In every case the grindstone should revolve towards the operator, Fig. 4. The tool to be ground is held low at the start, and gradually raised to a position so that the bevel will He flat on the stone. This angle is then maintained thruout the grinding. In the case of the gouge, since the tool is convex on the outside (and the bevel is on the outside), it will be necessary to roll the tool, and at the same time work it from one side of the stone to the other. The rolling motion makes it possible to grind all parts, and working it from side to side, prevents the wearing of a hollow in the stone.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5. Whetting a Gouge.

To whet a gouge, the oilstone slip, Fig. 3, is used. Hold the slip in the right hand and the gouge in the left hand, Fig. 5. Two movements are necessary - one to work the stone back and forth, the other to roll the gouge from side to side. After some time, a burr will be seen to form. To remove this burr, rub the slip on that side several times, then repeat the entire whetting operation until the gouge has been properly sharpened.

Fig. 6.

Fig. 7.

The grinding of the skew is somewhat different from that of the other tools, in that this tool has a bevel on both sides, and the cutting is not at right angles to the sides. Fig. 6 illustrates the correct position of the skew while being ground; i.e. the cutting edge is kept parallel with the top of the stone. In whetting the skew the same principle is carried out, Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 8. Whetting a Skew Chisel.

All scraping tools are ground only on one side. The foregoing instructions hold good for the grinding, but not for whetting. Since the function of a scraper is to scrape and not to cut, it will be necessary to let the burr remain on the tool. This burr works as the burr on a cabinet or floor scraper.

If properly sharpened, with this burr, it is possible to work the wood down clean and quickly with any scraping tool.