PATTERN MAKING 47 



The gouge may be used by the beginner without hesitation, 

 as in no position, whether tilted or on its back, will it catch or rip 

 into the wood. The tool should be held firmly by the extreme end 

 of the handle, in the right hand, while the left hand rests against 

 the tool rest, the blade of the tool being grasped lightly with the 

 fingers, and passing through and under the left hand while resting 

 on the tool rest. 



c 



) 



Fig. 92. 



The turning gouge, being curved, can be used only as a 

 rough ing-down tool or for turning out hollows, and cannot be used 

 for" finishing. It will not make a straight, true, or smooth surface. 

 For this purpose, in common and ornamental turning, the skew 

 chisel, one size of which is shown in Fig. 93, is used. This form 

 of chisel is made in all sizes from | inch to 2| inches in width, but, 

 unlike the gouge, requires considerable practice and skill for its 

 successful use. 



Fig. 93. 



The skew chisel is held slightly tilted so that while the short 

 edge of the blade touches the tool rest, the long edge will be 

 slightly above the rest, so that the long corner of the skew point 

 extends up and well over the cylinder which is being smoothed, 

 thus preventing the long skew point from catching and tearing 

 into the work. All the cutting must be clone with the short part 

 of the skew edge, say one-half inch only of the cutting edge, 

 the tool resting not only on the tool rest, but resting also firmly 

 on the cylinder that is being turned, just as a plane rests on a 

 board while cutting and removing the shavings from its surface. 

 The right position for this tool is hard to obtain at first, and can 

 be acquired only by patient and continued practice. In no case. 

 however, should the skew chisel be held fiat on the tool rest, 

 or used as a scraper, this not being allowable or good practice 



