Favorite Finial tools???

[Tamara Brown]

OK, pros of finial creation, which tool is essential for your detailed,delicate turnings? The one and only finial I have turned was with a bowl gouge and skew...I know there has to be more delicate tools to use...so help me spend my husbands hard earned $$$ :D

[Don Carter]

Tamara:
I am about as far away from an expert on finials as can be!;) but I do use some homemade pyramid tools, a 3/8" Doug Thompson detail gouge, and some small spindle gouges, and a couple of small dreaded skews.

Some of the experts will surely come in and give you some really good info.

All the best.

Don

[John Shuk]

Skew chisel.

[Judy Kingery]

Tamara,

I'm not an expert either, but I do like using a small bedan tool for finials. It'll heat up quickly, fine or thin bevel/edge, so it's perfect for 10-15 second touch ups and finesse.

Best to you,

Jude

[Richard Madison]

From another non-expert, 5/8 bowl gouge, 3/8 bowl gouge, and two home made tools with 1/8" HSS tool bits (one ground like a round nose scraper, the other ground like a skew but used mostly as a pointy nose scraper).

[Terry Quiram]

Tamara

I make my finials using three tools. A 1/4 and 3/8 detail gouge and a small or thin parting tool. You won't need anything else to make first class finials.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Tamara I use a 1/4" round skew, 5/8" skew and 3/8" spindle gouge. It does have bottom ground off or relieved so it only leaves a 1/8" bevel. I have watched 2 of Cindy Drozda's DVD's on finials and will be getting her third one. I have also seen her do a demo so kept a close eye on the tools she uses. Her first DVD Elegant Finials I would recommend to anyone wanting to do them. She is very good about taking you thru cut by cut.

[Dean Thomas]

I'm with Bernie. Love that 1/4" round skew. You can do very delicate cuts with it. VERY. :)

[Jeff Nicol]

OK, pros of finial creation, which tool is essential for your detailed,delicate turnings? The one and only finial I have turned was with a bowl gouge and skew...I know there has to be more delicate tools to use...so help me spend my husbands hard earned $$$ :D
Tamara, You got it right the first time, the skew and a small gouge are all I ever use. The skew gets 80-90 percent of the credit.

Jeff

[Ken Glass]

P&N 5/16" Detail Gouge.

[Keith Burns]

3/8" spindle gouge with Cindy Drozda style grind and a 1/16" parting tool for what else but parting it off.