finial turning

[wes murphy]

what tool do you use in turning finials?

[Steve Schlumpf]

1" skew, 1/4" spindle gouge, 1/4" skew and 320 & 400 grit sandpaper - but I am not as elaborate as some.

[Tim Thiebaut]

Once I get the wood to the diameter I want to start with I use "1/4 detail gouge, "1/4 skew from my mini set, 1/16 parting tool...this is really helpful in under cutting the base so it sits flat, and not as often but once in a while my "1 skew.

[David E Keller]

Once round, I use a 3/8 bowl gouge, 3/8 detail gouge, and a parting tool mainly. I've got a point tool and spear nosed scraper that come into play occasionally as well. As Steve said, sandpaper is a great finesse tool for fairing curves.

[John Keeton]

Wes, here is a thread that contains some recent information on finials, with some pics.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?148622-Question-for-Keeton-amp-DeCristophoro-on-finials

[John Hart]

I use dynamite, a propane torch, and a hammer.

.....saves me the frustration of turning them. :)

[Brian McInturff]

I have the torch and the hammer, where can we get the dynamite cheap!
I haven't turned any finials in almost 2 years now but when I did I primarily used a 1/4" Glaser detail gouge slightly modified like Cindy Drozda's.