Handrail Finials

[RMS]

We are having an addition put on the house with a nice porch. There will be a set of steps spanning the 2 center posts. On posts at the bottom of the steps my wife asksd if I could turn some finials on the lathe.

Using the 6×6 hemlock this is what I came up with. For any wood turners on thw forum, I found using carbide tools much easier than traditional tools. I started with a spinfle gouge and bowl gouge but they got dull almost immediatly, so I went to the carbide. They made quick work of it.

 

[Sawdust&Shavings]

We are having an addition put on the house with a nice porch. There will be a set of steps spanning the 2 center posts. On posts at the bottom of the steps my wife asksd if I could turn some finials on the lathe.

Using the 6×6 hemlock this is what I came up with. For any wood turners on thw forum, I found using carbide tools much easier than traditional tools. I started with a spinfle gouge and bowl gouge but they got dull almost immediatly, so I went to the carbide. They made quick work of it.

When quality HSS turning gouges and skew chisels aren’t the answer carbide is the answer. For turning I’ve only used HSS, but all of my other wood shop tool cutters/blades are carbide tipped which cut through everything and seemingly last forever.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Your helmock has a ton of grain.
I'll take a pick of mine here in a little bit, was less grain.

But yes I'm switched almost all my tools to carbide blades.

 

[gunnersguru]

those look nice . sharp tools make clean cuts. i have a grizzly 46 lathe and 17" bandsaw

 

[RMS]

those look nice . sharp tools make clean cuts. i have a grizzly 46 lathe and 17" bandsaw

Thanks. I've only been turning for just about 2 years on a laguna revo 12/16. It's not the biggest but it sure keeps me challenged.