Greetings! Could I get some advice on the correct usage of the chatter tool to produce various chatter patterns on end grain work? Is the tool properly held like a scraper parallel to the ground or is it used at an angle? Also, I was wondering if the chatter blade actually flexes slightly or does the tool rattle up-and-down or perhaps side-to-side in its holder. It's sold by multiple manufactureres including: Stewart, Sorby, and Crown. Much thanks.
-
It's time to cast your vote in the October 2025 Turning Challenge. (click here for details) -
Congratulations to Curt Fuller for "Bell Ornaments" being selected as Turning of the Week for October 27, 2025 (click here for details) -
Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.
Chatter Tool Questions
- Thread starter Navi
- Start date
chatter tool
A chatter tool is used at a downward angle. The tool body not the springy steel blade should be on the tool rest. The blade vibrates to make the pattern. The blade should be springy but not too springy and the blade should be sharp but not too sharp. Press the tip or edge of the blade against the wood and drag it across the surface. When you get a loud screeching sound like fingernails on a blackboard you know its working.. Some woods chatter nice and others don't. End grain chatters and side grain doesn't. Harder wood seems to work better than softer wood.
I know I'm not much help but chatter is more of an art than an exact science. Try different tool angles, lathe speeds and pressures and see what happens. Get some hard maple and make lots of practice pieces. Spin tops are good practice.
Good luck
Mike
A chatter tool is used at a downward angle. The tool body not the springy steel blade should be on the tool rest. The blade vibrates to make the pattern. The blade should be springy but not too springy and the blade should be sharp but not too sharp. Press the tip or edge of the blade against the wood and drag it across the surface. When you get a loud screeching sound like fingernails on a blackboard you know its working.. Some woods chatter nice and others don't. End grain chatters and side grain doesn't. Harder wood seems to work better than softer wood.
I know I'm not much help but chatter is more of an art than an exact science. Try different tool angles, lathe speeds and pressures and see what happens. Get some hard maple and make lots of practice pieces. Spin tops are good practice.
Good luck
Mike
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
You can tilt the chatter tool left and right to create different looks. I usually have the blade below center at about 7 oclock and 5 oclock but you'll get a slightly different pattern depending on how you tilt,extend the blade,how hard you push etc.
What I did to learn chatter work was to put an endgrain about 3" long in chuck and true up the end, try to chatter it. Cut that chatter away and try again. Very the speed of the lathe and all the other things until you start to gt what you want. It takes awhile but is worth it. I used a thin parting tool to save all the good ones.
I like to chatter little tagua nut discs and use these as details on Christmas ornaments. I'm still experimenting with this but will try to post some results one of these days.
What I did to learn chatter work was to put an endgrain about 3" long in chuck and true up the end, try to chatter it. Cut that chatter away and try again. Very the speed of the lathe and all the other things until you start to gt what you want. It takes awhile but is worth it. I used a thin parting tool to save all the good ones.
I like to chatter little tagua nut discs and use these as details on Christmas ornaments. I'm still experimenting with this but will try to post some results one of these days.