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Texturing tool recommendations

Mark Hepburn

Mark Hepburn

Artist & Chef
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I searched the forums, but couldn’t find a good answer so I’m posting it here.

I’m asking for recommendations for a small texturing tool so I can put a little bit of texture in on small box lids and sides things like that.

Nothing fancy, just a nice tool that will do the job. Any thoughts anybody?
 
That’s a good question. To be honest, I don’t really know what would give me the best results. I’m just looking to texture small bands on the sides of little boxes, or something on the top in a small circle on a box sort of like a rosette or something
 
I don't have time to look for you right now but I suspect a "chatter tool" might give you the look you would enjoy. There are some good videos out there on how to make a very inexpensive one that will work like a champ. Easy to make too. Have fun!
 
Curt Vogt said:
I don't have time to look for you right now but I suspect a "chatter tool" might give you the look you would enjoy. There are some good videos out there on how to make a very inexpensive one that will work like a champ. Easy to make too. Have fun!
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Thanks Curt. For some reason, I never think of YouTube as a resource. Although I did for my guitar lesson lessons. Go figure.
 
I just looked at a Mike Peace video on a chatter tool. I’m pretty sure that’s what I’m looking for.
 
I used Mike Peace’s videos to make both the chatter tool and the one that uses a Dremel bit. Turned out to be pretty easy to make both. I use the chatter tool to put patterns in spin tops and the dremel bit tool to add band of texture to the outside of bowls. Enjoy making them if you decide to.
 
I went through a similar deliberation a couple years ago, and here's what I learned.

Chatter tools are basically only an end grain texturing tool and create random dits and dimples.

A knurling tool (ie Wagner texturing tool) makes regular, shaped dimples in either side or end grain, but tends to be a "band" (or stripe) making tool, and doesn't make a full 'field' of dimples. It works pretty well for the texturing of acorn caps.
I haven't used the Elf or a Spiraling tool, but my understanding is that they mostly make a band of slanted lines. (If you flip them over, probably you can make X's) So it depends on what decoration you want to make.
 
Dean Center said:
Chatter tools are basically only an end grain texturing tool. A knurling tool (ie Wagner texturing tool) makes shaped dimples in either side or end grain, but tends to be a "band" (or stripe) making tool, and doesn't make a full 'field' of dimples. It works pretty well for the texturing of acorn caps. I haven't used the Elf or a Spiraling tool, but my understanding is that they mostly make a band of slanted lines. (If you flip them over, probably you can make X's) So it depends on what decoration you want to make.
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Thanks Dean. I’ve been looking at YouTube videos and have decided to make a chattering tool. Looks pretty easy
 
Chatter tool is only good for end grain. Very easy to make. As part of my texturing demo i use a jig saw blade held in vice grips and supported on the tool rest. Works great.
The Sorby spiraling and texturing tools are great but expensive. The Elf tool is less expensive and does a good job but is limited in the textures it leaves.
You can do some interesting textures by hand with a Dremel Engraver. It comes with a point but you can pull it out and round over and polish the other end. That gives you two types of texture. Basically you just scribble with it. You can create some cool patterns on side or end grain. This texture was done with the rounded end and then sponge painted
 

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John, thanks. I decided to make a chattering tool myself because it looks pretty easy. I was in the shop for a little while ago, messing with a handle for it.

But you’re mentioning the elf got me curious so I looked it up and yes, it’s a lot less expensive than the Sorby tools. About 30% the cost of the Soby.

But the Dremel thing has me intrigued. I was assuming that you use something like an aerial sander meaning the tip spun freely. But you can use a power to tool as well? And is there a noticeable or meaningful difference in the results?

Because if a Dremel will do the same thing as the elf, then I’m very interested in doing that
 
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