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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
 
Mark Hepburn said:
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
Click to expand...
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27QSh-_-Q-A&pp=ygUYRElZIEVMRiB0b29sIHdvb2R0dXJuaW5n
Mike Peace shows how .. or one way to ...
 
Sorby makes a small spiraling tool that works well, the little brother to the much bigger Sorby spiraling tool. And there is the Decorating Elf tool that also woks well. I have and use all of those mentioned plus the Wagner Texturing tools which also work but I seem to never use them much. When demoing at a sales venue I always have a chatter tool along as most of what we make are tops for the kids and we let the kids pick out the colors to color the tops.
 
Bill Blasic said:
Sorby makes a small spiraling tool that works well, the little brother to the much bigger Sorby spiraling tool. And there is the Decorating Elf tool that also woks well. I have and use all of those mentioned plus the Wagner Texturing tools which also work but I seem to never use them much. When demoing at a sales venue I always have a chatter tool along as most of what we make are tops for the kids and we let the kids pick out the colors to color the tops.
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I looked st both and they’re much less than the large Sorby. But making one like the one Mike Peace showed in his video looks like a fun project.
 
I wrote an article on building the Elf tool. I think its in Woodturning Fundamentals. You can do a lot of texturing with the Dremel but it doesn't work like the Elf. I thought it would but the cutter doesn't rotate free enough. You don't need the magnet in tge bottom of tge hole. The tool is used handle down. Just drill a hole in a steel rod slightly larger than the dremel cutter shaft. Add a drop of oil and put the cutter in. If you don't use the magnet in the bottom simply remove the cutter and store it between use.
There is a good article on building a Chatter tool in one if the AAW magazines last year. You should be able to find it with a little searching.
 
john lucas said:
I wrote an article on building the Elf tool. I think its in Woodturning Fundamentals. You can do a lot of texturing with the Dremel but it doesn't work like the Elf. I thought it would but the cutter doesn't rotate free enough. You don't need the magnet in tge bottom of tge hole. The tool is used handle down. Just drill a hole in a steel rod slightly larger than the dremel cutter shaft. Add a drop of oil and put the cutter in. If you don't use the magnet in the bottom simply remove the cutter and store it between use.
There is a good article on building a Chatter tool in one if the AAW magazines last year. You should be able to find it with a little searching.
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Well that's unbelievably simple and certainly inexpensive. Thanks John. I'm going to do this instead of trying to mimic the Sorby or Elf. Stick a handle on it and done.

:)
 
Mark, I had the large Sorby, but eventually sold it. It worked fine, but I bought the small Sorby and I use it all the time. I made a “elf” tool and it works, but I use the Sorby 90% of the time, I also have a chatter tool, but I am not that good at using it correctly. I don’t have a Wagner, but always thought about buying one.
 
William Rogers said:
Mark, I had the large Sorby, but eventually sold it. It worked fine, but I bought the small Sorby and I use it all the time. I made a “elf” tool and it works, but I use the Sorby 90% of the time, I also have a chatter tool, but I am not that good at using it correctly. I don’t have a Wagner, but always thought about buying one.
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Thanks William. I haven't run across the small Sorby yet but I'm going to take a loo at it. So you don't use your homemade Elf tool much? Not happy with results or something else? Just curious :-)
 
@Mark Hepburn Mark. I don’t use my homemade elf tool much as it seems one dimensional to me. I bought the Sorby from Craft Supplies. Word of caution as you may find a cheaper price, but some do not include the texturing wheel.

woodturnerscatalog.com

Robert Sorby Micro Spiraling/Texturing Tool 4 Piece Set

A small scale version of the Robert Sorby® Spiraling/Texturing Tool, the Robert Sorby® Micro Spiraling/Texturing Tool allows you to create one-of-a-kind textures and spiral patterns on small diameter work.The built-in tool saddle with reference marks allows you to clamp the tool shaft in place...
woodturnerscatalog.com woodturnerscatalog.com
 
I guess mine are a little more non traditional. I use a pneumatic mini needle scaling tool. I bought extra sets if needles and ground the tips to different shapes. Another is a star wheel grinding wheel dresser. I removed a couple of the stars and sharpened the points of the stars that remained. It makes a more random texture that is perfect for doing acorn caps for Christmas ornaments.
 
I made a chatter tool and an elf tool a la Mike Peace. I also have the Wagner texturing tool and the Sorby micro spiraling tool. I use the Sorby tool far more than the others. With the different wheels, it is far more versatile and useful for both end grain and side grain. Yes, it is more expensive; but I think it is worth the investment.
 
I made 2 of the tools Mike Peace showed in his video. I’ve only played a little with them and forgot they were in a drawer.
 

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Mark Hepburn said:
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?
Click to expand...
Mark, I used all the tools mentioned above for various projects. I think the best tool for your needs is a knurling tool (i.e. Wagner) especially one with a narrow width (¼" or ⅜") and smaller teeth (16 tpi). The tool can be dragged to produce any width band (almost) you want.
Here are two (hopefully) images with what I think you are looking for.

1763405241556.png1763405288462.png
 
Tom Gall said:
Mark, I used all the tools mentioned above for various projects. I think the best tool for your needs is a knurling tool (i.e. Wagner) especially one with a narrow width (¼" or ⅜") and smaller teeth (16 tpi). The tool can be dragged to produce any width band (almost) you want.
Here are two (hopefully) images with what I think you are looking for.

View attachment 81668View attachment 81669
Click to expand...

Beautiful work Tom! Yes, that's the kind of thing that I am wanting to do, along with some embellishments on spindle items like back scratchers, shoe horns and candlesticks.

Looked on Amazon fort the Wagner and they don't have it. Craft Supplies does, at $50. There's a Ron Brown tool on Amazon for $30. I know that one usually get what they pay for, but what do you think? Anybody else have any thoughts here?

Thanks!
 
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