So, I have been turning some very dry big leaf maple. Generally, I use a shear scrape to get the best possible surface before sanding. In experimenting, It seems that there are huge differences between green and dry wood when it comes to finish cuts. The best finish cut I could get on this soft maple, but very dry, was with a negative rake scraper. Generally, I won't use any scraper other than across the bottom of the bowl, but never in the transition or on the walls. The reason is that I get more tear out. I do follow Tomislav, and have often puzzled over his use of a 50 degree bevel scraper for his finish cuts. I did ask him once, since I pretty much always turn sloppy wet wood, how much difference was there between green and dry wood, and he commented back, not much. Now, I am wondering if the differences are much bigger than I had thought. Comments?
Side note, I like the cubitron abrasives. I was starting sanding the BLM bowls at 80 grit, but it seemed to be cutting like 60 grit. I did switch to starting at 120 grit, and did find one patch of tear out in one bowl, so had to start at 80 grit again. Still, it took me about half the time to sand 4 bowls than normal. The experiments continue.
robo hippy
Side note, I like the cubitron abrasives. I was starting sanding the BLM bowls at 80 grit, but it seemed to be cutting like 60 grit. I did switch to starting at 120 grit, and did find one patch of tear out in one bowl, so had to start at 80 grit again. Still, it took me about half the time to sand 4 bowls than normal. The experiments continue.
robo hippy