Vortex tool

[duncsuss]

This is one of the tools I was introduced to during the course with Stuart Batty - basically a VERY sharp point, used to clean the bottom of notches (such as between two beads or a bead and a fillet, on a spindle turning). It's a 10mm diameter cylindrical rod of HSS, ground to a semi-cylinder at the end, and then sharpened to a point at about 20 degrees. I'm keeping things safe when it's not in use by capping it with the cork from a bottle of Scotch.

The handle is ziricote, and the ferrule is half of a 3/4" copper pipe coupling.

 

[ripjack13]

This is genius. I need to make one.
Very cool looking handle Duncan. Nicely done.

 

[duncsuss]

This is genius. I need to make one.
Very cool looking handle Duncan. Nicely done.

Thanks! This is the HSS rod I used Link to Amazon Any will work - but not too thin or it will be prone to chatter. Seems to work best if there's a bur from the grinder (at least, with the wood species I was using - ash, honey locust and walnut).

 

[trc65]

Cool looking tool.

In some respects, similar to the teardrop tool from D-Way (which I use), but I can envision things yours will do that the teardrop can't. I use the teardrop often to clean up between beads, but it doesn't have as narrow a point as yours. At times wish I had one with a finer point, and now will probably be making one.

 

[duncsuss]

At times wish I had one with a finer point, and now will probably be making one.

It really wasn't difficult - just required some patience and a cup of cold water to dip the steel into from time to time.

What I liked about it was when touched into the bottom of a notch, it created a hard shadow line (but without burning)

 

[Tom Smart]

Cindy Drozda has a similar tool. Here is a short video on how she uses and sharpens it.