Although tool preference will come down to the turners personal preference, not all chisels are made equal. For example, there are specialty chisels for projects like pen or bowl turning that will make your time on the lathe more enjoyable.
We’re going to break down each type of chisel, what they’re best for and why!
Round Finisher
What it’s best for:
- Shaping and smoothing out a blank
A round finisher chisel is a specialized woodworking tool designed for creating intricate, rounded contours and details on a variety of wooden surfaces. Craftsmen and woodworkers use this tool to finesse the finishing touches on their projects, whether it’s shaping decorative edges, curves, or creating concave or convex profiles. The precision and control it offers make it an essential instrument for achieving a polished and refined look in woodworking applications.
Our product pick: ACCU-CUT Round Finisher $79.99
Square Rougher
What it’s best for:
- Removing large amounts of material
- Straight/flat details ex. Tenon, inlay rings
A square rougher chisel is a robust woodworking tool primarily employed for removing excess material and quickly shaping wooden surfaces. Craftsmen often use it during the initial stages of a project to square off corners, flatten rough stock, and establish the foundational shape of a piece of wood. Its sturdy and square-edged design makes it ideal for efficiently hogging off material and preparing the workpiece for more detailed work with other chisels or tools.
Our product pick: ACCU-CUT Square Rougher $79.99
Diamond Detailer
What it’s best for:
- Cutting narrow details
- Dovetail recesses
- Shaping coves
A diamond detailer chisel is a specialized woodworking tool used for adding intricate and precise details to wooden projects. Its sharp, pointed tip is well-suited for carving fine lines, intricate patterns, and delicate accents in woodwork. Woodworkers and craftsmen often use the diamond detailer chisel to enhance the visual appeal of their creations by creating small, decorative features and adding a touch of artistry to their work.
Our product pick: Ci4 Diamond Shaped Carbide Cutter $24.99
*Note: This cutter will only fit on the Easy Start Detailer EWT-9720 or Mid-Size Easy Detailer EWT-7300
Negative Rake
What it’s best for:
- Beveled on each side
- Helps to reduce chipping and catching
- Made for synthetic materials
A negative rake chisel is a cutting tool primarily used in woodworking and metalworking to improve control and stability during cutting or shaping processes. It features a cutting edge that is oriented downward, away from the material being worked on, which reduces the risk of tool chatter and provides enhanced precision. This type of chisel is particularly useful for minimizing tear-out, ensuring clean cuts, and achieving smoother finishes when working with challenging materials or in delicate applications.
Our product pick: Negative Rake Six-sided Carbide Chise
Radius Cutter
What it’s best for:
- Can be used for roughing
- Good for smooth finishing cuts as well
- No sharp corners to catch
A radius cutter chisel is a specialized woodworking tool designed to create smooth and rounded contours in wooden surfaces. It is ideal for shaping concave or convex curves and profiles, allowing woodworkers to add elegance and decorative elements to their projects. Whether crafting decorative edges, furniture details, or architectural features, the radius cutter chisel provides the precision and control needed to achieve aesthetically pleasing, rounded finishes in woodworking applications.
Our product pick: Ci2-R2 2″ Radius Carbide Cutter
Note: This cutter will only fit on the Easy Start Rougher tool EWT-9520 and Mid-Size Easy Rougher EWT-2200
Bowl Gouges
What it’s best for:
- Primarily used for turning bowls
- Can also be used for smaller projects
- Should be sharpened with each use (steel, not carbide)
A bowl gouge chisel is a specialized woodturning tool designed for hollowing out the interior of wooden bowls, vases, and other turned objects. It features a long, curved cutting edge and a deep flute, allowing woodturners to efficiently remove material from the inside of the workpiece while maintaining control and precision. This tool is essential for creating the intricate shapes and smooth finishes that define turned wooden vessels and decorative items.
Our product pick: Set of 3 HSS bowl gouges- 3/8″, 1/2″, 5/8″
Hollowers
What it’s best for:
- Bowl/vessel turning
- Can be used for roughing or finishing
- Hollowing out and shaping outside
- Undercut rim
A hollower chisel is a vital tool in woodturning, primarily used to create concave forms and hollow out the interiors of wooden bowls, vases, and other hollow vessels. This tool features a curved cutting edge and a deep flute, designed to reach and shape the interior contours of the workpiece. Woodturners use hollower chisels to achieve precise and smooth hollow forms, making it an indispensable instrument for crafting functional and decorative wooden vessels.
Our product pick for open bowls: EWT Mid-Size Easy Hollower #1
Our product pick for closed top bowls or vases: EWT Mid-Size Easy Hollower #2
Now that you know a bit more about what chisel may make your turning project a breeze, you may want to try more than one- we don’t blame you! You can check out what we’ve got to offer here.
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