Innovative Tools from Eli Avisera by John Berkeley Reproduced by kind permission of The Woodturner Magazine (May/June 2004, Vol.8 Issue 3)
In the last issue I introduced the Chatter Tool Set of small turning tools developed by Israeli woodturner Eli Avisera and manufactured by Hamlet Craft Tools. Since then, some readers have actually met Eli and seen him at work as a demonstrator at the International Woodworking Exhibition at Alexandra Palace in February. Here then are some more of the innovative tools that he has developed as a result of his expertise and also to cater for the needs of students at his woodworking and woodturning school. In general these tools, which are a little different to the norm, fall into three categories: combination tools, chisels and gouges. The first category of tools is of the combination type. These are all tapered, round nose 'scrapers', but with the addition of a small bevel; it is this which enables them to cut rather than scrape. These tools are ideal for spindle turning, and are easily able to form both beads and coves. They are especially successful when used on a hard wood end grain where a finish can be achieved which requires very little, if any. sanding. A hidden bonus is that the two small ones are easily used by young woodturners. In design the 1/4in. (HCT 401) and 3/8in. (HCT 402) round bar tools are identical and will do most things. Next comes a 3/4in. half round bar combination (HCT 413), which is particularly useful for shear scraping the inside and outside of bowls. The 'big daddy' of them is the 5/8in. round bar combination tool (HCT 412). This can be used for very agressive cuts when hollowing and, because of its dimensions, can be used well over the toolrest. The next type is the chisels and they comprise a rolled edge 3/8in. beading tool (HCT 404), a 1/2in. rolled edge skew chisel (HCT 405), a 3/4in. rolled edge skew chisel (HCT 406), and a 1/8in. parting tool (HCT 403). All of these tools are extremely well finished and are different in that they all incorporate a convex bevel. This idea has been tried before, I am sure, but with these tools it really works. The 3/4 skew is the best I have ever used. It has great solidity in use, and the rolled edges render it very easy to control. The 1/2in. skew is ideal for fine detail work. The parting tool is a little gem, and I have now taken to shaping all my parting tools this way. The beading tool works like any other beading tool but is kinder to the toolrest by virtue of its rolled edges. When sharpened, by moving the chisel gently up and down on the grinding wheel, they are best finished by buffing with a mop to reduce any burrs and give them a polished surface. Ensure the tool is trailing for this operation. Now for the five gouges. They all have very swept back wings and double bevels. HCT 408 and HCT 409 are 3/8in. and 1/2in detail gouges with shallow flutes and fingernail profiles. This profile allows them to get into very tight spaces. The double bevel makes them easier to control and easier to get a clean final cut. The swept back bevels enable planing cuts to be made, further enhancing the use of these lovely tools. All of the gouges can also be used to make shear scraping cuts The other tools currently being made available are the bowl and roughing gouge cousins. These all have an especially deeply milled flute, very well swept back wings and, again, a double bevel. As with most bowl gouges, there is a range of sizes, from a very short 3/8in. gouge (HCT 407), which gives superb control, to the 1/2in. (HCT 410), and 5/8in. (HCT 411) ones. The largest one is especially good for roughing out, in addition to all the conventional uses for such a tool. With such swept back wings they are all able to be used for planing cuts, and also for shear scraping, leaving a fine finish. All these tools are really well designed and very versatile, and I feel sure they have a big future in the woodturning scene. They have been greeted with surprised admiration by several top UK turners whose opinions I value. SHARPENING I thought that sharpening these tools might not be too easy, especially the gouges, however, with the use of the Hamlet Grinding Jig (HCT 300), it is a simple matter. The chisels I find no difficulty with at all. A simple up and down movement on the grinding wheel, with almost no pressure at all, does the job very easily. The combination tools need little more than a hone with a diamond credit card, and occasional grinding. The skews need to be polished, a process which is simplicity itself. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL RANGE OF ELI AVISERA'S TOOLS