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Calcimator

Turning Tool Angle Calculator

Bevel angle and presentation angle for different tools.

Inputs

Results

Bevel angle (deg)

50

Grind range min (deg)45
Grind range max (deg)55
Clearance angle (deg)40
Ideal rest height (in)5.5
Wing grind angle (deg)60
Jig projection (in)2.1
Rest Below Center0.5
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter Tool type (0-6), Custom bevel angle (deg), and Workpiece diameter (in).
  2. Set Lathe center height (in) and Tool rest height (in).
  3. Review the Bevel angle (deg) result.
  4. Use Grind range min (deg) and Grind range max (deg) to inform your decision.

What each input means

Tool type (0-6)
0=Bowl gouge, 1=Spindle gouge, 2=Roughing gouge, 3=Skew, 4=Parting, 5=Scraper, 6=Hollowing.
Custom bevel angle (deg)
Override the preset bevel angle. Leave at 0 to use the standard angle for the selected tool.
Workpiece diameter (in)
Diameter of the piece being turned (affects surface curvature).
Lathe center height (in)
Height of the lathe spindle center from your reference point.
Tool rest height (in)
Current height of the tool rest top.

What each result means

Bevel angle (deg)
The grinding/sharpening angle for this tool.
Grind range min (deg)
Minimum recommended bevel angle for this tool type.
Grind range max (deg)
Maximum recommended bevel angle for this tool type.
Clearance angle (deg)
Complementary angle (90 - bevel) relevant for scraper geometry.
Ideal rest height (in)
Recommended tool rest height for this tool (slightly below center for gouges, at center for scrapers).
Wing grind angle (deg)
Swept-back wing angle for bowl gouges (Irish grind). 0 if not applicable.
Jig projection (in)
Approximate tool projection from a Wolverine-style sharpening jig.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Tool type (0-6) = 0, Custom bevel angle (deg) = 0, Workpiece diameter (in) = 8, Lathe center height (in) = 6 = 5 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Bevel angle
    50 = 50
  3. Calculate Grind range min
    Grind range min
    45 = 45
  4. Calculate Grind range max
    Grind range max
    55 = 55

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