The spiralling and texturing tool is a unique way of adding surface decoration to a project. These effects can be applied to bowl, spindle or end-grain work. Check the gallery and see for yourself a sample of the effects possible.The texturing tool features a revolving double bevelled wheel, which when presented to the rotating work at different angles creates different patterns. When the wheel is presented vertically to the work, with the tool horizontal an indented orange peel effect is achieved. By rotating the tool the cutter intersects the wood at different angles and creates various effects.Ideal woods for texturing are those with little or no grain definition, e.g. maple, sycamore, lime, basswood and fruit woods. By experimenting it is easy to find what patterns one prefers on what woods and what project.The spiralling tool is used to create twists on projects. It utilises a wheel with a single bevel to create these effects. There are different sizes of wheel to form different sizes of spiral. The spiralling tool also features an indexed platform. This is used to lock the cutter in position, enable the replication of a specific effect and provide a stable platform to work from.Ideal woods for creating fine delicate spirals such as those formed by the 2mm cutter are close grained woods e.g. fruit woods and harder.If softer or more open grained woods such as ash, oak or lime are used, the wood is not dense enough to support the fine 2mm spirals. However, The larger cutters such as the 4 or 6mm cutters would form bigger spirals that the woods would support.The following check list has been devised to ensure you optimise the full potential of the tool.

• When spiralling check that the cutter being used is a single bevel spiralling cutter - not a texturing cutter. In addition to this the bevel should always be uppermost.
• Check the washers holding the cutter are aligned correctly. Two in the top recess, one underneath the cutter.
• It is vitally important that the work piece is approached with the tool horizontal and the cutter aligned off-horizontal (which causes the cutter to spin, but not cut). Then the tool handle is raised by 10-15 degrees to start type cutting process.
• The first cut is known as the reference cut.
• The speed should be 500 rpm initially. When working on bowls or end grain slow speeds are always used. Once the initial cut has been made on spindle work, the speed can be increased to 1000rpm.
• Check that your cutters are sharp. This can be achieved by running a diamond file around the bevel.
• Check your wood. The denser close woods such as maple and boxwood can be spiralled with all sizes of cutter. The wood is very dense and will support the spiral form. For softer or more open grained woods like cherry and ash used a larger cutter, e.g. 4 or 6mm. The wood is not able to hold very fine detail, by using a bigger cutter there is more strength in the spiral form.