Pull vs Push

[bgam65]

Would like turners input. When coring a bowl, does it make much difference whether you use a pull cut or push cut? Pushing seems to be a longer continuous stroke, where as, a pull cut is more like sweeping in a short arcing motion. Or, does it really matter as long as the turner is comfortable with the motion and the tool is sharp.

[masonsailor2]

For me it has to do with the speed of the wood. As the chisel moves from the bottom of the bowl to the outer part of the bowl the wood is going from slow to fast which is an easier transition. Going the opposite direction means I am going from the fast moving part of the bowl to a slower moving part which is harder to control for me.
Paul

[Mike907]

As you both have seen, you can go either direction, but in general, you want to cut "downhill", just as you would while spindle turning. This allows the grain that you are cutting to be supported underneath. This means that when hollowing a bowl, the cut should be from large diameter to small, and when turning the outside, the cut should be from small diameter to large. There is less chance of a catch and you should get a smoother cut.

Mike

[rpd]

As Mike907 said.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnym1IyOPgE[/youtube]

[Dansmith]

Excellent video, Ron. Explains alot of what I have going on with regard to tearout. And I was blaming the wood.