Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Why do I keep getting spiral marks on my spindle turning?
Nine times out of ten it comes down to leaning into the bevel instead of keeping the tool moving in a straight line. In this Workshop Extras I show you exactly what causes those horrible spiral rub marks and the small changes that get rid of them for good.How should I actually hold a spindle gouge?
Tucked into your body, not controlled by your hands. Handle into your ribs or hip, one hand halfway up the tool, the other over the top at the rest. That gives you three points of contact and a genuinely stable cut.What is "direction of travel" and why does it matter?
Every spindle gouge has an imaginary arrow running from the heel of the bevel through to the tip. Move that arrow through the cut in the shape you want, and your surface finish improves instantly, on any angle of tool rest.What actually causes bevel rub marks?
Leaning on the bevel to force the cut in a straight line. I show you the cut done properly and then done badly, side by side, so you can hear and see the difference.Does the tool rest position make a difference?
Yes. Keep the rest close to the work to cut down on vibration, and you'll lose those spiral marks almost immediately.Chapters:
0:00 The problem: spiral tool marks on spindle work
0:17 How to hold the spindle gouge
1:10 Understanding direction of travel
2:02 Clean cut demo: bevel parallel to the tool rest
3:22 The bevel technique: what causes the rub and spiral marks
5:00 Fixing a badly aligned bevel
6:09 Applying it at any tool rest angle
7:22 Cutting across the face in an arc
8:00 Applying direction of travel to curves
9:35 Lifting the handle as the diameter decreases
10:55 Key tips recap
11:49 Final tip: practice on tulip wood
🎓 Want to learn in person? I run woodturning courses at my school in Hampshire for all levels — from complete beginners through to more advanced techniques. Details at www.thewoodturning.school
🛢️ My Finishes: yandles.co.uk/shop/?manufacturer=martin-saban-smith-woodturning
📘 Design and proportion in woodturning — I wrote the book: msabansmith.com/shop
📍 Based at Garthowen Garden Centre, Four Marks, Hampshire — next to the South Downs National Park.
🌐 msabansmith.com
Facebook — Me: facebook.com/msabansmith
Facebook — Woodturning School: facebook.com/thewoodturningschool
Instagram — Me: instagram.com/msabansmith
Instagram — School: instagram.com/thewoodturningschool
The visual video content (including my voice), any text and any graphics in the video are Copyright © Woodturning Online Ltd 2015–2026. All rights reserved.
Why do I keep getting spiral marks on my spindle turning?
Nine times out of ten it comes down to leaning into the bevel instead of keeping the tool moving in a straight line. In this Workshop Extras I show you exactly what causes those horrible spiral rub marks and the small changes that get rid of them for good.How should I actually hold a spindle gouge?
Tucked into your body, not controlled by your hands. Handle into your ribs or hip, one hand halfway up the tool, the other over the top at the rest. That gives you three points of contact and a genuinely stable cut.What is "direction of travel" and why does it matter?
Every spindle gouge has an imaginary arrow running from the heel of the bevel through to the tip. Move that arrow through the cut in the shape you want, and your surface finish improves instantly, on any angle of tool rest.What actually causes bevel rub marks?
Leaning on the bevel to force the cut in a straight line. I show you the cut done properly and then done badly, side by side, so you can hear and see the difference.Does the tool rest position make a difference?
Yes. Keep the rest close to the work to cut down on vibration, and you'll lose those spiral marks almost immediately.Chapters:
0:00 The problem: spiral tool marks on spindle work
0:17 How to hold the spindle gouge
1:10 Understanding direction of travel
2:02 Clean cut demo: bevel parallel to the tool rest
3:22 The bevel technique: what causes the rub and spiral marks
5:00 Fixing a badly aligned bevel
6:09 Applying it at any tool rest angle
7:22 Cutting across the face in an arc
8:00 Applying direction of travel to curves
9:35 Lifting the handle as the diameter decreases
10:55 Key tips recap
11:49 Final tip: practice on tulip wood
🎓 Want to learn in person? I run woodturning courses at my school in Hampshire for all levels — from complete beginners through to more advanced techniques. Details at www.thewoodturning.school
🛢️ My Finishes: yandles.co.uk/shop/?manufacturer=martin-saban-smith-woodturning
📘 Design and proportion in woodturning — I wrote the book: msabansmith.com/shop
📍 Based at Garthowen Garden Centre, Four Marks, Hampshire — next to the South Downs National Park.
🌐 msabansmith.com
Facebook — Me: facebook.com/msabansmith
Facebook — Woodturning School: facebook.com/thewoodturningschool
Instagram — Me: instagram.com/msabansmith
Instagram — School: instagram.com/thewoodturningschool
The visual video content (including my voice), any text and any graphics in the video are Copyright © Woodturning Online Ltd 2015–2026. All rights reserved.
