End Grain tearing

[batesvillebuck]

Hello, just recently started doing some small mugs, etc on a lathe.  Having a lot of trouble with end grain tearing out on some of the different species.  Any tricks to keep this from happening?

 

[btulloh]

Razor sharp tools help. A power strop for the final step. 

With that piece on the left end the grain orientation guarantees tear out thought. In a piece like your mug there's so many grain variations that it'll be a fight all the way to the finish line. Higher speeds and sharp edges can help. I hate to use sandpaper but that may the only way to cleanup at the end. Then buff. 

Nice looking piece. Lot of end grain there to fight with!

[Larry]

When I turn, every cut I make is a practice cut for my final cut.  By that I mean as soon as I get the project round I try a cut to see how clean it is.  So, if I was using a bowl gouge on your project I would try a push cut, than a shear slicing cut, and finally a shear scraping cut.  If one was better than the rest that would be the cut I used near the end.  If none of the cuts were good I might switch to a spindle gouge and see what that does.

Sometimes none of the cuts work, especially in punky wood.  Than you can try to stiffen the fibers.  I normally do that with sanding sealer but you can also use thined lacquer wiped on, or even ca glue.

[low_48]

What tool are you using?

[ron barnes]

As stated above, sharp tools,  higher speed and sandpaper as required.

[batesvillebuck]

low_48, I am using Simple Woodturning Tools (all new, full size carbide insert tools): simple roughing tool to get it round, then simple turning & hollowing tool to get to finished size.