newbie observations

Spent quite a bit of time making shavings and have a few observations.

I really need to build a custom stand for my little lathe. I put it on one of those commercial tool stands and after a day of turning, figured out why my back is killing me. Thing is way too high. The spindle height is about 6" above my elbow.

Brand new tools need to be sharpened.

Bought a Barracuda chuck which seems to be a big help. Although I had something happen that confused me. I chucked in a piece of maple 1 1/2 x 1

1/2 x6. Roughed it round. Played around with some shapes and had something that looked like an egg cup so I parted off the end and tried some end grain hollowing. Went ok for a bit but had the tool catch and then the wood moved just a tad in the jaws. I couldn't seem to rechuck it where it was on the original axis.

Trying to decide if I chucked it wrong or just didn't tighten the jaws enough. I'm guessing the latter.

Also, I had a problem trying to get rid of the little "pip" in the center of the hollowed out area. I'm guessing a drilled hole down the center would make it easier. Also seems that it would be easier to use a Forstner bit to drill out most of the wood and use the chisels for clean up

Found that if the tool rest is too far from the work, I got a lot of chatter.

I am right handed - found that I am most comfortable with left and on tool and right on handle. I found it uncomfortable when I switched that. How d most of you turn - left handed, right handed or ambi?

God learning experiences - have ordered some of the books and DVD's recommended.

Having fun and that's what it's al about!

Vic

Reply to
Vic Baron
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What kind of jaws do you have on the chuck? One way to align a spindle is a tailstock live center with a cone attachment. The cone can be reversed to fit inside a hollowed turning to stabilize it. This is a picture of one, but you may be able to find it cheaper than this.

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Reply to
Gerald Ross

My General mini sits on a cabinet. Was just the right height for my previous lathe, but the General sits higher. I just took a couple of

2x4s and built a "duckboard" to stand on. Works, and the price was right.

I'm left handed, but find that some cuts work better one way and some the other. You'll probably find the same thing as you continue.

Reply to
Larry Blanchard

you may have done nothing wrong - a catch puts enormous forces onto the piece and will shift the wood in a chuck and the fibers deform, so it's nearly impossible to get it back perfectly - but don't worry about it - keep practicing and you will learn to avoid the catches

Reply to
Bill

Thanx!

Reply to
Vic Baron

On Sat, 8 Oct 2011 15:46:42 -0500, Vic Baron wrote (in message ):

not only thaty, but you may prefer a different shape and angle. frequent touch-ups are good, to keep that edge sharp. As with any and all cutting tools, you will injure or cut yourself more easily with a dull tool than a sharp one.

one of the little things about round stuff and machines. Once the work is jarred out of its center, it is pretty darn difficult to get it back just exactly right.

yeah, that little pip is kinda like your final exam. You will learn what works for you. There is no real single correct answer for that. Whatever works and is not scary or dangerous is right.

yup, this is correct observation.

I am severely right-handed. I work with my right hand on the tool handle and the left hand on the tool bit, guiding it and steadying it on the rest. Left foot is forward, right foot somewhat back, as approriate for balance, the weight shifting back and forth depending on just what I'm doing. My forearms are approximately level, or parallel with the floor.

again, yup, correct observation

Reply to
tom koehler

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