Rounding Question

Hi Guys:

Been a lonnng time since I've been over here. Not trying to avoid you all, just haven't been doing that much turning. But recently fired up my trusty HF lathe to turn some wooden carving mallets for the older son - apparently I've gotten him interested in carving out some wooden Tikis. By the way, my HF lathe is about 9-10 years old now, and still working just fine - painted yellow, of course.

Wasn't about to waste any of my air dried wood on him, so glued up a couple of chunks of 2X4 together, squared them up by running them thru my planer, and cut them for three different length mallets.

The 2X4s were soft pine, so figured no problem using a gouge and rounding them off. The theory was better than the doing. Course it mighta helped if I'd sharpend the gouge a bit first, but didn't bother. Well, did get them rounded (using a lare wood rasp, while the lathe was runnning - worked well, just a bit slower thn I caed for),then proceded turning 3 various length mallets for him. Actually, they come out quite nicely, if you don't care about the flue line, and if I need more in the future, may well do it the same way.

But, a few days back picked up a hand power planer at a HF sidewalk sale. For $25, figured I couldn't go wrong.

So, figured next time Iturn something, rather than rounding it first, or try rounding it in the lathe as before, I'd try using the hand planer on the stock, while the lathe is running..

The question is: Has any of you used a hand power planer this way? And, if so, any down side?

I'll be checking back. Thanks.

Later.

JOAT Politician \Pol`i*ti"cian\, n. Latin for career criminal

Reply to
J T
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Even though you're not the trolling type, this sure sounds like one.

Using a wood rasp with the lathe running? NO!

Using a power planer with the lathe running? HELL NO!

Use the gouge, sharpen if necessary. Start with very light cuts to knock off the corners, then raise the handle to rub the bevel. You can also rip the corners off first using the bandsaw or table saw.

Buddy

Reply to
Buddy Matlosz

A lot of folks will be checking back!!

Reply to
Lobby Dosser

Please don't. The only safe way to cut the wood while it's turning is with a tool that's designed to be supported by the toolrest. The last thing you want is to have the lathe throw a running planer at you.

I've used a hand power planer with the lathe, but not while it's running. Find the spindle lock on the lathe and LOCK THE SPINDLE. Then use the plane to power-carve the blank, using the lathe to simply hold the blank in place.

But, what you probably don't realize is that soft pine is sometimes

*harder* to turn cleanly because it really needs a sharp edge, else the blunt edge just mangles the wood instead of cutting it. You can sharpen a gouge with a high speed 6" grinder, so no excuses there - any grinder will do. It just takes a light touch and a little patience. Try poplar next time, or an inexpensive harder wood (around here, that's maple). Or a tree branch. But *do* sharpen the gouge; it will make a big difference.

With a sharp gouge, you might find it's faster to use the lathe as it's intended, than to use the planer. I only use the planer when the blank is too out of balance to safely spin up, and then only to balance the wood.

Reply to
DJ Delorie

If the mallets are indeed pine, or possibly spruce, you'll be remaking them often. Ring porous woods make lousy mallets. Also make splintery turning when the tool's not sharp and the pressure tries to compensate.

You're supposed to be planing with the gouge, not gouging or rasping. Don't do it Norm's way, do it Roy's way and it'll surprise you how easy it is.

I 've use hand planes on the lathe, both powered and un, but I wouldn't trust two spinning things in conflict, controlled by my hand. Have to be some serious motion-limiting jig in use.

Reply to
George

Nice troll, JOAT!

LOL...

Bob

Reply to
rverne

Actually, JOAT's a regular on rec.woodworking, and based on his past posts, this isn't a troll. He's just much more creative at how he approaches tasks than most people.

Reply to
DJ Delorie

Sun, Jun 11, 2006, 9:13pm: snipped-for-privacy@optonline.net (Buddy=A0Matlosz) doth sayeth: Even though you're not the trolling type, this sure sounds like one. Using a wood rasp with the lathe running? NO! Using a power planer with the lathe running? HELL NO! Use the gouge, sharpen if necessary. Start with very light cuts to knock off the corners, then raise the handle to rub the bevel. You can also rip the corners off first using the bandsaw or table saw.

Moi? Trolleth? Nah, not this time.

Actually, the wood rasp worked pretty nicely. Get a good grip on both ends, don't apply a huge amount of pressure, and no prob. I've had the gouge jerk on knots, or hard sections - don't have that problem with the wood rasp. So, until I actually get to trying it, I don't see any problem using the power planer the same way.

Yeah, I knew I shoulda used a saw to rough it round, but decided to see how long it would take with just the gouge. In truth, the gouge wasn't really dull, and I was only taking light cuts. But, it was taking longer than I cared to mess with - a result of not rounding it first.

I did find that if I used a parting tool, not real deep cuts, about

1/8" apart, then get the standing sections, that worked pretty well. Faster than just the gouge.

If I'd known I'd get so many responses from you rec.woodworking guys, I'd just have posted there instead of here.

JOAT Politician \Pol`i*ti"cian\, n. Latin for career criminal

Reply to
J T

Mon, Jun 12, 2006, 1:43am (EDT+4) snipped-for-privacy@verizon.net (Lobby=A0Dosser) doth sayeth: A lot of folks will be checking back!!

Nothing like learning something new.

JOAT Politician \Pol`i*ti"cian\, n. Latin for career criminal

Reply to
J T

Sun, Jun 11, 2006, 10:14pm snipped-for-privacy@delorie.com (DJ=A0Delorie) doth sayeth: Please don't. The only safe way to cut the wood while it's turning is with a tool that's designed to be supported by the toolrest. The last thing you want is to have the lathe throw a running planer at you.

I've used a hand power planer with the lathe, but not while it's running. Find the spindle lock on the lathe and LOCK THE SPINDLE. But, what you probably don't realize is that soft pine is sometimes

*harder* to turn cleanly because it really needs a sharp edge, else the blunt edge just mangles the wood instead of cutting it. You can sharpen a gouge with a high speed 6" grinder,

With a sharp gouge, you might find it's faster to use the lathe as it's intended, than to use the planer. I only use the planer when the blank is too out of balance to safely spin up, and then only to balance the wood.

I take it you've never had a gouge "catch" in a knot? It's not like I'm gonna let the planer be supported by the wood.

Why bother? Rather than going thru that, I'd just knock off the edges with a saw.

Yep, I realize. And the gouge wasn't really dull. And, even it if was, I don't sharpen on a grinder. I find it faster, and easier, to sharpen on a sanding belt.

JOAT Politician \Pol`i*ti"cian\, n. Latin for career criminal

Reply to
J T

Mon, Jun 12, 2006, 6:15am George@least (George) doth sayeth: If the mallets are indeed pine, or possibly spruce, you'll be remaking them often. Ring porous woods make lousy mallets. Also make splintery turning when the tool's not sharp and the pressure tries to compensate.

You're supposed to be planing with the gouge, not gouging or rasping. Don't do it Norm's way, do it Roy's way and it'll surprise you how easy it is.

I 've use hand planes on the lathe, both powered and un, but I wouldn't trust two spinning things in conflict, controlled by my hand. Have to be some serious motion-limiting jig in use.

Pine, spruce, fir. All the same family, so didn't bother to differentiate. I've got some I made from what I know is pine, years ago, and they're all holding up well, except for the one my son's dog sneaked out of the shop and used for a chew toy - and I even still use that one. So, "often" is relative.

Yeah, I know how to use a gouge, it was just taking too long.

I don't see using a power plane with the lathe running as any worse than using hand plane. I think the hand plane might tend to catch in a know, where a power plane wouldn't.

JOAT Politician \Pol`i*ti"cian\, n. Latin for career criminal

Reply to
J T

Mon, Jun 12, 2006, 4:37am (EDT-3) From: snipped-for-privacy@nc.rr.com Nice troll, JOAT! LOL...

Just listen, and learn

JOAT Politician \Pol`i*ti"cian\, n. Latin for career criminal

Reply to
J T

Mon, Jun 12, 2006, 10:34am snipped-for-privacy@delorie.com (DJ=A0Delorie) doth clarify: Actually, JOAT's a regular on rec.woodworking, and based on his past posts, this isn't a troll. He's just much more creative at how he approaches tasks than most people.

Usta was a regular there. Now, quite irregular. I put at least part of my approaches down to different generation, and different history.

JOAT Politician \Pol`i*ti"cian\, n. Latin for career criminal

Reply to
J T

This does not sound safel, and probably not a good idea. You can cut off the corners using a band saw to reduce lathe time. Also, beware of HF power tools, The "Chicago" brand and those "Made in China" power tools are very low quality.

Reply to
Phisherman

J T rasped, " Usta was...." A lot of us usta was and now ain't. Maybe it's better when we aren't understood. Anyhow rcw is a civil and forgiving group. Welcome back, J T. Not that I'd trust anybody who uses WebTv. We don't get half of what's going on. :) Potential COC candidate, Kevin?

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

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Reply to
Arch

Yes. I snapped the end of the tool off once, too. But the toolrest absorbed the shock, not my body.

Well, at 3000 RPM and a 1.25" roughing gouge, I can round a square blank faster than I can set up the saw.

Reply to
DJ Delorie

Mon, Jun 12, 2006, 6:32pm (EDT+4) snipped-for-privacy@nobody.com (Phisherman) doth speak: This does not sound safel, and probably not a good idea. You can cut off the corners using a band saw to reduce lathe time. Also, beware of HF power tools, The "Chicago" brand and those "Made in China" power tools are very low quality.

OK, glad we're all in agreement on the safety issue. I'll give this a try in a day or so, and let you all know how it turns out.

And, yeah, I already knew I could have knocked the corners off before I started, that's not the point.

Beware of HF power tools? Based on what? I've got some going on

10 years old, and no problems with any of them. Go visit a HF store sometime, and check out the all contractors in there buying power tools. And, as far as I know ALL the "Chicago" tools are made in China. My little HF benchsaw is 9-10 years old, and working fine. Cost me about $60 new - and I saw brand name saws, that looked like the same maker, going for $300, when I bought mine. It's noisy, sure, but with a carbide blade it cuts wood just like a "high quality" saw.

JOAT Politician \Pol`i*ti"cian\, n. Latin for career criminal

Reply to
J T

power planer?? *shudder*

no way bro.. and I do some pretty stupid things... lol

you might try the power planed when the lathe is not running, maybe with the spindle locked... and us the planed long ways (with the grain?) on each corner...

I will admit to using a 12" surform to take bark off a few times.... Be sure to stand on the other side of the lathe when using these or your wood rasp so that when (not if) you lose your grip on it, it hits the wall, not you..

Mac

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Reply to
mac davis

Mon, Jun 12, 2006, 2:57pm snipped-for-privacy@webtv.net (Arch) doth sayeth: . Not that I'd trust anybody who uses WebTv. We don't get half of what's going on. :)

No prob, most of it is'nt worth catching anyway. Besides, I've never figured out any actual need for a computer. I've got access to the web. Even heard there's some free plans on there, somewhere. Found a good PDF reader, and got a printer. Life is basically good.

JOAT Politician \Pol`i*ti"cian\, n. Latin for career criminal

Reply to
J T

Mon, Jun 12, 2006, 3:29pm snipped-for-privacy@delorie.com (DJ=A0Delorie) doth sayeth: Well, at 3000 RPM and a 1.25" roughing gouge, I can round a square blank faster than I can set up the saw.

Ah, I'm thinking mine's set a bit slower. Might have to crank it up a bit.

JOAT Politician \Pol`i*ti"cian\, n. Latin for career criminal

Reply to
J T

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