An innocent at Harbor Freight... musing too far outside the box?

What is your drive system? How slow can it go? The slower it can go, the bigger you can get away with. Try this simple test - make up a big platter blank, and mount it. Set your lathe on slow. Turn it on. Are you scared? Too big, cut it smaller, repeat until you are not scared. That size will work. This method does depend on certain self-preservation instincts and common sense - if you lack those, you might be in trouble, but turning is hardly the only place you'll be in trouble. Odds are, having earned (and lived to) the O in COC, Arch will be fine.

Welding or other high heat destroys magnetism, and this tain't a useful variant anyway, IMO. Plus, you might be amazed how much stuff can slide around while being magnetically grabbed, when you start pushing tools into it. Fugedaboutit.

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Either one can bite you, but I'd prefer the arbortech, as it loses one failure mode (broken chain). Then again, a carving chisel/gouge might be the better option. Frankly, I like the stuff some folks turn from either the shell of the nut (might be more sanding than turning) or the palm trunk, and share your lack of attraction for a wooden nut replica...

"Ecnerwal" wrote: (clip) Plus, you might be amazed how much stuff can slide around while being magnetically grabbed, when you start pushing tools into it. Fugedaboutit. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ What he said. If, somehow, you get a magnet strong enough to prevent slipping, how will you get it off or adjust the position when you need to so so deliberately? Those magnetic dial gauge holders are provided with a lever that is connedted to some sort of release mechanism inside.

Thanks Ec. and Leo, Shot down again, but I enjoyed my nanosecond of fame and I'm glad I didn't buy the grounding block. I probably couldn't get the blank off the magnet and like 'Charlie beneath the streets of Boston on the MTA" they would go round forever. :)

Oh well, a controlled magnetic slide & release mechanism might be the basis for a new sliding oval chuck. It'll be less noisy and I'll be famous again for the picosecond .... until it explodes! Wonder how many successful inventors hear my footsteps? Eh, don't answer that. :) Actually, I would appreciate some advice and info re comparisons of Lancelots and Arbotechs by anyone using them. Also some advice on how to make artsy green coconuts, if anyone has done so. Probably similar to apples, pears and such, but before I get started, it's best to ask.

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

No worry, you would have thrown them away in disgust after trying to weld them. Exotic alloys featuring nickle, cobalt and rare earths would have done some spectacular stuff under a flame. Remember your chemistry labs?

I presume they want the husked coconut look? Coat the real thing in resin.

Carbide burrs and die grinders for me. They remove flesh slower.

Arch,

My understanding of the specs for the Nova 3000 is an outboard swing of

Larry

George, The grounding blocks have a removable steel shroud or cap. I had wondered about welding a fitment to it. The faux coconuts are for a 'fern room' to look like the green nuts as they are taken from the tree. Why?...Because! Go figure the nouveau riche and their interior decorators. Like taste. in matters of wealth there is no dispute. :)

Larry, My N3k is VS and can start near zero rpm. I reckon you are right. I should be ok staying within the specs for using the Nova outboard toolrest. They seem overpriced to me and I had tried to buy a used one plus an extra toolrest. Anyone?

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

I did a 13" blank on my Jet 1442 last night... min speed is about 450, which was nice enough for cutting the tenon and stuff, but when it came to truing the outside edge it got pretty interesting... felt like I was at buffing speed..

Mac

Finished turned a 15+ platter on the 3000 last night. Seemed a bit jumpy, then when I finished I noticed I was at 650. Oh well, after some of the pieces I worked on Ol' Blue at 688 minimum, I guess I don't pucker as tightly any more.

Arch I have turned 18" platters on my Craftsman and the minimum speed is 400 rpm. I think I was turning about 800 but I no longer know for sure. My largest on the Record bowl lathe was 18" and its lowest speed is 575 rpm. Record says you can turn up to 24" and used to say up to 36", I believe. I am neither

As examples that aren't quite comparable, (Stubby has a different approach with its movable bed) I think the Stubby has a 90 deg, to the headstock bolt on short bed and the Oneway has a 180 deg. outboard bed extension. Also some of you have probably cobbled your own versions. How about some opinions, corrections and advice as where best to put my 8" bed extension (omitting bathroom humor just this once). I could add it to my swivel head N3k or to my fixed head "old Delta".

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

damn.. that outside rim must have been playing centrifuge!

Mac