Brilliant Idea or Dumb Idea

I generally hollow the inside and finish sanding and oiling or waxing first, then have the light inside the object and turn the outside when turning thin items. Using this method I have turned goblets with a wall of 0.4 mm which is Having just recently blown through the top of a turned lidded vessel,

Hi Charlie

I think that would be a not so smart idea.

However there are fiber optic cables, and you could tape a bundle to your tool shaft, and have light shine on the one end and bring the light inside that way, another is low voltage bare bulb also taped to the tool shaft to light the inside, but my favorite way is, stop lathe, clean out shavings, measure, etc., Hollow forms are not for the hurrying ones.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

charlie b wrote:

Thin glass and power tools in proximity? If you've got some fixation that thin means skill, attach a flexible shaft light like the mechanics use to the tool itself and watch through the sides. Used to do it with ornaments, now I don't. If you blow through or sand through, so what? Grab another piece of wood and start over.

Suppose I might feel differently if I were buying my wood or using something truly rare.

Wondering how much fun you could have with a fluorescent and an interrupted edge at certain speeds. Bet you could make it run backward optically like the wheels in the movies....

I use one of those cheap flexible led lights, Charlie... Still have to stop the lathe but no tool rest moving or anything... nice for checking some thin bowls, too...

Mac

You don't need to complicate it with a ring lamp - put a spotlight where it shines on the bowl, and gauge the thickness of the bowl while the piece is spinning by looking at the color of the spot. ie, you don't need to have the whole piece lit, just as you don't need to have a circular cutter to turn it round - a single point will do as you turn the piece.

Look up Peter Bloch (blochofwood) who demonstates this technique from time to time, and uses it to turn lampshades.

If you don't mind me asking.. could you explain a little more on the light source. What kind of light are you using and how do you suspend it in the bowl. Are you attaching it to the quill on the tailstock and running it in that way..?

Photos now posted PING Jim Hall From rec.crafts.woodturning Re: Brilliant Idea or Dumb Idea Photo 1

What you're describing, I think I'd pass on... but I do use light for thin stuff. What I do is take a floor standing goosneck lamp with a cone shaped shade that we decided didn't look very good in the house and shine it directly into the hole used for hollowing. They sell decorative bulbs at the store that have very thick glass and come in high wattages that are great for the purpose.

And yes, I've used this for making lampshades. Easiest way I've found was to hollow first, then shine the light in while turning away the outside. It's by far the easiest way to insure a consistant level of translucentity (if that's even a word...)

Careful of the wood selection, of course- wet wood turned that thin cracks sometimes, and when there's that little material holding the wall together, you don't need to cut through. The air whipping past a hairline crack is sometimes enough to make the thing explode. Exciting, but not exactly safe!

Charlie - there is a small bright light that you can tape to your tool just behind the cutting edge, that will give you sufficient light to turn a consistently thin wall. The cord is taped at a couple spots along the handle. I've seen these used a number of times - just have not had the need myself. Sorry I don't have a source for this - but suspect a bit of googling or talking to major suppliers will turn it up. - Hought