New (to me) steady rest idea for goblets

I really don't use steady rests as much as I should.. seems like they're in the my way a lot... gets to be a problem with goblets and glasses..

Great idea in the Winter AAW magazine in the tips section and I tried it this morning:

After hollowing and sanding the inside of the bowl, I put a tennis ball in the bottom of the bowl and brought the tail stock up to it with a cup center on it.. Works GREAT! Why didn't I know about this a couple of years ago, or at least a couple of weeks ago when I started the "goblets from hell" for a client?

mac

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Reply to
mac davis
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"mac davis" wrote: clip) Why didn't I know about this a couple of years ago, (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Then, do you also know about the "string steady" invented by Escaulen? He also invented a very interesting ball chuck, for off-axis turning.

Reply to
Leo Lichtman

You weren't keeping up on your reading. Old technique, but a good one. I simply take the (Oneway) steady I used at 9:00 and move it to 3:00 when I'm refining the exterior. The Nova, and I think, some other rotating tails allow you to make tapered plywood disks of any size and bolt them to the rotating center. Works as well as tennis balls or wooden cones, in my experience.

Reply to
George

Hi Mac, I wonder if AAW would publish a tip about the inclined plane or maybe a little more up to date, the wheel. I bet it's more likely you once knew about the tennis ball and just forgot about it. :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

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Reply to
Arch

"Arch" wrote: (clip) a little more up to date, the wheel. (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I don't think I have heard about that one, Arch. Could you post a link? And the plane, also, if you're so inclined.

Reply to
Leo Lichtman

Hi Mac, I suppose a tennis ball would work but it seems to me it would be a bit cumbersome. I use a piece of styrofoam. Some use a paper towel but I prefer the styrofoam. Bob

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Reply to
turnerbob

Sounds kinda kinky Leo, but tell me about it..

mac

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Reply to
mac davis

I'd rather go with the tennis ball, George... the inside of the bowl was sanded to 1500 grit and I don't wanna do that again.. ;-]

mac

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Reply to
mac davis

nope.. totally new tome, Arch... and I'm easily impressed..

I was using a turned cone in the toe of a sock, but the tennis ball is easier and "one size fits all".. I actually read the tip a few weeks ago and didn't try it because these goblets have a 3 1/2" bell.. I didn't realize until this morning that though in the picture the ball was larger than the bell opening, it works as well or better if the ball is inside the bell.. maybe because it contacts closer to the stem?

mac

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Reply to
mac davis

I know about the plane, but only from Fantasy island reruns..

mac

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Reply to
mac davis

I can't say how the tennis ball would work on a smaller goblet, but it fits snugly in the bottom of mine and just sort of sits there until I bring the tail stock forward..

mac

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Reply to
mac davis

"mac davis" wrote: String steady? Sounds kinda kinky Leo, but tell me about it ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Escaulen shows this idea at his demos, by turning goblets or trembleurs that are fantastically tall. He cuts out a wooden "question mark," and supports it from the ways so the stem goes through the center of the loop (it is adjustable.) He drives four small nails equally spaced around the loop, and winds string radially from the nails to the goblet stem, so there is support in four directions. He ties the strings and stem together with a short piece of string, tied in a knot. The stem can spin inside the knot, but it is gently supported--maybe every 6 to 8". He can turn stuff a couple feet in length and maybe 1/8" diameter.

I suppose a string, looped in this way, and tied with a knot could be considered "kinky." Whatever *turns* you on.

Reply to
Leo Lichtman

Hi Mac, The type of styrofoam I use is the type that things come packed in. It's fairly soft. I've been using foam for years and have never seen a scratch. I like the fact that I can shape it to any size easily. I'm sure the tennis ball works but I would prefer having something that goes inside the cup to better support the piece laterally. Especially with a thin stem goblet. I've turned a lot of goblets but never with 3.5 " id. At that size I imagine the tennis ball works very well. Bob

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Reply to
turnerbob

I've never tried it and don't know if it works, but maybe it will impress Mac. :)

I think I vaguely remember that for holding and steadying fragile goblets to do the stems, polyurethane foam sealant can be sprayed in the cup and when it hardens the tailcenter can be applied to it. I know it sticks to wood, so how to get it out later? Line the cup with saran? Plus how would you judge how much the foam will expand. The expanding & hardening foam could possibly have had other uses.

Just forget I brought it up, Mac. Best to serve a tennis ball and ace that goblet. Just be careful not to double fault. Arragh!

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

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Reply to
Arch

I don't do that ever, but an angled groove in the plywood disk holds just the rim if you are fastidious, and in no way prevents you from reburnishing once you're done.

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Dental floss is strong and prewaxed. Plus the mint scent can cove up any residual from the mothballs!

Reply to
George

holy crap! If you're going to make all those wood parts, you might as well put brackets and roller blade wheels on 'em..

mac

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Reply to
mac davis

I might have to try that on smaller goblet bowls, bob... These are large enough for the tennis ball to bottom out in the bowl, so it seems to center well.. I was amazed at how much vibration it stopped... much better than my steady rest did..

mac

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Reply to
mac davis

Yeah, I looked at the link that George posted.. looks way more complicated than putting a tennis ball inside the bowl and using the tail stock.. Now, if I can find an assortment of different diameter tennis or rubber balls.. ;-]

mac

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Reply to
mac davis

Well put, as usual, Arch.. I just thought that I'd post the tennis ball idea because it was new to me and might help a few folks.. I wouldn't even be doing goblets if I hadn't of got hooked on Dick Sing's long pens and learned his "thumb steady rest" technique..

mac

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Reply to
mac davis

Mac, you seem to be blending two different issues. The tennis ball/sytrofoam/toilet paper inside the goblet is doing a different job from the string steady. The latter is strictly for controlling deflection and vibration in a long thin stem. One of the former devices is still needed to stabilize the bowl.

BTW, IMO, it would not be as easy or effective to run roller blade wheels against a very thin stem as string.

Reply to
Leo Lichtman

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