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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    Goldcoast
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    191

    Default Turning thin long Spires for pens

    Hi all
    im starting on a new venture. Turning thin long pen holders. I'm struggling to get a nice finish and find it a bit of hit and miss. I find I get a lot of vibration and difficult to get the dimensions and shapes I want. Easier enough on a larger dia spindle ...

    ive looked at a few Utubes where people rest their fingers on the opposite side of the chisel to reduce vibration and chatter.

    is the simple answer sand paper ? The holding diameters are mostly 10-12 mm and lengths vary from 120 to 170 mm ... fairly skinny stuff

    Question - is there an ideal way to do this ?

    Randal
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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2008
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    BELL POST HILL, 3215
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    Default Thin Thin.

    Hi Randel,
    Well, they look pretty good, & I take it they will be Calligraphy Pens.
    You never mentioned what Chisel you used or the speed of the Lathe.
    I do a few Lace Bobbins, & my Ladies like the the neck super thin.
    So I Turn on 3000RPM, use 3 different Skew Chisels.
    Rough down with my P&N 3/4in. x 1/4in Skew, long point.
    Takes some doing, but with practice it comes to you.
    The Thicker part I use my 12 x 6mm. Chinese Steel ( McJing )Short Point, & then for the 2-3mm. neck I use a 5 x 5mm. McJing Steel Short Point with a LLLong Bevel.
    That 5x5 works a treat.
    Using this method it is a Thumb & Finger job & with my Index Finger I steady the wood. Easier to do than to write about it.
    All I can say from this is Practice Practice Practice & maybe a couple Hrs at a time.
    Good Lighting over the wood is essential & not Flouro.
    Regards,
    issatree.
    Have Lathe, Wood Travel.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge SA
    Posts
    3,339

    Default

    Randal, 10 -12 mm and 170 long is not really fine work, a SHARP chisel is required for doing work like that, a sting steady might also help you. Quite easy to make, some plywood, MDF or chipboard, a few nails or screws for pins and some waxed string. Basically cut out a C, and put on a base so that it can be bolted to the bed of the lathe, the pins are put in 4 positions at roughly a cross position, then wrap the waxed string tightly around the pins either side of the thin turning as per the attached image. Long thin turned items are commonly referred to as trembleurs, they can be made up to about a metre long and down to 1.5 -2 mm diameter, it's a real test of skills. Check out Google for more details.
    Kryn
    string steady.jpg
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Somerset, UK
    Posts
    445

    Default

    Like issatree I use fingers for the thin necks on lace bobbins (hundreds of 'em), turned fast using small, long-point skews.
    Occasionally a bit of wood will get a bit hot but it is only pain and I soon found which timbers are the worst (cherry and any other gummy/resinous wood IME)

    Mark
    What you say & what people hear are not always the same thing.
    http://www.remark.me.uk/

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    A.C.T
    Age
    89
    Posts
    2,769

    Default

    DSCF0018 (1).JPGDSCF0016 (1).JPGDSCF0022 (1).JPG

    I found when I bought my VL150 that with the versatility of it I would instal my old VL100 across from it retaining the Variable Speed etc.

    I have had these sticks of various timbers for Donkeys years, time to use them. Bought a Vicmarc Two Jaw Chuck from Timberbits to solve my problem and I think yours.

    This is an ideal way to hold and turn Hair Pins, Lace Bobbins, etc I then made dust extraction fixed to the tool rest under. These pics while setting up.

    Many years ago I made this shorter tool rest and I find great support and ideally angled at 45 degrees used to run dust extraction through the bed bars of the lathe.

    Trust this may help.

    Peter.
    Nil Desperandum

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Goldcoast
    Posts
    191

    Default

    Fellas
    Thanks for all of the info and ideas. I'm going to look into all and digest. I'll get back to you

    regards Randal

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Nerang Queensland
    Age
    66
    Posts
    10,766

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Goggomobile View Post
    ... mostly 10-12 mm and lengths vary from 120 to 170 mm ... fairly skinny stuff....
    Actually not that skinny, now if you wanted 1-2mm, that's skinny. Sorry about the photo, but the larger segment of the legs on this spider are that size.
    spider.jpg

    I use the fingers behind technique and happy to give you a lesson if you like. You do need to use a fine grained timber and very sharp tools
    Neil
    ____________________________________________
    Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Goldcoast
    Posts
    191

    Default

    Neil
    1-2mm is really skinny ... good looking spider. I'll give you a call .. I'll bring the coffee

    cheers Randal

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