Thread: Huon pine bowl using friction chuck.

Good to see old work methods geting a go. I have used friction chucks but only on smaller stuff. Sort of got spoiled after getting that nova.
Those large huon blanks look tastey.
Regards
John

Thanks Bodger,

Havent got a chuck, and always happy to read posts regarding how to do things without one.

Bill

Good WIP bodger and a beautiful bowl.

Originally Posted by orraloon

Good to see old work methods geting a go. I have used friction chucks but only on smaller stuff. Sort of got spoiled after getting that nova.
Those large huon blanks look tastey.
Regards
John

Yeah the good old friction chuck works well on the smaller stuff as well. This shot shows a batch I did years ago from off cuts from larger bowls, the biggest one is probably only about 7 inches diameter. Turned all the outsides first then worked my way up the different foot sizes.stacks of bowls.jpg Timbers are myrtle burl, blackheart sassafrass and Huon pine.
Have not really ever been seriously tempted to buy a Nova, vickmark 3 in 1.etc But reckon they must have their upsides.

nice to see! I think people underestimate the holding power of the friction chuck! the best friction chucking I did a while ago the platter was 420 mm diameter, it's all about accurate turning and confidence!

Beautiful work AB

Originally Posted by chuck1

...it's all about accurate turning and confidence!

Not to mention the tool work when actually doing the turning to minimise risks of popping. I wish I had more of these abilities

AB,
Tip top, but I will stick with the Vicmarc and Nova me thinks.
But having used a friction chuck only a few times, yes, it works and works well. Drillit.

Hi bodger,
Very nice bowl, and a good wip too,
Well done
Cheers smiife

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Beautiful work AB



Not to mention the tool work when actually doing the turning to minimise risks of popping. I wish I had more of these abilities

using meranti for backing plate remember to turn the joining parts flat and square, if it's loose pop some water on it but remember water evaporates so turning time is limited!

AB, very nice work & good sound turning techniques to make the friction jamb chuck work efficiently.

The old ways almost force a turner to work safely. Speeds have to be kept in check. Tool skills need to be high and turners must prepare blanks well, plan the order of bowls to turn, work holding, and the method and sequence of cutting each bowl to prevent loosing a bowl.

Your post highlights for me the modern reliance upon technology to solve everything. Most want the quick fix these days, the perfect tool or chuck that will solve all their problems, when the "secret" to success is really in the experience & technique. Time at the lathe with a good experienced mentor. I use several chucks, including collet chucks, but I also use the old ways as quite often they are the most expedient and efficient method.

I believe that the modern high speed and quite powerfull lathes plus superior chucking methods actually enable aggressive and dangerous turning behaviours in a range of turners. They certainly enable higher speeds than are necessary. Those turners would never get away with such techniques and behaviours using old methods.

Four jaw scroll chucks have their place as they have certainly revolutionised turning since they were introduced to wood turners in the early 1980's. Chucks have opened up many possibilities never available using old ways - allowing turners like Richard Raffan to hold bowls on impossibly small detail on a bowl. Again good technique and tool skill is required though.

Thanks everyone for all the positive feedback.

Originally Posted by Mobyturns

Four jaw scroll chucks have their place as they have certainly revolutionised turning since they were introduced to wood turners in the early 1980's. Chucks have opened up many possibilities never available using old ways - allowing turners like Richard Raffan to hold bowls on impossibly small detail on a bowl. Again good technique and tool skill is required though.

Yes Mobyturns I reckon you are right. I have been considering lashing out and getting one myself. Been considering the Vicmark VM 150 as I usually prefer to turn bowls on the larger size. Just been looking at their website and was surprised to see that I can get an adapter so that I can use it on my woodfast that has a 1 inch 10 TPI thread and also get an adapter that will enable me to use it on my bigger lathe that has a 1 1/2 inch 6TPI thread.
What concerns me is that since the chuck is approx 6" in diameter, I wonder what is the largest diameter foot it can hang onto?. For instance if your turning a bowl of say 600-700mm diameter you might want to have a foot on the bowl that's bigger than 150mm.
At least with the friction type chuck you can make it whatever size you want.

Vicmarc have a range of dovetail jaws from 105 vto 225mm dia. Vicmarc - Woodturning Lathes, Chucks, Jaws and Accessories - Jaw range

Originally Posted by Mobyturns

Vicmarc have a range of dovetail jaws from 105 vto 225mm dia. Vicmarc - Woodturning Lathes, Chucks, Jaws and Accessories - Jaw range

I've turned 1200mm shallow and 950mm x 200mm deep on a Vicmarc 120 chuck with the large duo jaws.

I wouldn't do it without using the clamp which locks the chuck onto the spindle of my VL300.

I wouldn't suggest you try these sizes (and weights) unless you have had a few years of experience.

An EVS lathe also helps with the safe working of large sizes like these.

Also I wouldn't try these sizes and weights on a jam chuck.

Not safe in my opinion.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Tim

Hope I am not banging on too much with this post and starting to bore everyone to snorts! but got around to doing the second bowl today out of the next biggest lump of Huon. Made the foot of this one a couple of mm larger than the last one and then skimmed the same amount from the plywood chuck. This one (pictured next to the previous one) measures 350mm x 105mm, it should ideally have been closer to 400mm dia if it was not for a crack that went further in than anticipated.DSCF3596.jpg Here's a shot of the profile...DSCF3597.jpg I quite like this shape, it gives a nice crisp transition from the outside of the bowl to the inside.
Bowl design in my opinion is pretty important, you should be able to make an attractive bowl out of the blandest of timbers if you get the design right. On the other side of the coin, it can be disappointing to see to see a marvelous chunk of wood turned into a badly designed bowl.
Now!, not finished yet... quoting

Tim the Timber Turner

Originally Posted by Mobyturns
Vicmarc have a range of dovetail jaws from 105 vto 225mm dia. Vicmarc - Woodturning Lathes, Chucks, Jaws and Accessories - Jaw range



I've turned 1200mm shallow and 950mm x 200mm deep on a Vicmarc 120 chuck with the large duo jaws.

I wouldn't do it without using the clamp which locks the chuck onto the spindle of my VL300.

I wouldn't suggest you try these sizes (and weights) unless you have had a few years of experience.

An EVS lathe also helps with the safe working of large sizes like these.

Also I wouldn't try these sizes and weights on a jam chuck.

Not safe in my opinion.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Tim

Sounds like these Vicmarcs are up for the job then (225mm is a fairly decent foot size).
Tim, what is an EVS lathe?.
Also Tim, (not picking on you here) but it is surprising what the jam/friction chucks will hold onto. I once bought a Myrtle burl square block. It weighed 90 kilos. I particularly remember because the guys I bought it from were selling their turning blocks by the kilo. (it was green). By the time it was chainsawed into a rough round it might have weighed maybe 65-70 kilos. I still have the bowl, it measures 540mm x240mm. Turned it green cause a burl that size in Myrtle is bound to crack to the blazers if you try to dry it. This one developed a crack after turning which required a few different approaches to finally repair,....Epoxy glue with colour,at least 3 times, huon pine dovetails and finally shop made 3mm dia stainless steel staples. Here it is sitting on a milk crate. DSCF3602.jpg