Thread: Little red dot

Do those of you that have such a device find it easier to just line the laser up with the tip or set it so that it is the required thickness away. I tend to think the latter but until I try it I won't know which is easier.

Further detail on how I use mine. When roughing I tend to set it with a wide gap between the laser and the tool tip. At this point the its basically a ready reckoner on where the tip is while at the same time the gap does prevent me from making a funnel or two. Only on rare occaisions do I set it directly on the tip of the tool, usuallly when I am in a hurry and just eyeball the wall thickness as I go along, sort of near enough is good enough.

The next stage is final wall thickness, here I take the time to set it exactly to the required thickness. There is one thing you will need to consider is where the laser dot is in relation to the tip. IE 9.00 oclock, 12.00 oclock, 3 oclock etc. When I am going down the side it will be around 9.00 olock and sweeping across the bottom it will be around 12.00 oclock. This means that several settings will needed to complete the wall thickness.

So you need to be aware of where the laser is in relation to your tip as your finishing and not go too far. If your turning a large single curve or open bowl you can get by with one setting, probably somewhere 10.30 or so around. But by orientating the tool as you go down the curve to maintain the red dot and tool tip relationship you can use the single setting.

For me I dont do alot of such bowls, so its several setting for me and on some of the forms it would virtually impossible to use anything less than three. The side, under the lip or rim and across the bottom.

So in answer to your question I tend to do both and the variance is dependant on what stage I am up to with the bowl/hollow vessel.

I looked at the WOW posting on compromise and thought it was a bit of a waste of time. Waffle for the sake of waffle I thought.

Originally Posted by gus3049

Ta muchly. Fun is what its all about. I was reading a bit on the WOW site in the USA today and it was getting all very serious about the Artist making no compromises with his art and its better to starve in your garret than just do stuff to pay the mortgage. Might be interesting to start a thread (if it hasn't been done to death here) and see what the take on the subject is down here

Prepare for the ride old son!!

I can vouch for Gordons sense of humour, a bit/lot like mine and the first time you take him sseriously will be a mistake believe me

Nice photo up there mate. What is it, I ain't not seen owt like that before??

As a matter of interest if you used a Cortinal (as they call then in Bristol) you wouldn't be able to use go-cart bits would you? They be too small?

Some of those Fiats the the Italians drive have a funny likkle horse looking as if it's trying to jump off the front. Have you seen them, quite often red and in the garage getting repaired

My sister used to have a Laser when they lived in Bulangarook, that was red, but a bit bigger than your dot Gordon.

Another little trick I saw once is to put a sheet of white melamine or ply on the bed so that you can see when the dot comes off the hollow form/

Originally Posted by hughie

Further detail on how I use mine. When roughing I tend to set it with a wide gap between the laser and the tool tip. At this point the its basically a ready reckoner on where the tip is while at the same time the gap does prevent me from making a funnel or two. Only on rare occaisions do I set it directly on the tip of the tool, usuallly when I am in a hurry and just eyeball the wall thickness as I go along, sort of near enough is good enough.

The next stage is final wall thickness, here I take the time to set it exactly to the required thickness. There is one thing you will need to consider is where the laser dot is in relation to the tip. IE 9.00 oclock, 12.00 oclock, 3 oclock etc. When I am going down the side it will be around 9.00 olock and sweeping across the bottom it will be around 12.00 oclock. This means that several settings will needed to complete the wall thickness.

So you need to be aware of where the laser is in relation to your tip as your finishing and not go too far. If your turning a large single curve or open bowl you can get by with one setting, probably somewhere 10.30 or so around. But by orientating the tool as you go down the curve to maintain the red dot and tool tip relationship you can use the single setting.

For me I dont do alot of such bowls, so its several setting for me and on some of the forms it would virtually impossible to use anything less than three. The side, under the lip or rim and across the bottom.

So in answer to your question I tend to do both and the variance is dependant on what stage I am up to with the bowl/hollow vessel.

I looked at the WOW posting on compromise and thought it was a bit of a waste of time. Waffle for the sake of waffle I thought.

Thanks Hughie,

That is really useful - in all seriousness

The WOW discussion wasn't too surprising I guess. I think the site has its benefits but there are some there who take their turning very seriously indeed. I have nothing against that but its taking themselves very seriously that tends to get my goat (I remember one such referring to some turners as 'the brown and round brigade' as a definite put down, not nice). I consider myself an artist in that I have studied at art school, do drawing, painting, design etc etc, but its just another talent among many out there and I cannot, for the life of me, see why an 'artist' should be allowed to behave any differently than everyone else in the name of their 'art'.

When it comes to it, I would rather pay the mortgage and eat than starve to death in my garret. However, I did say I might start a thread on that but, as suggested, I might have to duck.

Originally Posted by

Another little trick I saw once is to put a sheet of white melamine or ply on the bed so that you can see when the dot comes off the hollow form/

Ah, now that is a good idea, anything to make things quicker and easier. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Jonzjob

I can vouch for Gordons sense of humour, a bit/lot like mine and the first time you take him sseriously will be a mistake believe me

Nice photo up there mate. What is it, I ain't not seen owt like that before??

Now now John, I'll have you know I am a very serious personage, I expect a bit respect as is due to my age, infirmity and the size of the shotgun I am aiming at you.

Which photo are we talking about?? If its the hollower, its not exactly an original idea, just built a bit stronger than most.

[ I cannot, for the life of me, see why an 'artist' should be allowed to behave any differently than everyone else in the name of their 'art'.

Totally agree as they say, if want to have ago at me 'walk a mile in my shoes' first.


As to red dots etc, if you were close enough I would say drop by.

Originally Posted by gus3049

Now now John, I'll have you know I am a very serious personage, I expect a bit respect as is due to my age, infirmity and the size of the shotgun I am aiming at you.

Which photo are we talking about?? If its the hollower, its not exactly an original idea, just built a bit stronger than most.

Well, I am truely glad to know that you haven't lost yer sense of humour Gordon! You serious? Next will be a Jewish Pope? As for age thingies? Are you still sending letters carved in stone?

It was the hollower that I were talking of. What's wrong with a bowl gouge? I would like to know as have never used one, the hollower that is..

Originally Posted by hughie

Totally agree as they say, if want to have ago at me 'walk a mile in my shoes' first.


As to red dots etc, if you were close enough I would say drop by.

Hughie, there is a basic problem with your method of having a go is that if anyone walks a mile in your shoes and still want a go at you they are a mile away AND they have your shoes

Originally Posted by Jonzjob

Well, I am truely glad to know that you haven't lost yer sense of humour Gordon! You serious? Next will be a Jewish Pope? As for age thingies? Are you still sending letters carved in stone?

It was the hollower that I were talking of. What's wrong with a bowl gouge? I would like to know as have never used one, the hollower that is..

A bowl gouge won't reach the parts you can't see, like under the lip of a hollow form. Also, if you are trying to reach the bottom(!) through a tiny hole, the fact that the hollower is held rigid and always presents the tip at the right angle, means you are less likely - in spite of the fact that I still manage - to catch the lip and crack it.

Basically, it saves a lot of effort which seems a pretty big plus to me

Originally Posted by Jonzjob

Hughie, there is a basic problem with your method of having a go is that if anyone walks a mile in your shoes and still want a go at you they are a mile away AND they have your shoes

And he says that his sense of humour and mine are the same

OK, I agree Gordon. Yours is just not as subtle and refined as mine , but they still have your shoes an that ain't funny!!

I have been called an artist several times since moving over and it comes as a shock that the French, with their great sense of artistry, aren't refering to the glass that is normally in my hand. Normally, in the U.K. it was directed at that particular item

This little cherry from is made from an offcut from goblet making as it had a knot in the wrong place - now it doesn't!!

Proves the tool is good though, makes hollowing a doddle and saves a huge amount of time. Because I can see where the tip is all the time, the finish on the inside is easy too. This is too small to get much in to sand so its left straight from the tool.
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