Thread: Things you have learnt so far

Originally Posted by KenW

Your orange box is easy to jam chuck, it has a join. You need to make two jam chucks, one for the lid and one for the base. The outside diameter of the chucks should be the same as the base/lid. Hold base/lid in place with tailsock and use plastic electrical tape to join base/lid to jam chuck. Remove tailstock and turn the rest of the outside of base/lid.

Remember to put it on in the direction of rotation to help in not undoing while it spins.

Originally Posted by KenW

Not Gaffer tape, Electrical. Electrical tape stretches around the shape better.

electrical or duct ?

Originally Posted by

Remember to put it on in the direction of rotation to help in not undoing while it spins.

, your taking all the fun out of this.

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

electrical or duct ?

PVC electrical tape is best. It will stretch and form to the shape of your box / jam chuck join.

Other things learned so far:

A light that can be moved around is really handy whilst hollowing. I ended up getting an angle poise style one pretty cheaply from Ikea which is fixed to the wall behind the lathe.

Someone suggested marking wood when mounting in the scroll chuck so it can be remounted the same (ie the same bit held by jaw 1 etc) to help avoid runout. I now routinely mark between jaw 1 and 2. Good tip, thanks

When hollowing, especially working on the flange, it is often best to look at the bottom right, rather than where the tool is, for a clearer view.

Similarly, when turning beads etc, it is often best to look at the shape developing on the top of the piece.

Turn beads slowly - possibly only at the begginer stage but that's me

A small white board is handy. Put it on the bench and draw the planned piece with dimensions etc then put the board on the wall behind the lathe.

Originally Posted by KenW

, your taking all the fun out of this.

PVC electrical tape is best. It will stretch and form to the shape of your box / jam chuck join.

No Ken we don't want a mummified Eliza it just wouldn't look good in the newspaper .Woman wrapped up in her hobby .

As it is I'm getting buried in sawdust.

Another hint... buy more sandpaper before you run out

Hopefully some will come from the sandpaperman today!

I've learnt that although it's ok for the grain of a box to go in any direction, the general concenus is that the grain should run the length of the lathe.

Good information for an apprentice.

Originally Posted by JackJack

I've learnt that although it's ok for the grain of a box to go in any direction, the general concenus is that the grain should run the length of the lathe.

Good information for an apprentice.

I've learned it's more fun to break the rules. Oh, I already knew that