Thread: HELP ! I'm an idiot!

At a guess, one of the chucks is off centre slightly. I'd suggest using one or the other, or alternatively rough down using the screw (even just turn a bit so you can get the jaws something to hold onto, I use a drive dog for this) then use the scroll chuck for everything else. Where you don't want to waste good wood, you can glue a bit of sacrificial piece of pine (or similar) to the ends of the piece, and turn that to a size that fits in the scroll chuck.

The strength of the wood changes as you remove more, allowing the shape to change.

When you turn the outside the circular shape is held by the wood on the inside but when you remove the inside wood, the strength is now all in the thin wall and and the base. There will be different stiffness from base to rim and the walls are different on the sides parallel to the grain and at 90 degrees across the grain.

The result is that the spinning forces expand the rim at points parallel to the grain more than those across the grain so you'll make an elliptical cut on the inside and finish up with an uneven wall thickness.

The only solution I can think of if you want thin walls is to reduce the turning speed.

Thank both for your replies.
I think I figured out what the problem was. I was not giving the chuck jaws a smooth and flat surface to but against. then I was over sanding the piece. Now that I have figured out the problem I just need to practice cutting in a way that reduces sanding.
Thanks again
BJ
BTW. Has any-one tried turning a timber called Goldenwood?

...learn to turn in a way that reduces sanding.... Well, spend the time you have been using sanding and learn to sharpen your tools. If your tools are sharp, the wood properly chucked, and you use good technique, sanding becomes a very minimal task. Really. Good woodturning skills will virtually eliminate all the sanding. Sharp tools, sharp tools, sharp tools!! Good luck!