Vicmarc lathe owners - chuck and other questions
Troops,
I've finally bitten the bullet and bought two Vicmarc chucks - the 120 and the 150 - for my lathe. I won't have the 120 for a few days, but am keen to start on some simple projects with te 150. I do not turn too well, so bear with me.
The size of the 150 seems a little daunting. I assume I just knock out the drive and wind it on. Will getting it off be a problem? None of this stuff is covered in the owner's manual.
Another issue for me is whether I should turn the inside of the lidded boxes inboard as I am left handed and reaching into the inside will not be easy. Or do I just reverse it and turn on the far side???? I ordered the outboard turning attachment just in case the answer is no.
And if I go outboard, can I just screw the chuck on and it won't come off? No idea how or whether removing the "handle" will affect the balance.
I haven't changed the belts over on the VL300 either yet - do I need to do so? The pepper shakers, small lidded boxes etc that I intend to do won't be overly large. At what point should I change over? 5 inch bowls? 10 inch bowls?
Also, I only have a 1/2 inch bowl gouge and a 3/4 inch scrap, both on the way. Is that enough to get started with? I already have some skews and spindle gouges.
So, in a word, HELP!
I don't want to have bits and pieces flying off everywhere.
regards Jeff