Spent some time on the sugar maple mexican pot today. I reverse chucked the turning onto a vacuum chuck and turned the tenon off of the bottom.
The piece was then sanded all the way through 320 grit and then removed from the vaccum chuck. I build my own vacuum chucks using PVC pipe and attaching closed cell foam to the end of the pipe. I turn a plug from Trex wood deck material, drill it and then use a threader to create threads to fit my lathe. The plug is glued into the headstock end of the PVC pipe. I have a variety of sizes and lengths of these homemade chucks and if needed can custom make a vacuum chuck.
The piece is now ready to be closely inspected for any minor flaws and hand sanded as needed.
I will use a mixture of 1/3 high gloss poly – 1/3 high gloss tung oil – 1/3 mineral spirits as my finish for this piece. Will go with at least 6 coats, let it dry for a couple of days and then buff it out. Will post photos of the finishing process. I will now start on the next piece to be turned from the big stuff sugar maple turning project.
-- Those that say it can't be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.
5 comments so far
Karson
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34370 posts in 2569 days
#1 posted 1029 days ago
Jeff:
It looks great.
Have you used Japan Drier to speed up the drying process?
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
jeffthewoodwacker
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603 posts in 1972 days
#2 posted 1029 days ago
Karson, I have used Japan Drier to speed up the drying process, but find with the poly/tung oil/mineral spirits mixture that I don’t need it. Normally I can get two coats a day and turn other projects as it dries.
-- Those that say it can't be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.
sedcokid
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2506 posts in 1767 days
#3 posted 1029 days ago
Jeff,
This is going to be a beautiful bowl/hollow form when finished. I really like your vacuum chuck as well, what vacuum pump do you have and where did you get it? I am looking forward to seeing the finished product. Great Job!!
-- Chuck Emery, Michigan,
jeffthewoodwacker
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603 posts in 1972 days
#4 posted 1028 days ago
Sedcokid – I purchased a 3/4 hp Gast vacuum pump on Craigslist for $75.00 – everything else in the system is made from parts that I purchased at Home Depot, or had in the shop.
-- Those that say it can't be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.
sedcokid
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2506 posts in 1767 days
#5 posted 1028 days ago
Thanks for getting back with me.
Chuck
-- Chuck Emery, Michigan,
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