Next weekend I will be going to my dad’s, and taking a couple blocks (purpleheart and honey mesquite) to turn on his lathe. I don’t believe he’s done much turning, mostly table legs from what I know. Anyway, these are the pieces to be offered at the sacrificial altar.
They started out as 6”x6”x2”, and so far I have found center, used a protractor to make a maximum circle, and cut them on the bandsaw, about 1/8” outside of the line.
One question though, to you experienced turners, the mesquite was bought at woodcraft covered in wax, I understand that it is green, but how do you remove the wax to glue/tape your faceplate block? I have already taken a scraper, steel wool, and sandpaper to it, and when I scratch my nail across it, I can see it still has some wax on it. Or is a little wax safe?
-- It's not that a craftsman never makes mistakes, he just makes it look like it.
4 comments so far
Jiri Parkman
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552 posts in 263 days
posted 173 days ago
Interesting beginig. I´m looking forvard to following parts.
-- Jiri
rikkor
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posted 173 days ago
I generally start with a faceplate on the top side of the bowl. That puts screws into wood that will be turned away. Turn a tenon on the bottom that can be chucked up, and the wax is not a problem.
-- Maplewood, MN
jeffthewoodwacker
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posted 173 days ago
I would agree with Rikkor—-a little wax is not a problem. Using a faceplate or screw chuck in the top of the bowl and turning a tenon on the bottom is the way to go if you are just starting out. Don’t use drywall screws to attach the faceplate—they are to brittle and will break.
-- Genius is immediate, but talent takes time.
Copperjock
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88 posts in 249 days
posted 173 days ago
I appreciate your input, Jeff and Nikkor, I am pretty certain he does not have a chuck, unless it is something that automatically comes with every lathe. With that in mind, are these better left for another day when I have purchased one? Also, how thick and diameter of a tenon would you recommend on a 6” diameter piece?
-- It's not that a craftsman never makes mistakes, he just makes it look like it.