Project Information
I couldn't resist. After getting the feel for it with the maple counterpart I just HAD to make one out of Purple Heart (PH).
I have had some trouble turning PH in previous project (the rings box) and did some research on it and I believe it was due to the turning tool angle of attack. after playing around with it and approaching the wood at a different angle, I was getting much better results, but there is still room for improvement on my part and I will have to make a better tool rest that will sit even closer and at a more convenient height to allow me to bring the tool to the wood properly.
This was made on a metal lathe which was a concern of mine (speeds and all) but now with this one finished, I'm pretty content with the results and am confident the lathe will not be an issue. I chucked the pen mandrel in a 3jaw chuck, and for a tool rest I used a 1/2" round bar seated in a boring-bar (metal) tool holder.
While this setup 'works' it presents a few issues:
1. large chuck = a lot of turning metal which is not meant to be turned this fast, and is a safety hazard to hands.
2. tool rest not at proper height and not close enough to work due to it's being seated in a metal tool holder that by itself cannot get too close to the work.
I will be making a collet chuck for the lathe to take care of #1, and I'll make a tool rest that will sit directly on the bed or on the cross slide and will be able to position it exactly where I want.
For now I'm very pleased with the capabilities and results.
Thanks for watching,
Peace!
I have had some trouble turning PH in previous project (the rings box) and did some research on it and I believe it was due to the turning tool angle of attack. after playing around with it and approaching the wood at a different angle, I was getting much better results, but there is still room for improvement on my part and I will have to make a better tool rest that will sit even closer and at a more convenient height to allow me to bring the tool to the wood properly.
This was made on a metal lathe which was a concern of mine (speeds and all) but now with this one finished, I'm pretty content with the results and am confident the lathe will not be an issue. I chucked the pen mandrel in a 3jaw chuck, and for a tool rest I used a 1/2" round bar seated in a boring-bar (metal) tool holder.
While this setup 'works' it presents a few issues:
1. large chuck = a lot of turning metal which is not meant to be turned this fast, and is a safety hazard to hands.
2. tool rest not at proper height and not close enough to work due to it's being seated in a metal tool holder that by itself cannot get too close to the work.
I will be making a collet chuck for the lathe to take care of #1, and I'll make a tool rest that will sit directly on the bed or on the cross slide and will be able to position it exactly where I want.
For now I'm very pleased with the capabilities and results.
Thanks for watching,
Peace!