Reply by richgreer

I agree with rcwoodturning that the Reeves system (which my lathe has) cannot get the speed below 500 rpm. Very few lathes without electronic speed control can get below 500 rpm. Electronic speed control is great but it is only available in lathes costing $1500+.

With my lathe I have turned a bowl that was 15” in diameter. That is the biggest I have ever attempted. I went to great pain to make my blank as round and as in balance as possible before I turned the lathe on. I rounded it with my bandsaw and spent quite a bit of time trying to find the true center of gravity. In theory, I could go even bigger than 15” but I doubt that I will try it.

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.