Turning small without a chuck

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 1:01 pm

I am wondering, if you want to turn something small, like bottle stops or something like that, and you don't have a chuck, what are the options? I was thinking of drilling a hole, and threading the wood onto a bolt and putting that into the chuck. Would that work?

I know SS has a deal on the Nova chuck, but I just dropped a chunk of money and need to wait on picking up the chuck.

Thanks

nathan

rpd · Post by **rpd** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 1:55 pm

Read through this thread 3/8" pin chuck ideas for some good ideas.
And here is another YouTube video that may help also
TURNING A BOTTLE STOPPER with a PIN CHUCK

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 2:21 pm

Thanks Ron!

That is actually kind of what i was contemplating in my head. Now I know I can do that and I am going to go for it.

Watched the video and read the post.

We are running down near woodcraft this coming Monday, so I am planning on trying to pick up a few bottle stoppers and going to try to make a few.

Appreciate it!

Nathan

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:19 pm

Shopsmith does make a screw center that is suited for small turnings:
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/l_lathecenters.htm

Certainly a cheaper route than a chuck and simplier than threading a bolt onto your piece and mounting that in a chuck.

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:30 pm

Most bottle stoppers are 3/8 x 16 tpi thread . Use a bolt of the same size with the head cut off held in either the drill chuck or ER32 collett chuck.

Helpful Hint: make a bushing out of cut off hard wood that is the same size as the bottle stopper for sizing and a bit of distance from the chuck. Thread the Bushing onto the mandrel (cut off bolt) and insert the mandrel into the chuck of your choice.

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:51 pm

Woodcraft in addition to the threaded bottle stopper kits, also sells silicone "corks" as well as traditional corks that you attach to your lathe-turned stopper tops using pieces of dowel. The silicone ones use a 1/2" dowel, while the corks fit over a 3/8" dowel. I found that the holes in the traditional corks aren't always drilled in the center, so they can look a bit lop-sided when finished. You can use clear RTV sealant to "glue" the silicone variety to the dowel, while wood glue works for the corks. A pin chuck works well for holding the blanks while turning.