Shopsmith Forums

I have a stupid question.

Would would you use the offset center for the lathe for making? I watched a video online about it, but I couldn't see what I would use it for. So now I am curious about it.

Thanks,

nathan

Tapered turnings , like a tapered leg for a table.

Also, if you plan some offsets into the driven-end of the piece as well, you can turn Ovals. That tip along with many others is in the Shopsmith techniques here:

http://www.woodworkinglathe.com/page10.htm

Thanks Mike and Chris.

The SS came with the piece to do offcenter work, and the guy I bought it from said that you could do gunstocks, but I don't know how you would do that.

So I was curious. I am definitely not up to that, but was just curious about it. I watched a video on youtube, but it almost made me more confused than before I knew anything.

Nathan

Any man that can hand turn gun stocks on a lathe is a much better turner than I will ever be.

Use a live Steb center (sometimes called spur). Another use for offset turning is for cabriole legs.

If intentionally turning off center AKA Eccentric turning, I also recommend a speed reducer.

stickthrower wrote:I have a stupid question.

Would would you use the offset center for the lathe for making? I watched a video online about it, but I couldn't see what I would use it for. So now I am curious about it.

Thanks,

nathan

I made an ice-cream scoop handle and a wooden letter opener. The blade of the letter opener is made by offset turning. You end up with a very thin blade with two sharp edges.

Steb centers make offset turning very easy and safe and Robert Sorby (who offers them for the Shopsmith) offers several videos and instructions on how to use them.