Shopsmith Forums

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.