Shopsmith Forums

Is the Nova G3 intended to be used for spindle turning or is it designed exclusively for bowl turning?

If being used for chuck to center turning (spindle turning), how is the live center aligned to the chuck?

COMMENT: I finally received my Nova G3 yesterday after 10 days in shipping. I am impressed with it as a piece of hardware even though I have not yet used it. I have never been a turner and I cannot tell you exactly why I bought this. The big sale wasn't even that big a deal. I have since found G3s available in several places for what I paid or less.

Dusty, I bought the same chuck and I couldn't find as good a price which included both the Shopsmith insert and the second set of jaws.

As for turning between centers, the Nova can be used with a dead or live center in the tail stock for spindle turning if the spindle diameter is within the G3's operating specs; alternatively the screw center could be installed for larger diameter spindles (I think Nova also sells an optional drive spur that fits in and is gripped by the chuck, much like the screw). Although the final turning of bowls is done without using the tail stock for support, it is my understanding that for certain roughing operations, even a bowl blank is frequently mounted between centers. More experienced turners can advise.

With respect to alignment, if you aligned the tail stock the way that Shopsmith recommends for using the spur drive (by putting the drill chuck on the spindle and extending it and adjusting the tail stock until the dead center is centered on the drill chuck) there shouldn't be a need to realign the tail stock simply because you use the Nova versus the spur drive center that comes with the Shopsmith. This assumes, of course, that the Nova is manufactured properly and the Shopsmith insert is installed correctly. If that is the case, the tolerances should insure that the chuck is centered on the spindle and you have already made sure that the tail stock is centered on the spindle.

Just to add to what algale said, if you mount a spindle in the chuck, it will quickly become evident that you can't turn that portion of the spindle that is inside the chuck as you could do if you used the spur drive center. If you were going to keep it square at the headstock end, it doesn't make a difference whether you use the chuck or a drive center. Also, with the chuck you know that the square or round is exactly centered on that end of the spindle, something that may not be the case unless you are extremely careful while you draw diagonal lines from the corners, saw a couple of slots, and drive the spur center home.

I just use the points on the spur center and the dead/live center in the tail stock to align the tailstock with the spindle. Once that's done, the spindle and therefore the chuck is concentric with the tailstock center.

There is a very good program produce by RSU Public TV, the Woodturning Workshop, it used to pass on Detroit Public tv, but not anymore.
Go to the website of the American woodturners association for more details.
Here is the site :
http://www.woodturner.org/resources/pbs.htm
copy an paste it in your browser ...
that guy is very good and the site seem to be full of info and links.

By the way, good news, my G3 came to Andy in NH and he sent it to me today.
Thanks Andy, you are a very good neighbour.

The G3 may well put me onto a new use for my Mark V. I've never been a turner but I may become a novice soon. Buying the G3 has, for some reason, sparked an interest that I have never had. I spent the better part of today making shavings. Actually, I was trying to reacquaint myself with "Riding the Bevel". This is a technique that was stressed at one of Rick's TA Sessions on turning. I never really got the hang then but I am making progress now.

Tim has a great show, does a lot of items that most all of us could put to good use. He uses a Stubby 1000 from Australia and I think it is the only 1000 in Oklahoma I do know there are two of the smaller units around here but His is the only 1000. Wild machine for turning. He does very small to very large on it. I have learned a lot from watching his show. He has also challenged me to try new idea.

I also used to follow his show until PBS Detroit stopped showing it. I hope it comes back, I would really like that. I learned a lot by watching those shows and he is also very funny. I cant wait to try my chuck.

Dusty once you get into turning you will be hooked, then you will be doing pens and small bowls and vases. Just let us see what you are learning on and then we can trade care packages of wood to share for pen and small vases. I have several of the group I trade wood with from time to time. Have fun.

You might be able to stand those eggs on their small end!