Search found 106 matches

by scollins
Sun Mar 24, 2013 6:53 am
Forum: General Woodworking
Topic: pine cone and corn cob
Replies: 15
Views: 5758

A jack pine or the type that needs fire to open will be the easiest to turn. Ones that open without fire will need to be encased in casting resin to turn. Heat from the cutting tool can make one that is not in resin start to open. CA glue can help keep it closed. For the corn cob, buy some corn on t...
by scollins
Tue Dec 18, 2012 6:47 am
Forum: General Woodworking
Topic: barber pole pen?
Replies: 41
Views: 13983

Pretty simple, dyed wood, cut on a 45 or whatever angle you like, laminated and turned. If you want to add interest to it, then take a V gouge or a Dremel with a narrow tip and lightly groove the glue line after turning.
by scollins
Mon Dec 17, 2012 6:28 am
Forum: General Woodworking
Topic: What kind of lathe center is this?
Replies: 5
Views: 1078

Depending on how long the point is, the 60 degree can self-center in a pre-drilled hole and allow access to the end of the work piece where the cup will be in the way. Do not put too much pressure on the piece as mentioned above, it might split.
by scollins
Fri Dec 14, 2012 6:26 am
Forum: General Woodworking
Topic: Turning black palm
Replies: 6
Views: 1621

Black palm is not a good newbie wood. Sharp tools are a must. Reading the grain is another must or you will catch the black fibers and blow it up. Someone suggested using CA glue (needs to be thin CA) to stablize the blank before turning. I used some spalted oak for an ornament finial. Not thinking,...
by scollins
Thu Dec 13, 2012 6:35 am
Forum: General Woodworking
Topic: Heating woodshop
Replies: 25
Views: 9885

Northern Tool has a 3 blade radient patio heater designed to mount on an umbellra that works well and could be hung from the ceiling using a plumbing flange and length of pipe. It should easily cover a 10x10' spot in the shop especially if you use some type of curtain to enclosed the work space. I h...
by scollins
Sat Nov 24, 2012 6:40 am
Forum: General Woodworking
Topic: Morse Taper
Replies: 8
Views: 3796

There are actually several lathes that at some point in their manufacture had a solid shaft that required a slip on adaptor. Some of the early Vega lathes did.
by scollins
Sat Nov 24, 2012 6:35 am
Forum: General Woodworking
Topic: Set up for lathe turning
Replies: 14
Views: 5602

Check out woodturningonline.com for both tutorials on turning and turning projects. Of course Nick Englers Shopsmith videos are excellent. I don't know how long I had my SS before I checked out the Eccentric turning video and discovered another neat SS feature that I didn't know that I had. Search f...
by scollins
Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:44 am
Forum: General Woodworking
Topic: Lathe chisel rack
Replies: 32
Views: 15170

Look at the stand for the Delta Midi lathe. I really like that set up and have wondered about adapting it to hang from the bottom ways or a cart that could be rolled into poistion when turning. I have the wall rack set up which is good for storage, but I have no desire to reach over the lathe for to...
by scollins
Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:28 am
Forum: General Woodworking
Topic: My First Pen and Letter Opener Set
Replies: 21
Views: 5105

A suggestion: When you think you have achieved your final shape run your fingernail across the bushing onto the wood. If it catches, work it down until it doesn't. I use an Easy Wood tool with a square cutter for most of my pen turning, if not I use the point of a skew with a very light touch to avo...
by scollins
Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:22 am
Forum: General Woodworking
Topic: My First Pen and Letter Opener Set
Replies: 21
Views: 5105

Terry,

With all of the switching around, how long does it take you to do a pen?