Cheating big time on the lathe

gr8mesquite · Post by **gr8mesquite** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:00 am

Anybody ever use one of these?

http://toolfanatic.com/p/Manual-Lawn-Ae ... 858QbHCe00

Does it require a huge motor with an unusual amount of torque, or will a 3/4hp lathe motor turn it?

Also, can you remove the screw point after a while to get a flat bottom?

Thanks

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:41 am

gr8mesquite wrote:Anybody ever use one of these?

http://toolfanatic.com/p/Manual-Lawn-Aerators/B003GUH4SC/detail/Steelex-D3654-4-58-Inch-Heavy-Duty-Forstner-Bit-with-Screw-Tip.php#.U858QbHCe00

Does it require a huge motor with an unusual amount of torque, or will a 3/4hp lathe motor turn it?

Also, can you remove the screw point after a while to get a flat bottom?

Thanks

I do not think power/ is the issue, speed is more likely a deterrent.

What is 'magic' about 4 5/8"?

Looks like the point may be removable.

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:52 am

JPG40504 wrote:I do not think power/ is the issue, speed is more likely a deterrent.

What is 'magic' about 4 5/8"?

Looks like the point may be removable.

I agree, keep the speed as slow as it will go.

The SS Motor should handle it. It will heat up so take your time.

Many people use forstner bits in their lathes for hogging out bowls and such.
I have also seen people use a large forstner bit (same diameter of a face plate) to hog out much of a bowl blank before even putting on a lathe and then attach a faceplate for turning the outside of the bowl and the tenon. Very effective. on the demonstration I have seen.

gr8mesquite · Post by **gr8mesquite** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:26 pm

JPG40504 wrote:I do not think power/ is the issue, speed is more likely a deterrent.

What is 'magic' about 4 5/8"?

Looks like the point may be removable.

Nothing "magic" about 4 5/8"--it just happens to be the largest Forstner I've come across on the web.

I I realize that the screw is adjustable/perhaps removable. The mfg.'s description of the item points out that the screw helps in the cutting by pulling the bit into the wood. I'm wondering whether drilling would be as easy/accurate without the screw, in an effort to eliminate the screw hole. I would of course start with the screw, and possibly remove it at a certain depth.

I'm looking at 4 5/8" on a ruler, and I'm boggled by the amount of wood that could be hogged out on the inside of a turned bowl. It could make turning the inside really fast and accurate, although I refer to it as "cheating."

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:04 pm

Seems like a very teeney tiny pointed screw for such a large bit!:rolleyes:

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:15 pm

gr8mesquite wrote:I'm wondering whether drilling would be as easy/accurate without the screw, in an effort to eliminate the screw hole. I would of course start with the screw, and possibly remove it at a certain depth.

I wood think if ya drill the hole deep enough, then ya could use the sides of the hole as a guide, with the screw removed.

"Wild Bad Bob" · Post by **"Wild Bad Bob"** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:38 am

I have never used a bit that large in dia, but have some in the 1/2" to 1 1/2" wood boring bits with a similar screw threaded point, they tend to want to take control of the "boring" for lack of a better word at the moment, and pull itself into the wood as long as it is turning do to the threads acting as a screw, I found them very hard to control the depth of the boring.

Jack Wilson · Post by **Jack Wilson** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 5:05 pm

I have a 2-1/2" version of that and the screw is removable.

rcplaneguy · Post by **rcplaneguy** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:45 pm

The link says it is for lawn aeration?

gr8mesquite · Post by **gr8mesquite** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:14 pm

rcplaneguy wrote:The link says it is for lawn aeration?

Obviously in the wrong category. Wouldn't be much lawn left with 4 5/8" holes all over the front yard.