out of round?

desperado · Post by **desperado** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:38 pm

Just got done turning a lid(Cherry) for a jar that belongs to my wife.
After sanding, it appears it is slightly out of round..
Is it me or the Shopsmith?

Thanx...Danny

davebodner · Post by **davebodner** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 5:52 pm

Perhaps the wood shrunk as it dried after you turned the lid. Is the cross-grain diameter shorter than the long grain diameter?

mgdesigns · Post by **mgdesigns** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 8:08 pm

If the wood was not dry enough, it will shrink differently in opposite directions. I've made quite a few bowls that were beautifully round, and after a few days to several months they turn into ovals. Only kiln dried wood has remained stable.

desperado · Post by **desperado** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 10:19 pm

[quote="mgdesigns"]If the wood was not dry enough, it will shrink differently in opposite directions. I've made quite a few bowls that were beautifully round, and after a few days to several months they turn into ovals. Only kiln dried wood has remained stable.[/QUo

Thanx for the replies Mgdesigns and davebodner
The cherry i used is over 5 years old...
It just seems that when I'm turning there is a vibration and when I sand, there are about 2 places on the diameter that I can't correct while I'm sanding...
It's an old Mark V and i wonder if I should look at replacing bearings...

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:34 pm

Replacing the bearings may be required. If it feels sloppy side to side or you measure excessive run out, then bearing replacement is indicated.

Sanding wood on the lathe can lead to a slight out of round condition. Long grain is softer than end grain and will wear faster. This is usually caused by excessive pressure applied when sanding.

To fix this condition (assuming it's not a bearing issue, and wood stability is not an issue)

Tool to use:
A sharp skew or Gouge

Cut to use:
Shearing type of cut above the center line (ride the bevel) using very light cuts (Listen to the wood as it cuts, you will hear the difference between an OOR piece and a round piece)

Once it is back to round sand very lightly if needed. A properly used skew or gouge should require very little sanding.

Just my thoughts on the subject, it's happened to me. Hopefully you can get a save if you have enough material remaining, otherwise, practice using the old one. When you're ready, make a new lid.