Offset Center for lathe

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 3:57 pm

I have a stupid question.

Would would you use the offset center for the lathe for making? I watched a video online about it, but I couldn't see what I would use it for. So now I am curious about it.

Thanks,

nathan

mikelst · Post by **mikelst** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:28 pm

Tapered turnings , like a tapered leg for a table.

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:37 pm

Also, if you plan some offsets into the driven-end of the piece as well, you can turn Ovals. That tip along with many others is in the Shopsmith techniques here:

http://www.woodworkinglathe.com/page10.htm

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 10:18 pm

Thanks Mike and Chris.

The SS came with the piece to do offcenter work, and the guy I bought it from said that you could do gunstocks, but I don't know how you would do that.

So I was curious. I am definitely not up to that, but was just curious about it. I watched a video on youtube, but it almost made me more confused than before I knew anything.

Nathan

anmius · Post by **anmius** » Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:01 am

Any man that can hand turn gun stocks on a lathe is a much better turner than I will ever be.

brad_nalor · Post by **brad_nalor** » Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:26 am

Use a live Steb center (sometimes called spur). Another use for offset turning is for cabriole legs.

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Thu Aug 23, 2012 11:36 am

If intentionally turning off center AKA Eccentric turning, I also recommend a speed reducer.

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:05 pm

stickthrower wrote:I have a stupid question.

Would would you use the offset center for the lathe for making? I watched a video online about it, but I couldn't see what I would use it for. So now I am curious about it.

Thanks,

nathan

I made an ice-cream scoop handle and a wooden letter opener. The blade of the letter opener is made by offset turning. You end up with a very thin blade with two sharp edges.

lightnin · Post by **lightnin** » Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:34 pm

I've seen a video somewhere turning offset making hammer handles.
first turned centered on both ends then offset both ends then offset the other direction both ends.
Then sanding to taste.

The video may have been on the woodwright's shop

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Tue Sep 04, 2012 12:32 am

Steb centers make offset turning very easy and safe and Robert Sorby (who offers them for the Shopsmith) offers several videos and instructions on how to use them.

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Offset Center for lathe

Offset Center for lathe

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