Shopsmith Forums

In all the years I have owned a Shopsmith I have never tried the lathe mode. Well I am getting ready to give it a try but have a couple of questions. I am looking at getting either a Barracuda CSC3000 or a Super Nova 2 chuck. Does anyone have any opinions? Also since I have a PowerPro upgrade, can I trust running the Super Nova in reverse, since it has a set screw that holds the threaded insert? Maybe a better question, is there any benefit in running a lathe in the reverse direction? I also have a very used Lathe Duplicator that I plan to buy some Easy Wood carbide cutters for and give it a try just free handing some spindle cuts. If I like the way that works I may make a further investment in the Easy Wood chisels. Comments will be appreciated. Thanks.

The more I turn I find I need more experience.

The biggest benefit I've found for reverse turning is during sanding. I haven't seen any big benefit as related to wood grain. Maybe I would if using wet wood. The big benefit of reverse sanding is related to the throwing direction of sanding dust. Sanding from the front lets most of the dust to go down toward the rear of machine. A lot of the dust benefit depends on the position of the sand paper.

Now trying to turn identical chess pieces, I'm finding I need a lathe duplicator. Since the price is so high, gonna try making one from Woodsmith plans. I have a jig and set of "Lathe dancers" that work wonderfully with longer pieces like chair stretchers, but the dancers get too crowded to work well with the shorter chess pieces. Their hips are too wide
If you are interested in dancers go here - http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewtopic.php?t=5819

I'm certainly not the most knowledgeable turner here but some years back when I was looking for a chuck I had looked at the Barracuda and had even started an order for one. I had gotten an "shopsmith" adapter to 1-8tpi from PSI. The worst ever. The setscrew was the wrong fit, made in china, setscrew not tapered and worst yet the thing would come loose just having it running......... Contacted PSI and they were absolutely no help were not interested in my issues. I have since gotten a few other things from PSI but in the end I ended up disappointed in them. I no longer order anything from them lathe related.

I then turned to some experts in the field and they farther steered me away from Barracuda items. It seems you might get a good one or you might not, turkey shoot style. At the time no one made what I would call a quality adapter either.

I ended up with a Nova G3, they make an adapter just for shopsmith with the angled setscrew and stand behind their product. I've been well pleased with their products. Not long ago I needed a second chuck so I got one from amazon but this time the super nova. That is now my favorite chuck.

There are a lot of quality chucks out there but make sure you get one with the shopsmith adapter with the angled setscrew.

I have a powerpro and the reverse in great. You use it when sanding or finishing. You can get a nicer finish if you change directions during the sanding process, this has to do with the wood fibers so some woods respond more so then others to the process. Given the choice having both a chuck and lathe that can run in reverse is certainly a big plus in my book.

Easy wood tools are very nice. I have a pretty good collection of them. I'd skip the bottom line(starter version with black metal)and go for the nicer tools. If you want to give them a try I think a good starting point is a mid-size rougher and the R2 cutters. They do go on sale for about 20% off from time to time so if you can wait for the sales......... See:

https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Wood-Tools- ... wood+tools

So this is how I feel about your subject.

Ed

Sorry I ignored your question about chucks

My thought is If you buy a chuck from Shopsmith you will have a good purchase.

I have a SuperNova2 chuck and I am very pleased with it. No experience with the Barracuda chuck so I can't comment there.

I bought mine at a local store KMS Tools (a Canadian chain store), when purchased they only had the generic 5/8" adapter.
Eventually they got in the Shopsmith specific adapter and I upgraded, I like it much better.

One of the turners I follow on YouTube, Al Furtado sometimes turns in reverse when doing the inside of a hollow form to get a better tool angle. (see 12:40 of this video)
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egdJhWBVXPY[/youtube]

Thanks to all who responded. I was already leaning toward the Super Nova chuck and Easy Wood chisels but it was good to get conformation from those who have actually used them.

Sehast
I have had the Nova G3 as well as a Oneway Talon. I preferred the Talon and I sold the G3 to a club member and used the money to get a second Talon. If you use The Talon on the Shopsmith with the taper lock adapter you can turn in reverse because the Talon's adapter is fastened to the chuck body with three screws and the chuck is is fastened to the SS spindle with the set screw. The G3 adapter screws into the chuck and MAY come loose when turning in reverse.
As for the lathe chisels, I have some of the EWT tools and they do a good job for scrapers.Lately I have been learning to use the conventional tools because they give a superior finish. But you do have to sharpen them frequently during turning.
Remember that the grain on a bowl blank changes every 90 deg so you cut with the grain and then end grain every 90 deg.
I find that I use the carbide tools for rough cuts such as hollowing a bowl until I get near the finish and then switch to the conventional tools for finishing. Much less sharpening!!
I do have the Sorby Sovereign system and I like the feature that lets you to tilt the cutter so the tool can be use din the shear/scrape mode and still keep the shaft flat on the tool rest. The carbide cutters work very well if you do any segmented stuff because you never get involved with the end grain cut. Just face grain or side grain.
My grinding station is the Rikon low speed grinder with the AO wheels and available from Woodcraft occasionally for $99. I also have the Oneway Wolverine grinding jig which I really like. I wish I had some of the money I spent over the years for ineffective sharpening systems back in my pocket.
Hope this helps and also saves you some time and money.
Bill V
P>S> I forgot to mention that the Sorby system cutter holders can hold the square, round or diamond cutters.

I use the Nova 2 and love it. As far as reversing I have never had an issue. I do not have a PP so I just change to the other side of the headstock for reverse sanding. I don't think I would try using a chisel on it in reverse but sanding is fine. As far as lathe tools I use steel chisels. I have several different brands but my favorites are still the SS chisels. I turn longer and fatter handles for them which I prefer for better control. I sharpen them on a jig attached to a SS belt sander which works best for me. I think the best upgrade you can do is the steady rest which makes a huge difference in the stability of the lathe.
Paul

masonsailor2 wrote:I use the Nova 2 and love it. As far as reversing I have never had an issue. I do not have a PP so I just change to the other side of the headstock for reverse sanding. I don't think I would try using a chisel on it in reverse but sanding is fine. As far as lathe tools I use steel chisels. I have several different brands but my favorites are still the SS chisels. I turn longer and fatter handles for them which I prefer for better control. I sharpen them on a jig attached to a SS belt sander which works best for me. I think the best upgrade you can do is the steady rest which makes a huge difference in the stability of the lathe.
Paul

????? Nothing is reversed other than your position. The sanding direction does not change.

The benefit from reverse turning is that if you are making a hollow form, with the machine in reverse you leave the tool rest in it's normal position (sort of) , but the gouge (or scraper) cuts on the right side of the piece. By doing this, it greatly improves your ability to see into the piece where you are cutting. You must use a grub screw to keep the insert on a Nova chuck from unscrewing and flying off. A Talon chuck's insert mechanically connects to the chuck, so a grub screw (on a Shopsmith) is not needed.