Replies

1. 
   ErnieConover | Aug 28, 2007 04:25pm | #1

   The lathe probably comes with a spur center for the headstock, a live center for the tail stock and a faceplate. This is a good start and all you really need to turn. The problem is that the spur and the live are probably of low quality. My favorite drive center is now the Steb center available in three sizes. The 1/2" and 7/8" sizes are all you probably need for now. I would also buy a good quality live center. I use a 60 degree live center 99% of the time for its small footprint. Do not feel the need to buy a cup type point.

   Once you can turn well with centers and a faceplate it is time to think about a jaw type chuck, properly called a scroll chuck. Both Nova (Teknatool) and OneWay make fine chucks and either would offer one suitable for your lathe.

   I want to emphasize that folks buy scroll chucks thing they will answer all sorts of problems. They are only useful if you can turn reasonably well to start with. For instance you usually have to turn a billet or blank between centers or on a face plate to "fit" it to the chuck. If your turning is not up to this, the chuck is a waste of time. Once you can turn blanks and billets to the size and shape YOU want them with the chucking you have, move on to a scroll chuck.

   With best regards,
   Ernie Conover

1. 
   user-58963 | Aug 28, 2007 04:42pm | #2

   There is no way to hollow out the inside of a box or bowl without a chuck, is there?  Don't you have to cut a tenon with the blank attached to the faceplate in order to hollow out the inside?

1. 
   ErnieConover | Aug 28, 2007 04:59pm | #3

   Actually I use a jam chuck, which is a block of wood on a face plate. I drill a hole about 1/2" in diameter through it for a knock out bar. (This allow ejection of the work as a jam chuck is no more that a custom made Morse taper.) I then scrape a hole the diameter of the billet I will turn the box from into the chuck. I put about a 3 degree inward taper on the hole and tap the billet into it with a hammer. I turn over by hand and tap appropriately until the billet is straight. (This is a case of $1 to tap it and $20 for knowing where.) There the proper chuck is made for nothing. I cover the subject fairly well in The Lathe Book.If you have the skill to fit the lid of the box you have the skill to fit the jam chuck. This is why scroll chucks hold so much false hope. With best regards,
   Ernie Conover

   Edited 8/28/2007 10:02 am ET by ErnieConover

1. 
   user-58963 | Aug 28, 2007 06:09pm | #4

   Thanks for the tip.  I will see if I can find a copy of the Lathe Book to see some pictures before I try that.  I have been through a one day bowl turning course, which is the extent of my practice, but I did make a fair bowl, at least for a first effort.

1. 
   ErnieConover | Aug 28, 2007 06:38pm | #5

   Yes, but bowl turning is faceplate work. Box making and jam chucking is purely spindle turning. You hollow much differently and with a spindle gouge instead of a bowl gouge.Regards,
   Ernie Conover

2. 
   user-58963 | Aug 28, 2007 06:56pm | #6

   I obviously have a lot to learn.