New Toy!

TexasTimbers · December 26, 2006, 06:30:11 PM

I guess we are a bunch of worry warts. We just don't want that big monster to eat ya. SD is right. So is FDH. See my "Loose clothing . . . . . " post in the Health and Safety Section.

That's a big machine and it won't slow down if you get caught in it. Turning redwood, or even red wood is one thing, but having red leaking out of the turner ain't sumptin anyone here wants to hear about.

Now, that said - have a blast!!! (and don't have any loose clothing on)

ElectricAl · December 26, 2006, 07:01:19 PM

Very nice ;)

We have found that green Soft Maple is about the most forgiving wood around here.
Steer clear of Basswood, Cottonwood, and the Elms for now ;D

Green is a lot easier to work, but it will rust your lathe

Dry will heat and dull the tools faster :-\

pigman · December 26, 2006, 07:57:06 PM

Sounds like ElectricAl, like me, has some experience with turning elm. I turned a small bowl out of some dry elm. That stuff was as hard as nails. I about wore out my cheap bowl gauge sharpening it so often. I burned the rest of the dry elm bowl blanks. They burned real hot. 8) I like to turn cherry and walnut the best.

Bob

Engineer · December 26, 2006, 08:07:37 PM

That's a nice machine. I didn't even realize Powermatic made one that big, I'd been eyeballing a new Oneway 2436 for just that reason - large capacity.

Most important thing to learn is how to properly sharpen your tools. Even cheap Harbor Freight carbon steel tools will cut like a dream if they are sharpened correctly. I took a couple classes in Boston, and also discussed this with Ernie Conover at his shop in Ohio. The impression I got was that lathe tools (like plane irons, chainsaw chains and chisels) should really be considered consumables due to the sharpening required. Half of one, one-day class was devoted strictly to sharpening. I have a really nice set of Crown Pro-PM lathe chisels that I had been afraid to use because I didn't know how to keep 'em cutting cleanly; now I know. Invest in a slow-speed grinder if you don't have one, and maybe a buffing wheel too.

Enjoy that monster, hope you can show us some photos of what you turn.

Furby · December 26, 2006, 08:12:22 PM

If I remember right, Norm is a pro at working with out ~~clothing~~ loose clothing so she should have a good trainer there. ;)

SwampDonkey · December 27, 2006, 08:35:40 AM

Also, those Aluminum Oxide (white) grinding wheels are nice. They don't burn like the cheapo (grey) wheels. They will burn if you hold in one place and bear pressure, you don't put hardly any pressure on your tool when sharpening, just enough to hold it there. Be delicate. A nice bar of honing compound for the buffing wheel is nice to have on hand to take the burs and roughness off. I get mine from Lee Valley.

I've turned elm also, it does get 'warm', but good sharp tools will eat into it real nice. I love the grain in elm to. 8) Hard to come by now, the big ones are most all dead or have been cut down.

shopteacher · December 27, 2006, 10:56:43 AM

Wow, that thing needs a pulpit to sit in while you operate it. Have fun and play safe.

low_48 · December 29, 2006, 11:55:16 PM

I would be glad to help you with the new lathe Patty, it looks like a beaut ;). We live about 250 miles from each other though, you can probably find someone closer. If you can't find someone closer, would you be interested in coming to Peoria, IL? I've been turning for 21 years, and have a Oneway 2436, two Jet minis, a metal turret lathe, 9x20 Jet metal lathe, CNC Emco metal lathe. I teach woodturning at our local Woodcraft Store, and am a founding member of our AAW woodturning club chapter, president for 5 years. I use a Woodcraft 1725 rpm grinder and the Oneway Wolverine system for sharpening, with the vari-grind attachment for my gouges. I use the 60 grit aluminum oxide wheel the most, the 120 grit for scrapers. I have turned bowls up to 20" diameter, and turn alot of natural edge work as well. I turn pens and Christmas ornaments for a little income, Peoria is not a mecca of woodturning collectors. I have sold some bowls, but sell alot more of the little stuff. I've got tons of material squirreled away, let me know if you want to come over for a weekend of turning, or just have any questions.

Patty · December 31, 2006, 09:02:05 AM

You are very generous low-48. Been turning for 21 years, hmmmm. Have a Oneway 2436, hmmm

, man you even teach woodworking. I could use a neighbor like you! I am thinking you and Scott could share the neighbor's place after we kick him out. ;D Me and Norm would most certainly enjoy a visit to your place. Someday when we get a whole day off from the day job we just might suprise you. ;)

Until that day, I will most certainly be picking your brain with questions......maybe this will give Charlie a break for awhile. :D

katie-did · January 02, 2007, 08:53:53 PM

Now Patty isn't that al little over kill for turning pens? ??? OH you got the bug did you? 8) I can wait to see some pictures so maybe I could get the bug back. I just have not been in the mood here of late but I am going to get the sewing machine back out this week and finish some Ann and Andy dolls for the niece and then maybe the creative juices will be a flowing and I will get back out in the shop.

That is a nice one thought smiley_bouncing_pinky just wish that we had a shop big enough to put one in don't know that I would get up the courage to run it but it would be nice to have one setting here.

Patty · January 04, 2007, 09:55:22 AM

Katie, do you have your dolls finished yet?

Sewing always puts me in a good mood. I made several dolls this fall for a friend, and it was great fun. Then I sewed up couple little baby quilts for Christmas gifts that were a joy to make. Norm is building a new sewing table for me this month with a glass top for ease in cutting fabric and pinning up patterns. With a glass top the pins and needles can't mar the finish.

Anyway, I hope you get back into the swing of things and the creative juices start to flow again. Yesterday I started a cigar pen that I hope to dye the wood on. I haven't given up on the dye yet, even though the black dye on the bookcase was a disaster. :

Patty · January 06, 2007, 01:20:45 PM

Lightweight battery-powered face shield circulates air while protecting your eyes and face from small debris such as wood particles and wood shavings — ideal for routing and woodturning.

Any of you folks ever used one of these? Are they worth the $279 it takes to buy one?

Tom · January 06, 2007, 01:30:33 PM

We looked into those a few years ago and my old-timer turner friend actually bought one. He sent it back.

We decided that it was one of those "When I hit the lotto" types of tools.

A paint or dust mast under your face shield does as good or better, is much cheaper and lighter, and doesn't break.

Stopping the dust from getting into your lungs is paramount (there is little to none unless sanding). The reason for the face shield is to help protect from an exploded bowl or loose knots. It's important to have one.

We figured that a fairly strong fan behind you when you turn does as good as one of those helmets.

treenail · January 06, 2007, 07:22:18 PM

That is one great looking lathe you have there. Ought to handle just about anthing you can mount a faceplate to. Have been using a 2horse dust collection system for dust control on my sixteen inch lathe , plus a dust mast. Works pretty well, but am interested in whether the ventilator helmets work well or not.

Burlkraft · January 07, 2007, 07:26:00 AM

I tried one once....I didn't buy one cuz it was like turnin' in a fishbowl... ;D ;D ;D

Norm · January 07, 2007, 07:50:23 AM

Well we tried out Patty's new lathe yesterday. Had a heck of a time finding anything of size to fit on it so we ended up using some dry spalted hard maple. Boy they don't call it hard maple for nothing. On the plus side we'd just sharpened all the tools on the tormak so they were razor sharp. I'm making a bud vase for the dining room table out of the chunk I found but ran into a knot that needed some thick CA applied so didn't get finished yet. The lathe is a beast and it's neat to be able to adjust the speed so easily. It's very smooth running and doesn't hesitate one bit but it also let me know who was boss. :D

Patty · January 07, 2007, 08:18:15 AM

Yea, the old head in the fish bowl syndrome! I hate that. :D

I spent all night hacking and coughing and trying to blow out all the dust I inhaled yesterday. There just has to be a better way. I was wearing a regular dust mask while sanding, but Norm said everytime he looked over there was just a cloud of sawdust all around my head. Finally we just opened up the door and let the outdoor air come in, but that gets a bit chilly in January. :

I was hoping one of those ventilated masks would do the trick. :-\

I ordered face shields from Rockler yesterday, only to see them on Amazon at half the cost this morning. Geeesh. :

Sometimes you just need to go back to bed. :-\

Fla._Deadheader · January 07, 2007, 08:34:28 AM

Patty, do NOT breathe that Spalted dust. It is BAAAD. Fix a fan to the side of you. From the back, it will "Swirl" the dust around you.

Don't remember the technical stuff, BUT, that spalt is REALLY BAAAD.

Patty · January 07, 2007, 08:40:35 AM

No kidding Harold.

I am still miserable this morning. Sawdust really irritates the sinus and the lungs. Maybe a respirator would help. Can't be any worse than the stupid dust mask.

Fla._Deadheader · January 07, 2007, 08:45:34 AM

It's not the sawdust, Patty. It's the moldy stuff from the Spalt.

Being associated with Medical stuff, do you know any place with one of them machines that help clear stuff from lungs ??? That may be a good way to get it out of your system ?? it's REALLY BAAAD stuff. ;D ;D

SwampDonkey · January 07, 2007, 11:21:12 AM

I've been breathing a few hours of butternut dust, sanding this desk. I only have a dust mask and it ain't much good in fine dust. I have to keep the door of the shop open, as I'm afraid of that super fine dust consuming the place and igniting like a bomb from the wood stove.

I keep a slow fire in it with this out of the world mild weather we have. Temp this morning went down to 34 F and now back up to 40 with a NW wind. I'de like to know when NW winds starting getting warmer, they's used to be $%#$%#$%#

cold.

sawguy21 · January 07, 2007, 11:26:16 AM

SD be real careful with that dust around an open flame or you will get picked up for speeding over Nova Scotia.

metalspinner · January 07, 2007, 09:05:48 PM

Patty,
You need to get a dust collecter set up run to the lathe. Even a small one will do the job. Wood dust is a know carcinogen. Add spalted wood to that and you better watch out. Not to mention all that dust is distracting to the work at hand which could lead to an injury.
Please take care...