Issue 43
June 2013 |
Is this bowl safe to put food in once the finish has dried and cured? • I've been trying to find decent calipers to use. • I have wanted to do some turned pieces with a pewter inlay. • When is it time to throw the gouge away and purchase a new one? • Any tips for keeping walnut sapwood from turning that dull gray color? • What can you tell me about soapstone? • Can I cut at a higher speed while the tailstock is in place? • Do you have any suggestions or tips on refurbishing sanding pads? • Is cocobolo safe to use for utensils that come in contact with food? |
Issue 42
April 2013 |
What type of abrasive paper is the best for sanding on the lathe? • Is there a mechanical advantage for tightening the chuck tenon in an expansion mode as opposed to compression mode for a bowl? • I do a lot of drilling on the lathe using the tailstock, and over the last few months, my tailstock’s turn crank has become fairly hard to turn. • I recently saw a bowl made from many pieces of wood, but the boards had been cut at an angle, glued up, and turned into a bowl. How was this done? • Do you need to rough-turn spindle blanks the same as you do bowls, or can you just let them sit till they reach equilibrium and hope they don’t crack or warp? • I am interested in purchasing one of the new hollowing tools, but cannot decide which one would be best for hollowing segmented bowls. |
Issue 38
August 2012 |
I have a very inexpensive lathe and can’t afford to purchase a better one at the moment. • I see faceplates advertised that are made from both aluminum and steel. The steel ones are usually more expensive; does that make them better? • Just how important is it to have the tailstock in alignment with the headstock? • How can I get a smooth finish on the inside of a deep, narrow vase? • What do you think has been the biggest improvement in turning over the last twenty-five years—new tool steels, a specific tool, bigger and better lathes—what? • I’m from Australia and was just looking for feedback and some information on Wipe-On Poly as a finish. |
Issue 37
June 2012 |
I like to use an oil finish on my turnings, but I have been having a problem with the product (Waterlox) thickening up and forming a film on the top and then turning to gel. • What is the best way to gently (or not) persuade living, crawling bugs out from holes in the logs of spalted maple that I have recently acquired? • Any great tips on dealing with plastic? • As I am attempting to turn the outer edges of the face in a 1" thick plate blank, I get chatter, very loud screeching noises, and the tools cut “waves” (literally) in the wood on the face of the plate. • I’ve been looking at segmented turnings and would like to try my hand at making some. • I’ve heard that I shouldn’t use drywall screws for mounting faceplates. So what should I use and why? |
Issue 36
April 2012 |
Do you have any experience turning pine and is it worth the effort? • I want to make several negative rake scrapers of different shapes. • I’m thinking about buying an electric chainsaw to use inside my shop during the winter months. • I wanted to try ebonizing some cherry. Is there something else I can use that will provide better results? • I would like to try spalting my own wood. Do you know if there is a good “recipe” for doing this? |
Issue 34
December 2011 |
Can I safely use a cabinet scraper that is made for use on flat work on a bowl to remove tool marks and to lessen sanding? • Do you have any idea about what are the oldest known wooden bowl and drinking cup? • Do you have any suggestions on how to salvage this redwood? • My brother is a carver and I would like to turn a mallet for him • I’d like to ask a question about the lathe tailstock. Is it okay to use it extended? • I’ve seen bowl gouges advertised with both “V”- and “U”-shaped flutes; is there any difference in the way they cut? |
Issue 33
October 2011 |
From time to time, I’d like to mix two different cyanoacrylate glues (CA or superglue) together • I recently coated some green turning blanks with Anchorseal and noticed that they are starting to mold. • I have been turning a lot of wet wood, and I am wondering what is the best way to remove the tar and other deposits from my lathe now that it has dried? • I have never made an end-grain platter, so I thought I would ask for opinions and suggestions before I try it • Is it feasible to sharpen the blades myself or should I just throw them out when they get dull? |
Issue 32
August 2011 |
I’m freaking out about the amount of rust on the lathe ways. • In the tool catalogs, there is a large variety of lathe centers. Please explain the differences. • Is there a finish that is durable and heat resistant that would be suitable for trivets? • Which is better to do on a turning that has a hole in the middle (such as a candlestick) • Is the term “rain forest wood” determined by geographical location or by species? • Is it feasible to prepare green wood blanks for “non-bowl” items? |
Issue 31
June 2011 |
When kits have the flat, long pieces of metal to be inserted, what tool do I use? • Can someone point me in the right direction for information on the pros and cons of sanding either wet or dry, and what is best to use as a lubricant when sanding wet? • Can someone explain to me how you can turn a wet bowl, sand it, and finish it in one session, and not have the bowl crack? |
Issue 30
April 2011 |
I am interested in finding some kind of “brew” that I could soak the turning blanks in and stabilize them for turning. • I’ve often heard that there are advantages to a curved skew chisel over a straight skew chisel. • Someone just gave me a rather large cherry burl, and I’m wondering what would be the best way to mount it on the lathe. |
Issue 29
February 2011 |
I belong to a woodworking club and have noticed that woodcarvers usually hone their tools after using the wheel to shape or restore an edge • Are moisture meters really worth buying or are there easier, more accurate ways to determine if a rough-turned bowl is ready to turn? • Are some wheels better than others, or do you have any ideas about how to keep these marks from appearing? • I recently started to turn vessels that are about 10" in diameter with a 5" opening. |
Issue 28
Winter 2011 |
Is there a better way to store the glue so it doesn’t thicken? • I have just started to make bowls from green wood, and I am having a problem with sanding • Need to sharpen a 3/8" lamp auger, and I was wondering if you could give me any instruction on how to do this properly • My face shield has become a little cloudy from long-term use, is there a safe way to restore this face shield? • Is there any way to keep wood from turning brown instead of keeping the red/purple color? |
Issue 27
Fall 2010 |
I would like to know if the advantages of the carbide tools outweigh the disadvantages • I’m somewhat new to woodturning and would like to turn a bowl with natural wood and stained wood on the same piece • I recently joined a woodturning club and have acquired a box elder log about 11" in diameter by 7 or 8 feet long. I want to turn bowls for utility us. |
Issue 26
Summer 2010 |
Does the spalting create any health issues in the use of the bowls? • A problem with the aluminum faceplate — heat between steel and aluminum • A new chuck and a potential problem • What is the difference between using a negative rake scraper or just holding my flat scraper at a negative angle ?• Is it safe to use a 3-jawed chuck on my wood lathe? • Decorating a surface with “burn marks.” |
Issue
25
Spring
2010 |
Left/right “handedness” in woodturning • Should a person hone their tools after sharpening them? • Dale’s advice on drying tropical exotics that come totally immersed in wax • While working on a small box, it suddenly launched itself across the room and broke. What did I do wrong and is there any way to prevent this from happening? |
Issue
24
Winter
2010 |
Does your wood "speak" to you? • Does microwaving rough bowl blanks work for all species of wood or just a select few? • Drying wood without checking. • Is there a formula to determine how long the handle of a tool must be when reaching over the tool rest with a gouge and/or a scraper? |
Issue 23
Fall 2009 |
How will stone dust affect the motor on a lathe? • Suggestions on keeping large voids and bark inclusions together when turning. • Suggestions on how to make a good jig for turning lattices on a lathe. • Reviewing some of the methods used for "ebonizing" on less expensive wood. |
Issue 22
Summer 2009 |
How do I sharpen my new spear point scraper and 3/8" x 3/4" square point scraper? • What makes a lathe tailstock “self-ejecting”? • Could you please give an overview of how to use a three-wheel buffing system in the most effective way? • Do you have any suggestions for a good sealer for a usable shaving mug? |
Issue 21
Spring 2009 |
Is there a way to cut a blank, yielding enough to make a small bowl, without purchasing expensive, dedicated equipment? • When does a bowl become a platter and a platter become a bowl? • What is the difference between a “detail gouge” and a “spindle gouge?” • What are the “Rules for Woodturning”? |
Issue
19
Fall
2008 |
Process
of colored stone inlaid in cracks or knots • Pyramid point tool
• Limitations to the technique of hot melt glue to attach small
blanks to faceplates • Deciding on what type of chuck to
buy • Jaws— the most common sets of jaws and what they can be/are used
for. |
Issue 18
Summer 2008 |
Proper technique using scrapers without getting some tearout • Best speeds for sanding • Should one continue to develop skills with an out-of-fashion tool with which I am comfortable, or should one abandon it and learn to use a skew chisel? • Learning about holding fixtures, specifically methods of holding the front and reverse sides of plate/platters. |
Issue 17
Spring 2008 |
Using a scraper to turn stave bowls • What is the best way to stop “bleed-through” on woods such as padauk and holly, and ebony and maple? • Recommendations as to the best way to correct an old tool rest that is very rough as the tools were sliding along it • Could you please explain when it is best to use vacuum chucking and how I would determine the maximum weight the technique will support? |
Issue 16
Winter 2008 |
The different strengths and weaknesses of spindle gouges, (“regular”, “Continental” , “European”, “German”) and how to decide what to use without buying one of each and trying them out? • Suggestions on removing a faceplate • Sharpening tools on a belt sander vs wheel? • Bushing sizes and dressing a wheel |
Issue 15
Fall 2007 |
I frequently have tearout on the inside end grain. I need suggestions on preventing the tearout or how to best get rid of it if it does happen. • Is there any trick or technique to finding and preserving alignment other than buying a more expensive machine? • I have a set of step-down pulleys with the following diameters: 3-1/2", 3", 2-1/4", and 1-1/2". Is it possible to calculate the lathe speed with this information? • I am having problems with the sanding discs separating from the backing while sanding. What do you recommend as the best lathe RPM for power sanding to prevent this from happening? |
Issue 14
Summer 2007 |
What is the primary distinction between a bowl gouge and a spindle gouge? •
Is there anything I can do to prevent checking once work on the blank has begun? •
What is the best way to remove and separate the turning from the tape without damage? •
Does oil create problems with finish? |
Issue 12
Winter
2007 |
What is the proper way to use a drill chuck for drilling a hole on the lathe? •
What is the best way to remove and separate the turning from the double-faced tape without damage? •
What do round tool rests have over the traditional flat ones? •
Can you explain the technique for applying oil to torn grain area? |
Issue 11
Fall
2006 |
Do beading tools actually work satisfactorily for making beads or would I be better off becoming proficient with either a skew or a spindle gouge? • With all the different types of abrasives on the market, which would be the recommended one to use for sanding my turnings? •There is some debate about grinding skews. Should they be ground with a slight hollow or is a flat grind better? Should the end be flat or curved? •
I was given a nice burl but have noticed that there is sawdust coming from it, which I assume means it’s infested with some sort of critter. What is the best way to kill the little buggers? |
Issue 10
Summer 2006 |
I am looking for a quick, easy, durable finish that can be applied to projects directly on the lathe. Any suggestions? • I have an opportunity to purchase a number of 3" aluminum faceplates for my lathe. Will these be substantial enough to turn large bowl blanks, or should I save my money and purchase steel ones instead? • Someone offered me a large spalted maple blank, but I am hesitant to accept it. I am concerned not only with the potential respiratory problems, but also about the possibility that the blank might fracture while turning. Is spalted wood worth the bother? • I see a lot of newer tools advertised with aluminum shot-filled handles. Are these handles better than the old-fashioned wooden ones? |
Issue 9
Spring
2006
|
I used to finish most of my projects on the lathe until I noticed that my scroll chuck jaws were becoming increasingly hard to move because of all the gunk between the jaws and other parts. Is there any hope for this chuck? Can I take the chuck entirely apart to clean it and, if so, how do I go about it? • I have a “reversing” feature on my lathe, which allows me to change its direction of spin. Short of sanding, is this a practical feature? How safe is it to turn “backwards”? • I have read recently about lathe duplicators on some turning forums and am intrigued about using one. Are they efficient and easy to set up? Will I get a good finish off the lathe? • Should I bolt my lathe to the floor? |
Issue 8
Winter
2006 |
How do I determine if the lathe is at the correct height for me? What is the best way to either raise or lower the lathe if necessary? • I have contemplated wearing gloves, but I don’t know if they are safe. Are they? • What type of routine maintenance should I perform on my grinding wheel, and specifically what should I watch for? How can I tell when it is time to replace the wheel? • Can you provide a simple explanation of what “negative rake scraping” is and its benefits? |
Issue 7
Fall
2005 |
Is there a point when a bowl blank becomes too large to turn safely on a chuck and requires the use of a faceplate? What type of screws do you recommend, and is there any formula to determine their length? • Is using dry, seasoned wood best when learning to turn spindles or will “green” wood work better? Is there a particular species of wood that you favor for beginners? • What would you suggest that I start out an 11-year old on—small bowls, etc., or should I teach her to turn spindles first? • My spur drive got stuck in the headstock of my lathe. How can I prevent this from happening in the future, and what is the easiest way to free it if it happens again? |
Issue 6
Summer 2005 |
What kind of wood should I use to make tool handles? What is the best way to drill the hole in the handle, and how should I lock the tool in place? • How does one determine the proper wall thickness of a wooden bowl in relation to diameter? • Is it best to use a hardwood when making a glue block or can I use softwood? What is the best adhesive with which to attach the glue block? • Cyanoacrylate Glue: Is it best to store the glue in the freezer or refrigerator after opening the container? Can I successfully glue oily woods like cocobolo with this glue? What about long-term glue-ups? Does the adhesive have longevity? |
Issue 5
Spring
2005 |
Am I better off buying used or should I go out and buy one of the “sets” that I see offered in the different catalogs? What would you suggest as a basic set of starter tools that would help me to make table legs in addition to bowls? • Just what do catalog steel numbers mean, and how can I tell what’s best for me? • Grinders–slow/fast, wheel materials and grits ... Do you have a suggestion? • Is there a speed that I can just set my lathe at and forget about it, or do I have to go through some complex formula to determine this? |
