Not sure if my lathe would handle this

[sailor55330]

Hello all, I have a HF 34706 lathe that was a birthday gift to me. I've played with it enough to be comfortable and used to do some limited turning when I was much younger (scout projects, etc).

Yesterday, my wife surprised me with some "wood" to turn. Our neighbor cut down a tree from a storm and she brought home 4 sections of logs that are about the width of a full roll of paper towels and about 15 inches long each. I'm not 100% certain, but I think the wood is white oak. The sections appear to be pretty symetrical and free of knots, but it's hard to tell when the bark is still on. I would definitely put them in the basement and let them dry and season before turning.

She really wants to have something made out of them. I was thinking either small bowls, although I've never done any face turning or maybe something along the lines of some nightstand sized lamps.

I guess my questions are these:

1. Do you think this lathe could handle something like this?
2. What precautions might I have not thought about--never turned a "log"
3. Ideas for projects?
4. Am I crazy for even thinking about this?


Thanks

[scmhogg]

Sailor,

My only suggestion is to paint or wax the ends of the logs to slow the drying and splitting.

I used parafin and it limited end cracks.

Steve

[LCHIEN]

i was going to sugest that, too, if green logs, coat the ends of the logs with paint to keep them from drying too fast and splitting the ends (checking).

[Martin]

something to make with your logs

I have a pan of old holiday candles which I heat up and dip the ends of logs to aid in drying.
Just a suggestion, maybe your wife would like a pepper grinder to made from one of the logs.

[sailor55330]

Thank you for the suggestion on dipping in wax/sealant. I didn't know that one.

So, do y'all think I'll be alright or am I brewing a recipe for shrapnel?

[schloff]

Sailor,

I really enjoy turning. I have only used a few species on the lathe so far, though. I have found that oak, being a long grained wood, is more difficult to turn than walnut or cherry.

While that is the case, you can produce some very nice turnings, as long as you're patient, and your knives are sharp.

I wouldn't worry about the "quality" of your lathe, it'll hold up fine. My starter lathe was so primitive and weak that I needed to literally "pull-start" the wood after I turned the motor on. I used a nylon rope, wrapped around the workpiece, and gave it a pull to get it started. I couldn't be too aggressive with the knives or it would stall, and have to pull start again. Glad those days are over.

As long as the piece is secured between centers, you'll be in business.

Be careful, and have fun. Welcome to the vortex.

[dbhost]

Sailor,

I have that same lathe, and turn a LOT of oak on it. The only downside I see is the stock belt on these lathes glazes up after a while and starts slipping. I need to replace mine, but have deglazed it temporarily with a sanding sponge and it is working for now...

Like the others have said, seal that cutoff and you should be fine.

There are a LOT of videos on Youtube on faceplate turning, chucks and the like... Go over and check them out. The Jet Workshop series is particularly good...

Keep your turning tools good and sharp, go slow, and just enjoy the process, some nice bowls will pop out of those before you know it...

[BigguyZ]

If you're going to do bowls, my suggestion would ne to turn those now while they're still green. The wet wood will be easier to cut. Just don't shape the bowl all the way. Get ot to about twice the thickness and then stick it in a paper bag with some of the fresh shavings. That'll allow it to dry slowly and reduce the chance of the bowl cracking. Once it's dried out fullt, use a chuck to hold it and turn it again to the final shape and thickness. This is turning twice, and is a method many turners use.

[SteveR]

+1 on what Bigguy said. Like mentioned, many turners do this. Makes things easier in the long run.

Projects: Just mount solidly between centers for nightstand lamps......if ya screw up, then "re-design" for candlestick holders. I could see a couple/few bowls coming out of a log, or maybe a few platters <- these are actually pretty easy with correct tool and presentation. Or salt/pepper grinders, rolling pins, potpourri bowls, ornaments, spinning tops, mallets, vases, bud vases and so on. <- do google searches on these and a ton will show.

I am not familiar with your lathe, but if has a slow setting, place it on that until the material is balanced, then can speed up from there. Placing ballast (weight) on the bottom frame will help too.

Focus on projects for the wife.........tool purchases go much smoother that way not necessarily the rolling pin or mallet tho, those could be returned in a bad way Once you start in on this... and get hooked, you will want some additional tools. Keep tools SHARP....safer and more pleasurable.