I have a 12 inch Rikon lathe and have learned from both reading and experience the relation of turning speed to the diameter of the blank. I am also thinking of turning bowls larger than my 12 Rikon will allow. That means a new lathe in the future. However, the HF and low end Grizzly ($300 - $500) range only goes down to 600 RPM. And 600 RPM seems fairly high and dangerous for 14 to 16 inch blanks. After the low end Grizzly and HF, the price jumps to well over $1000 for any lathe that will turn at 200 - 400 RPM.
Is there a chart or generalized opinion of what is a safe speed for particular diameter? I know that once roughed turned and balance is achieved, the speed can be increased, but rough just mounted blanks are outright dangerous as speed increases.
Opinions and wisdom on the speed vs diameter relationship?
(BTW, This is a next year project at the earliest. Just trying to get my head around it,)
Is there a chart or generalized opinion of what is a safe speed for particular diameter? I know that once roughed turned and balance is achieved, the speed can be increased, but rough just mounted blanks are outright dangerous as speed increases.
Opinions and wisdom on the speed vs diameter relationship?
(BTW, This is a next year project at the earliest. Just trying to get my head around it,)
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