Lathe Turning Lathe turning is perhaps the There are two basic kinds of only woodworking operation in lathe turning: spindle turning and which, after stock is cut to size, you faceplate turning. can start and finish a project in just Spindle turning is turning stock one mode of the Mark V. But it between two centers--the drive also demands a good deal more center and the cup center (Figure skill and patience than other opera- 12-1). Usually the end product is a ations. If you're just beginning, long cylinder, like a table leg or a don't be dkcouraged. Turning takes candlestand. a little practice, but once you get Faceplate turning is turning the hang of it, it's one of the most with the stock mounted to a face- satisfying woodworking techniques. Figure 12-2. The accessories that are plate (Figure 12-2). This faceplate used for faceplate turning are the: (A) The lathe hasn't changed in is, in turn, mounted to the main faceplate, and (B) tool rest. principle since it was a primitive, spindle. The end product is usually bow-powered tool that is said to shorter and wider than spindle have been invented in ancient turning, like a platter or bowl. Egypt. It remains a means of Shopsmith offers two faceplates, 3- you'll find that the Mark V is an turning stock at controlled speeds 3/4" and 6" in diameter. extremely capable lathe with several so sharp tools may be pressed special features. against it, shaping it symmetrically. LATHE MODE - SETUP AND • It has aswing of 8-1/8", so that Electric motors have replaced the FEATURES you can turn stock up to 16-1/4" various hand powered or foot To set up your Mark V in the in diameter. It will hold a spindle powered devices originally used, lathe mode, follow the instructions up to 34" long between the but the quality of the output still in the Owners Manual that came center-long enough to turn table depends on the operator's skill with your machine. legs. in manipulating the chisels used As you work in the lathe mode, • The quill feed holds the spindle in to form the stock. place between the centers. • The tool rest is 8" long and swivels a full 360 degrees. It adjusts up or down with the table height mechanism and sideways by sliding the carriage along the way tubes. The Model 510 tool rest arm has a center post posi- tion that is used when turning heavy stock. • The speed dial provides a broad range of speeds for a variety of lathe operations from rough shaping to finish sanding. • The tailstock has an eccentric mount to aid in turning tapers. • A lathe steady rest is available that helps to reduce whip and Figure 12-1. The accessories that are used for spindle turning operations are the: (A) drive center, (B) tool rest, (C) cup center, (0) tailstock, and (E) optional steady rest. vibration of the spindle stock. The steady rest helps to reduce whip and vibration LATHE TOOLS There are four basic tools that you need when doing lathe work (Figure 12-3). • Gouges are used to round the stock and to make concave curves called "coves," mostly in spindle turning. • Roundnose chisels are also used to make coves, mostly in face- plate turning. • Skew chisels are used to make convex curves called "beads." Figure 12-3. There are four basic types of lathe tools: (A) the gouge, (B) They can also be used to cut the roundnose chisel, (C) the skew chisel, and (D) the parting tool. straight or tapered cylinders. • Parting tools are used mostly for sizing and parting operations. A basic lathe tool set includes 1" and 1/2" gouges, a 1/2" round- nose chisel, a 1" skew chisel, and a 1/8" parting tool. These five tools can be used for all types of turning. HOLDING LATHE TOOLS Two ways to grip lathe tools properly (reverse if left handed) are Figure 12-4. Two ways to hold lathe tools. demonstrated in Figure 12-4. The left hand is usually placed on top of the blade, with the little finger tool may be moved along the tool ner to use. Many experienced toward the stock. The butt of the rest parallel to the work, taking a operators use this action almost hand or little finger rides against the bite that remains constant because exclusively because it gives good finger ledge. The right hand holds the left hand butts against the tool results. the handle of the tool and provides rest ledge and acts as a control. A scraping action with a round- the movement which determines the The feed of the chisel, which nose chisel is shown in Figure 12-6. cut. The part of the hand that rests determines the amount of wood Notice that the hand position hasn't on the finger ledge also acts as a removed, should be slow and changed except for the fingers. gauge. steady--never forced, never jabbed Placed as shown, the thumb and An alternate method of holding into the work. After the tool is in forefingers do most of the gripping the lathe tools consists of placing position, start the cut by advancing and help to bring the cutting edge the left hand on the blade with the the tool slowly until it touches the of the chisel close to a horizontal thumb on top. The back of the hand wood. plane. This position is maintained rests on the finger ledge and the while the chisel is advanced to the fingers are placed comfortably Three Cutting Actions depth of the cut and then moved around the tool or on the finger Each of the lathe chisels act in slowly from side to side to increase ledge. The right hand serves the the three ways shown in Figure 12- the cut's width if necessary. Full same purpose in this holding 5, depending on how you hold depth does not have to be reached method as it does in the method them. at once. The chisel may be moved mentioned previously. Scraping--Scraping is the forward a slight amount and then When making smoothing cuts easiest and safest of the three moved from side to side as the or when roughing stock to size, the actions and the best for the begin- pivot point is maintained. The Figure 12-7. The start of a shearing action with a gouge. The tool is at a slight angle with its cutting edge tangent to the work. Figure 12-5. The three basic chisel actions-scraping, shearing and cutting. The scraping action has many applications and is the first technique for you to master. Figure 12-8. The shearing action of cutting beads with a skew. shown in Figure 12-8. Shearing a Figure 12-6. A scraping action with a roundnose chisel moved directly forward cove is one of the easier cuts. Since produces a cove equal to the size of the chisel. Position of hand, tool rest, and chisel are the tool is held on edge, move your shown here. thumb behind it to steady it while procedure is repeated until the full scraping action to be thoroughly making the cut. When the gouge is shape is formed. Each "pass" familiar with each tool and what it sharp and properly held, wood is removes a little more wood. can do. Once you have become removed rapidly and the surface is Cutting--This action calls for proficient with the cutting action, left smooth. bringing the tool edge into the you'll find that it leaves a surface While each of the tools does surface almost as if it were a knife. smooth enough to finish with a little certain operations better, the The feed should be slow and the touch-up. overlap is so great that no hard- cut should be light. Warning: If Shearing--The shearing action and-fast limitations can be set down you jab the chisel into the work- is usually limited to the skew and for each one. Each tool will cut piece suddenly or deeply, the gouge. It is a cutting action with differently, depending on the action, chisel will be wrenched from your the tool edge moved parallel to the the angle, and the way it is moved. hands. You could be seriously work, taking a constant bite, Practice with each tool until you injured. At the very least you will shearing away a layer of wood from have the feel of each of them. When ruin the workpiece by cutting and the surface of the stock. A shearing you arrive at this point, habit will lifting a large splinter from it. Don't action with the gouge is illustrated take over and your use of the tools use the cutting action until you in Figure 12-7. The shearing action will become an individual applica- have practiced enough with the of cutting beads with a skew is tion that is standard with you. Figure 12-9. The gouge is a very versatile lathe tool. It can be used to: (A) shape a cove (scraping action), (B) shape a cove (cutting action), (C) smooth a cylinder, (D) cut away stock between shoulders, (E) round, (F) shape, and (G) make small coves (deter- Figure 12-10. Use the gouge ror rounding mined by the size of the gouge-scraping). operations. Work from a midpoint toward each end of the stock. too much material at once.