Anyone do Segmented Bowls???????????
ron61 | Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
I would like to try doing some Segmented Bowls and I need a Chuck for my lathe –
my lathe has a gap in the bed but is a 8 in. swing
I’m looking at the Nova Chuck “the middle size chuck” it is recommend for a bigger swing but the accessory jaws I think I need will not work on the smallest chuck that is for lathes up to 12 in. swing.
Do you think I could still use this bigger Chuck because of the gap bed?
I need some advise and would like to hear what kind of jaws I will be needing to get started with Segmented Bowls.
Thanks Ron
Who Ever Has The Biggest Pile Of Tools When You Die Wins
Replies
Hi Ron,
You don't actually *need* a chuck to do segmented bowls. I generally use a waste block screwed to a faceplate - glue the base of the bowl-to-be to that and build it up from there. A chuck with jumbo (a.k.a. Cole) jaws does come in handy for truing up faces of the rings before assembly. I use a SuperNova with Cole jaws for that, but that's too big for your lathe. Teknatool have come out with a mini-Cole jaw, "suitable for use on lathes with a swing up to 10"" which might work but... I have found that the Cole jaws will not grip all diameters. Surprising as it may seem, I have bowls which will not fit into the (fully expanded) jaws with the rubber grippers in one position, but move the grippers out one hole and the jaws won't grip at full contraction!
As an alternative, use the faceplate/waste block approach. As you assemble each ring be careful to keep the parts the same way up so one complete face needs only minimal sanding. Glue that face to the growing bowl and leave it to dry. Turn on the lathe and use a scraper to true up the not-so-perfect top face, glue on the next ring, clamp and leave it to dry...
HTH
Graeme
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