I am having trouble turning cups and bowls. The wood splits. It is seasoned. Should I use green wood? The chuck dives into the wood after clamping. The chiseling end is where the clamp dives. Cherry and sugar maple are all that I’ve used so far.
Also, how do I cut the excess wood out of the center of the cup?
Replies
I'am guessing that you are chucking into the end grain. Chuck into the long grain. About Green wood, You will always get some movement as it continues to dry out unless you rough turn the piece to an even thickness and then let it dry completely and then return the dried piece.
What kind of chuck are you using? What do you consider seasoned?
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Edited 12/22/2007 7:20 pm ET by BruceS
thanx for the info bruce.....
If I use a branch for say the only way to clamp is to end grain. Seasoned I mean dry. One piece was a year old and another was about five years dry. All still in rough state like a five inch branch. I am just starting out. I bought an old craftsman lathe. The chucks are the kind I used in grade school. One has teeth by the moter and the other is round. The round one is the one that dives into the wood. I have not tried a plate chuck yet that would probably be the best. The wood on the other pieces was maple and cherry. Which after a day split like crazy
thanx again for the info and your time
Your last post clears things up a little, The best thing you could do is to pick up a good beginners turning book and read it cover to cover a few times. Three authors I like are Mike Darlow, Richard Raffin and Ernie Conover. I would start out with Darlows, Fundimentals of wood turning.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
It sounds like you are turning between centers into the end grain. The tailstock center will split the wood in the end grain if the center is forced into the end.. You would need to be careful using a faceplate on end grain also, the screws do not hold as well in end grain. If the piece is not really big in diameter it would be best to use a 4 jaw chuck to hold the wood. A tailstock center can then be used lightly to hold that end until you can turn a tenon on the end so that you can reverse the stock and attach the tenon end to the four jaw chuck. That will give you a secure means to hold a short blank.
Hope this helps.
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