Replies

1. 
   GEide | Dec 09, 2008 09:23pm | #1

   Dear picapiedra,

   Sorry for the delay in getting you an answer. I'll touch base with a turner and see if we can get you a response.

   Thanks,

   Gina
   FineWoodworking.com

2. 
   user-1119429039 | Dec 09, 2008 10:00pm | #2

   Dear Picapiedra,

   Again, I'm afraid I don' t have any first-hand knowledge to impart. I do know that a growing number of accomplished turners, including Michael Hosaluk and Mark Sfirri, do some amazing off-center turnings. Robert Sorby makes a chuck for the purpose; it's comparable in price with a good scroll chuck, but I'm  told it does come with a pretty steep learning curve. There's an article on the FWW web site about making Christmas ornaments; the author uses a chuck like the Sorby in his work. Here's a link:

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesArticle.aspx?id=31908

   You don't need any extra gear at all to experiment with off-center turning: Take a blank, as if you were going to turn a spindle, but don't mount it exactly on center in the lathe. Put one end in deliberately off-center. Turn the blank round, and see what results. Try shifting it to a different pair of centers, turning again, and look at the results.

   For off-center turning of bowls and such, I'd suggest using a screw chuck. If you own a scroll chuck, it probably came with a screw accessory. Alternatively, you can buy a decent screw chuck for about $40; Highland Woodworking and Craft Supplies both sell them, I believe. You could, for example, begin with a bowl blank mounted on center so you can turn it round. Then thread the chuck into one of three evenly spaced holes away from dead center and hollow out a recess.(think of a triangle set in a circle; drive the screw into the points of the triangle). You'll wind up with a three-lobed bowl. Just be careful; the blank will be spinning off-center, so make sure it actually will turn. The hollowing cuts will be interrupted cuts, so work carefully and keep your tools sharp.

    

   Good luck. Hope this helps,

   David Heim
   Associate Editor
   FineWoodworking magazine

1. 
   picapiedra | Dec 09, 2008 10:45pm | #3

   Hi,

   Thanks for your help!  I'll give it a try to your recommendations!

   Best Regards,

   picapiedra