I am a woodworker who is just getting into turning. I turned one bowl last summer, and my 9-year-old son and I were both instantly hooked.
Last week, someone gave me a Central Machinery floor standing lathe. It has no chuck or centers on either the headstock or tailstock. There is a 1″ x 8 thread on the headstock, and a #2 Morse Taper on the tailstock.
Here are my questions: What do I need to get started turning bowls? I am looking at face plates, for around $20 or so, and chucks, which cost many times that. Is a 3″ face plate enough to get me going? As I get more serious, I could get a chuck later on. (Money is a major issue at the moment!)
Also: Do I need a center in the tailstock? Or is that only for turning spindles?
Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Alex
Replies
Alex,
You can get by with a face plate to get started with, but you'll eventually want a chuck. Face plates are screwed to the wood and it is possible to hit the screws if you aren't paying attention. Live centers are inexpensive and you should get one (and a drive center too). Often you will need to turn a block of wood into a cylinder to begin the bowl and I use a live center to provide additional support at the far end.
Jim
I'm not sure where you live, but if you're near a Woodcraft store they offer one-day courses on bowl turning. If you are just getting started this may be a good way to learn to turn safely as well as some new techniques. Turning is addictive because you can turn out a finished product quickly.
Jim
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