PREPARATION
1.
SPINDLE TURNING
If you are not experienced at the art of wood
turning, we suggest that you practice using the
various wood turning tools, starting with turning
a small spindle.
1.1 Select a piece of wood 50x50x305mm.
NOTE:
If you use a ‘dead centre’ i.e not a rotating
type, put a drop of oil or wax on the wood
where it contacts the centre. This will
lubricate the wood whilst it is turning.
1.8 Place the wood between the centres and
lock the tailstock.
1.9 Move the rotating centre into the wood by
turning the tailstock hand wheel. Ensure the
centres are “seated” into the wood, into the
holes made in steps 5 and 6 above.
Rotate the wood by hand whilst turning the
13
1.2 Draw diagonal lines on each end to locate
the centres.
1.3 On one end, make a saw cut approximately
2mm deep on each diagonal line. This is
for the spur centre.
1.4 The other end is the rotating centre. Place
the point of the centre on the wood where
the diagonal lines cross.
1.5 Drive the centre into the wood. Use a
wooden mallet or a plastic hammer, but put
a piece of wood on the end of the centre
to protect it.
1.6 Remove the rotating centre and drive the
spur centre into the other end of the wood.
Make sure the spurs are in the saw cuts.
Remove the spur centre.
1.7 Make sure the centres and the hole in the
spindle and the tailstock spindle are clean.
Insert the spur centre into the headstock
and the rotating centre into the tailstock
and tap them in lightly with a piece of wood.
DO NOT DRIVE THEM IN.
Wooden Mallet
or
tailstock hand wheel.
5.10 Adjust the tool rest so that it is approximately
1/8" away from the corners of the wood and
1/8" above the centre line.
Lock the tool rest base and the tool rest.
5.11 Consult the speed chart. Note that a 50mm
square turning, up to 455mm long, should
run at 838 RPM for “roughing”. Check and
adjust the drive belt if necessary.
IMPORTANT. ALWAYS rotate the wood by hand
to guarantee that the corners do not strike the
tool rest, and that the indexing pin is not
engaged.
Fig. 12
Fig. 14
Fig. 13
Fig. 15