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Hi Guys I have a bowl I finished some time ago, but have always been a bit dissatisfied with it. I wanted to remodel the bowl interior, so today I put it back on my scroll chuck, and set about changing it. It went ok, but there was a very slight wobble as it rotated on the chuck. This didn’t...

Cheers, Phil.

Hi Guys, Thanks for your replies and advice. Robbo, i’ve checked out the offers at Yandles, and it seems their price for a ‘bare’ SC4 is about the same as RP’s, but the package deal is better. I may pursue that one. Phil, do the Versachuck/ Axminster carriers fit the SC4 ok, and allow for a...

i have a Record Power SC4 scroll chuck, and want to buy a second chuck. I have considered two; another SC4 , or an Axminster SK 114. There is a massive difference in price between these. The Record is bare, I.e. has no jaws, and would cost £99, plus £15 for a thread adapter, plus postage, about...

Two really attractive bowls. I always agonise over what finish to use. There are so many variants to choose from.

Cheers, boys. Lots of great information and advice. Thanks. D.

Thanks, guys. I’ve had a look at Martin Sabah Smith’s You Tube video. He says that he uses the diamond belt most of the time, only using the other grits when reshaping tool profiles. As has been noted, the cost of a diamond belt is very high (I often think that turning gear manufacturers when...

Hi Guys, Does anyone use the Sorby sharpening system? I’d like to know if the diamond belt is worth the money. Does it run cooler than the other types of belts, does it bring an edge quicker, and does it mean that there is not much need for the other belt grits? Cheers D

CHJ That’s correct. When I swing the platform away and put a level on the base, it is not level (poor machining?), and therefore not square with chuck (and any drill bit in it).This occurs even when the press is on a cast iron machined flat plate. It’s not out that much, maybe a couple of mm...

Thanks again, guys I think the alignment problem can be worked round, but it’s not ideal. I have put a level across the lathe bed as Kim suggested, and it is slightly out of level. I intended to try to adjust the feet to level it up, but, with one thing and another, I’ve just not got round to...

CHJ and Lazarus. I’ve got a Jacobs chuck and appropriate pen blank jaws, but I have a bit of a problem with tail and headstock alignment. (See previous thread). In any case, having spent £60 on the vice, i’d like to be able to use it. D

Hi Guys I have a Record Power 16B bench top drill press. It’s column is too short (13’’) to get a pen blank vice under any drill bit longer than about 5’’. The bigger bits, say, 13mm, are too long. I need a press with a longer column. It has occurred to me that I might be able to get round...

Hi Pete I agree with Phil that it is a good idea to go along to a local woodturning club before you start buying kit. That way you will be able to decide what you want to do in woodturning. For example, some turners concentrate on face plate turning, while others like to make pens, and others...

I have a JSP active powered face shield. I find it comfortable to wear. If buying such a face shield it is important that the shield/visor is capable of protecting you from impacts from stuff coming off the lathe. The JSP comes in two forms, and you should buy the version designated IP. It...

Thanks, Kim and Woodbloke, I have an Axminster alignment tool which I have used to try to sort this problem out. It seems to work ok for most issues, but not for fine point alignment. Maybe I’m not holding my mouth right! Kim, it’s interesting that you suggest adjusting the legs on the lathe...

Hi J-G I wouldn’t ever consider trying to turn a pen blank on a mandrel unsecured the tailstock end. As you say, that would be disastrous, if not extremely dangerous. I have the kit to turn blanks between centres, but I think I need a bit more skill and experience to do it successfully. Thanks...

Hi Chad and Lon Thanks for your help. I suppose i’ll have to work round this problem. I do use a trimmer tool to square the ends of blanks/tubes. My mandrel came with a Rotor kit I bought, and I have a tail stock mounted mandrel support. I don’t think the mandrel is bent. I also (in response to...

Thanks, guys The tailstock is clamped by a simple cam device pulling a large washer up against the lathe bed rails. The doesn’t seem to be any mechanism for adjusting it. There is a large locknut that I suppose is there just to hold the washer when the tailstock is unclamped. I tried putting a...

Here’s another one

Hi Guys, I’ve checked the things you suggested. The lathe bed/iron rod eyeball as straight, the deviation remains at any distance/ extension of the quill, and there doesn’t appear to be any debris. I’m going to try uploading a couple of photos to show the problem.