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I also posted this on the AWGB site: In my opinion Craft Supplies have served the turning community well for many years. They stock a good range of products and in addition they sponsor and support the major competitions by offering superb prizes. I, for one, will support them by continuing...

Yup, I get the same message: The topic or post you requested does not exist Bob

Yes the videos are interesting, but read the comment from Richard which follows. He warns against using what looks like a roughing gouge on bowls, and I totally agree with him. I've never broken a tang, but I've bent one to around 90 degrees, it happened in an instant and was very, very scary...

Hi David, It is good advice to get a lesson or two, but if the budget doesn't allow it, try to find a local club to join (ignore me if you have already). The average club has a wide range of members from other beginners like yourself to people with a great deal of skill and expertise. Its a...

Hi, I agree with Dave C about fuse sizes. If you can get a 1 amp fuse, try that. If it blows, there's no harm done - that's what a fuse is for. Try the next smallest fuse (2 amp?) and so on. Use the smallest fuse that doesn't blow when the lathe is in normal use. That way I think you must...

I have a Vicmarc 175 with swivel head and variable speed. I've fitted a 2HP motor and electronics to replace the original 1HP motor, which was under-powered for the machine. Later models are fitted with 1.5HP as standard. I wouldn't swap it for any other machine I've seen at the same sort of...

Hi Paul, Your setup looks fine. I think you will improve the finish if you sharpen the scraper at an angle of about 45 degrees and then use a fine stone to remove the burr on the upper surface. If you can arrange the scraper so that the bevel is rubbing (angled upwards) and the cutting edge is...

I agree with Tam about why it split and that an even thickness wall would help to prevent it. Wall thickness (not just evenness) is also important. It looks like a fairly chunky vessel and I'm guessing the walls are quite thick. The exposed surfaces of the wall then dry much quicker than the...

Some years ago I constructed a plywood 'barrel' for a water feature in the garden and lined it with fibreglass and resin that I bought at Halfords (Sylglas, or something similar?). Anyway, I still have it and it still holds water without leaking. May be worth a try? Bob

Hi Reg, I agree with Nick. Its not unusual for new woodturners to produce shallow thick-bottomed bowls. The remedy is practice and experience. Don't be afraid to push it a bit. You can take wood down to a few millimetres and it still won't break and, anyway, even if it does, you have to tell...

Reg, Have a look at www.bobchapman.co.uk for earring stands. Details of how to make them are in the April issue of Woodworker & Woodturner if you can locate one. Bob

I changed both belt and bearings on a Union Jubilee a couple of years ago. I took the old bearings out then rang a local bearing firm and quoted the numbers stamped on the bearings. They had one in stock and got me the other by the next day. They also sold drive belts of the correct length. No...

Hi Paul, The foam backed disc pads for power sanding can always be held in your hand instead of the drill. This gives the control of hand sanding but makes the paper much easier to hold and manipulate. Bob

Very nice bowl, Paul. A good design, and well executed.I once had green flecks like these in a piece of Holly, is your wood Holly? It looks like it could be. Bob

Hi Sean, I agree with the advice to buy the best you can afford, but don't forget to look at second-hand stuff if you get the chance. Lathes are very simple machines and assuming the motor works (pretty obvious if not) then about the worst thing that can be wrong is that the bearings are shot...

Thanks Neil, nice to be here. Bob

I'd still remove the pith. Did you know you can encourage spalting? Soak it overnight in water with some ordinary fertiliser added, then wrap it in cling film and leave it for a few weeks. I've only tried it once, but it does work. Anyway good luck with it, whatever. Bob

Hi Paul, You don't say what the timber is but looking at the photos, I wonder whether the line across the timber could be the central pith of the log. The piece to the left (in the top photo) has a similar line and I wondered whether that was the other half. If so, then I would plane it all...