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I was asked in another thread why I'd chosen the Ultima (medium version) over the Munro (original, large version). Well I actually didn't, I chose both :) . Here's why, with a few thoughts on each. I've had the Munro for about 4 years now but it always had a few shortcomings for me- 1) it's...

I use a thermostatically controlled oil radiator. It works well and because of the all-round 5cm thick rock wool in walls, floor and ceiling once it's up to temperature it maintains heat pretty well. If I need a quick blast of heat then I sometimes just turn on the Camvac - it's exhaust vent is...

I forgot to say - last time (and probably in future as well) I drilled out the pith on the slice. I wasn't going for the off-set effect of the lid, rather a central hole with a raised lip. I've plenty of logs to go at and the new Sorby Medium Ultima to test :) so I may well be doing lots of...

Pretty much always end grain and mostly from a full log/branch. Most are at least 12cm diameter. Latest one (currently on the lathe) is about 16 I think. I'll try another and take a thicker slice off the end (plenty to play with as it's close to 35cm). Thanks Duncan

A great looking piece Mark. I have quite a few of similar form and I really like it. I was wondering - are you working with dry wood? I mostly hollow wet (or sometimes slightly damp) wood and the odd time that I've taken a slice off the end to make a lid the slice had dished considerably when...

I installed one last night that appears to work really well - Alarm Clock Plus (free version) Amongst other things it lets you set it so that to switch off or snooze and alarm you must correctly answer a maths question of selected difficulty. You can also select how many questions you have to...

I just use the regular rectangular steel legs that were designed for the DVR lathe. I often wonder about building something more substantial that I can add weight to but the stand I have has several advantages- 1)I can put a dustbin under the lathe and collect shavings as they fall, 2)I suspend...

I also recommend Multistar Super 32 Live Centre. Either buy the full set or just the base unit and whichever bits you need.

Constable Woodcrafts have some 38mm colt bits. A bit pricey at £33 but I like mine a lot.

I'd usually say slow speed. They're not your standard Forstner, but I was surprised when my Colt cutter turned up and the packaging said to run it at between 750 and 1250 (or perhaps it was 1500). Usually I'd have gone for 500 tops.

Unless mixed something the Thien is different as it has a level below the lid to help stop debris getting sucked to the extractor.

I built a Thien Separator for use with my Camvac. I use it to collect sanding dust, chips and shavings from turning. It works well and pretty much no chips or shavings get through to the Camvac. Fairly easy to make - I used my lathe for the circular parts.

I've bought 2.5" from this Ebay store in the past 100mm is £7.50 per m and postage is £5 for 1st m + £1 per subsequent m Don't know how it compares with other manufacturers but it's worked well for me

I've never made bracelets so my tools are mainly aimed at bowls, hollow forms and the odd bit of spindle turning. Things I wouldn't be without:- 1/2" bowl gouges. I have 3 ground to different profiles, 1.1/4" roughing gouge for large blanks, sanding pads to allow power sanding. I use Hegner...

This is usually a problem caused by excessive dust inside the headstock. As well as cleaning the sensors it's also a good idea to stick a vacuum in where you can or blow air through the headstock from the back and from the front (through the small opening near the bed). If you can get it...

This new texturing tool from Henry Taylor was mentioned on the GMC website a few days ago. Looks like pretty straightforward way to add texture. Not sure how much it costs.

Just a thought on things to check: does the vibration occur when the sanding drum is removed? does it occur when there's something else on the shaft eg. drill bit or sanding pad? do you get vibration if the sanding drum is fitted straight into the tool?

Something else you should do :- before every session check that the anti kick-back/inertia brake is working. At the end of the training course which I did they gave a demo of how effective this is at stopping kick-back very quickly. Never use a saw without it or where it is damaged or where it...

I use a home-made mix of beeswax and carnauba wax. Whatever finish is applied the rattle will be stuck in the mouth and the finish will likely deteriorate. Does this happen to the same extent with Chestnut Finishing Oil/liquid paraffin?

I posted the same question on the GMC magazine website a while back and got no definite answer. In the end didn't make a grinder from Yew and I'm still wondering what to do with the blank that I found in the shed - it's the perfect size for a grinder