Advice on a turning a lamp

[Gitface]

Hi All

I'm about to have an attempt to turn a lamp and was considering ways to hold the base while I turn a spigot on it. The lamp is been turned from a log that I'd been given and had started to split. so having split it down the split I have no flat surfaces to start.

I've roughted out the bits ready to turn.

I was thinking of using a screw chuck to hold the base to start since the hole will be drilled through for the cable. I've had a look around and can't seem to find any plans that deal with homemade ones. Current plan is to laminate three pieces of MDF and tap the first two for my head stock thread then screw through the third with the screw.

My question is what size screw to use and how long?

Also am I better gluing the screw into the block or will a small pilot hole and screwed through normally hold?

For the stem I'll need to drill a hole down the centre to pase the cord down. How do people do this? One option would be to rip it down the centre, create the channel and glow back together, but this could spoil the lines.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Mark............

 

[wizer]

Mark I just cam across a series of online videos that may help. I've not viewed them yet but it says they cover the whole process:

http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodvision/?lid=1339217302

If you scroll down in the woodturning section there are four titles on turning a lamp.

HTH

 

[Paul.J]

Mark.
If you are using the half log as your base and are rounding it,i would find the center mark the dia on it and cut to a round on a bandsaw or just cut the corners off.
Hold it between centers on the lathe,round it,and form a tenon at the tailstock end using a bowl gouge.
Then mount onto your chuck and turn away.
The hole down the middle of the post is usually made by using a shell Auger which fits through the hole in your tailstock.
Failing that you will have to do what Wizer done and split it down the middle and use a router to form the hole.
Or you can find the center and use the longest drill you have and drill from either end,depending how tall the post is of course.
HTH.

 

[TobyB]

I have done them by rough-turning the base between centres and forming a tenon - then mount the base in a chuck and form the base properly and hollow out the centre socket for the stem to fit into (including sanding/finishing) - then reverse-mount on the chuck with the jaws expanded into the hollowed centre socket to cut away the tendon and sand/finish the bottom base. The stems I have turned between centres, using sandpaper to get the bottom to fit tightly into the socket already made in the base, and I have one of those hollow tails and a lamp auger to drill the centre out for the wire. I have tried those screw-in lamp sockets, but have never got them tight and/or straight ... do you need a tap to cut a thread first? I've been happier with the 2 or 3 small screws fittings - but you have to have a broader top for those.

 

[loz]

pics pics pics pics !