One large step for Taz-kind

[Tazmaniandevil]

Looking at some of the cherry offerings this weekend, this may seem small and insignificant. It is however a massive step forward for me.
I finally managed to buy myself a chuck without SWMBO finding other roads for the money. I bought a Versa-Chuck from Peter at Toolpost having played a bit of eeny meanie with the Versa, Supernova, and Charnwood W830. The criteria were cost, and availability of headstock thread adapters. In the end, the Versa was the most flexible. One factor not to forget too is Peter's "old fashioned" personal service. If I have any criticism of the chuck, it would be the tommy bars supplied are a bit pants. That's easily remedied though.
So back to the cherry bowl.
I cut down a cherry tree last year, and prepped some blanks. This particular piece was popped in the airing cupboard after roughing out, but I didn't pack it away in paper or shavings. It was put in as it was. There are quite a few cracks, most of which have been filled with CA glue and sawdust.
After mounting it on one of my home made gizmos on a face plate, I turned a mortise in the base to mount on the chuck. I'm fairly happy so far, but want to go a little deeper inside. I gave the outside a quick sand with 240-grit and wiped it over with teak oil. Some of the cracks are quite obvious, but I think that's OK - I think it adds to the character.

It is about 6" in diameter by 3" high. The walls are currently about 5/8" and the depth is about 2¼". I would like to see it a uniform ½" or less but don't want to push too far beyond my ability.....

 

[WandrinAndy]

Looks great Taz!

 

[nev]

A nicely shaped 'rustic' bowl.
Even thickness is quite easily done if you have a pair of outside calipers. Turn it much as you have already then decide your thickness at the top edge then work your way in, stopping and measuring every few cuts. Then as you get towards the base of the bowl smooth into a curve leaving a slightly thicker base,( not forgetting that if you used a recess for the chuck you dont cut through it. DAMHIKT )
One thing to be wary of, if its a soft wood it can quite easily be marked by the caliper end. to help prevent this i use a strip or two of duct tape on the outside of the bowl.

 

[gregmcateer]

Lovely job, Taz

 

[woodyturner]

You are doing well Taz by the looks of those cracks in the wood if you are going to go thinner and deeper do so with care mate Id hate to see it split wide open and hit you there is already a lot of centrifugal force being created just by the lathe spinning and sometimes it is best to listen to what the wood is telling you after all 1/8th of an inch thicker isn't a lot but 1/8th of an inch thinner on that bowl with those cracks and the presure of the chuck jaws pushing outwards is a lot good luck whatever you decide to do

 

[Tazmaniandevil]

I filled the cracks with ca glue and took very light passes, and managed to get the walls down to just under the 1/2". The bottom is a tad thinner, especially where the recess is. I'll try to remember to get another photo showing the walls & inside.
My home-made Cap'n Eddie style grinding jig is a great help for keeping the tools nice & sharp when hollowing pieces like this. Not bad for a bit of old desk and some bolts & threaded rod.

 

[woodyturner]

Well done mate look forward to seeing the finished item

 

[Tazmaniandevil]

Cheers man, I'm really beginning to see a difference in my work.

 

[woodturnerEric]

nice first attempt Taz,you`l improve with each one you make,the versa chuck is a great chuck,I`ve had mine for about 7 1/2 yrs now,slowly building up my sets of jaws from different makers,alot of people seem to have had problems with runout on these chucks,but going on the forums recently it seems alot of makes are getting this,so must be the luck of the draw,regards,

Eric.

 

[Tazmaniandevil]

As promised, this is the finished object. (well... I say finished, I think I need to do more sanding)

The cracks are pretty obvious, but I think it kinda adds to the character.
This one shows the walls, and you can just about see the uniform thickness.

Unfortunately it also shows the tool marks in the bottom....... Rome wasn't built in a day though.
And finally a view of the lighter coloured side

To paraphrase Frank Spencer.... "every day I'm getting better & better."

 

[woodyturner]

Well done that was well worth the effort bet your pleased with it

 

[Tazmaniandevil]

I must admit I am pretty chuffed with it. It is by no means perfect, but it is a milestone for me. It gives me a benchmark to work from.