mudman
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Another thread in a forum far far away, prompted me to have a go at oval turning last night. It was really fun and I'd recommend everyone with a lathe has a go.
Only using some old scrap pine as I was fully expecting to produce scrap but very instructive as an exercise.
Started with a piece that I turned to round and then off-centred one end only by about half the radius. Ran the tool along the piece as if I was rounding it off and then moved the centre to the other side of the original centre (does that make sense) and repeated the cut. This resulted in what would make a good lump hammer shaft with an oval end that becomes progressively 'less' oval as you go to the other end.
Next I tried a screwdriver handle shape. Turned the shape in the round and then moved both centres as before. This time I only removed wood from the 'handle' bit of the wood leaving the part to receive the tang round. Re-centred to the third point and finished the shaping. This resulted in a very nice shape that fitted the hand quite nicely.
Although I did only produce firewood, I was very impressed with the method and I think that with some practise that it is not a difficult technique to learn.
In the other thread:
I don't doubt that there is some sort of mathematical method for determining the sort of offset to use but I think that it is probably a case for trial and error and experience. You probably noticed that the degree of 'ovalness' is related to how far apart the two outer centres are, the further apart they are, the more oval it becomes.
Great fun though creating something that definitely not round off of the lathe.
Only using some old scrap pine as I was fully expecting to produce scrap but very instructive as an exercise.
Started with a piece that I turned to round and then off-centred one end only by about half the radius. Ran the tool along the piece as if I was rounding it off and then moved the centre to the other side of the original centre (does that make sense) and repeated the cut. This resulted in what would make a good lump hammer shaft with an oval end that becomes progressively 'less' oval as you go to the other end.
Next I tried a screwdriver handle shape. Turned the shape in the round and then moved both centres as before. This time I only removed wood from the 'handle' bit of the wood leaving the part to receive the tang round. Re-centred to the third point and finished the shaping. This resulted in a very nice shape that fitted the hand quite nicely.
Although I did only produce firewood, I was very impressed with the method and I think that with some practise that it is not a difficult technique to learn.
In the other thread:
Alf":1hjhvxt3 said:I don't have the required mathematical mind to work out what off-set to use given the length of the blank, so I guessed. Badly.Anyone? Is there a solution, or just a matter of practice and experience...
I don't doubt that there is some sort of mathematical method for determining the sort of offset to use but I think that it is probably a case for trial and error and experience. You probably noticed that the degree of 'ovalness' is related to how far apart the two outer centres are, the further apart they are, the more oval it becomes.
Great fun though creating something that definitely not round off of the lathe.