steady rest/stabilizer

[Mr Buttons]

Hi,

I have been having some vibration problems hollowing out bowls etc, i have seen a few different stabilizers online but can't find anywhere in the uk that sells them online.

I am using a tyme avon lathe and a supernova2 chuck, being new to woodturning any advice/suggestions would be welcome.

cheers

 

[CHJ]

Not a difficult item to make up yourself with some skateboard or rollerblade wheels.

Not seen them used for a 'Bowl' though, only normally used for long pieces protruding a great distance from the chuck.

If you are getting chatter or vibration turning a conventional bowl I suspect there is a more fundamental problem with your machine such as bearings/adjustment or tool choice and technique.

Can you post an image of a typical piece you are having a problem with, mounted on the lathe.

 

[Rhossydd]

Stabilisers are usually used when turning between centres not for bowls.

If the problem occurs on every job you try, you may have bearing failure and will need to investigate further.
More likely is that the blanks and WIP aren't balanced and are generating the vibration. Making sure the lathe is tightly bolted down onto a really solid base is a vitally important first step.
Once you've rounded off the initial blank things should calm down a lot, but it may take a while with careful light cuts to round things off properly.
Ensure that the work piece is really secure on the chuck (or other mounting). You can smooth things out carefully then if the mounting isn't secure one heavy pass or maybe a small dig can knock everything out of balance again.
It's also worth remembering that some pieces, natural edged work or with burrs in, may never be completely in balance anyway. So you may have to live with some vibration even if the lathe set up is perfect.
The Avon is a pretty good lathe (I've got one myself and have spent the morning fighting an out of balance blank) but make sure everything is tightened up very well when working with out of balance work, vibration can make taking accurate cuts to round things off more difficult. Keep rests as close to the work as possible to reduce any overhangs that allow any vibration to be amplified.

 

[Mr Buttons]

Thanks for the advice. I will take some pics tomorrow evening.

Its happening mostly when i am hollowing out the outer rim, the blanks have all been fully rounded and the outside shaped by this point, it seems to pull it off center slightly, i don't have the same problem when working on pieces fixed between centers. could it be the grind angle on the gouge?
the lathe is well secured on a purpose built bench (went for overkill on the bench).

 

[user 17340]

I had something similar on the outboard side of my ML8. It only seemed to happen when the tool was pushing towards and parallel to the spindle axis e.g. gouge entry when starting to hollow a bowl. It was smooth when cutting across the face of a bowl or platter.
It turned out there was a little play in the spindle. I was able to slightly tighten the collar where the spindle goes through the bearings and this fixed my issue. Good luck with your's.
Mike

 

[chipmunk]

Well, comments aside, Oneway make them...

http://www.oneway.ca/steadyrests/bowl_steady.htm

This may give you some clues when making your own or you could call the Toolpost http://www.toolpost.co.uk/ who are the UK distributors for Oneway.

HTH
Jon

 

[Spindle]

Hi

Are you presenting the tool just above the centre line when you are hollowing it out? If not give it a try.

Do you periodically check the chuck tension?

All wood 'moves' as it is machined and internal forces are relieved, this is particularly evident in bowls, are you misinterpreting this 'normal' characteristic?

Regards Mick