by Joseph Voda josephvoda@hotmail.com
My 23 years as an avid hobbyist woodturner, finds me progressing toward demos and instructions for novice ‘turners. In support of this new aspect, I find the use of references from other ‘turners reinforce my own procedural statements with the students.
This article from WOOD magazine is one such item. Lest we older (experienced) ‘turners be fooled, there is more than one tip presented here.
The stated tip:
Use of a Forstner bit matching the diameter of the headstock spindle to center a mating faceplate.
The background tips:
Quality faceplates offer more support and are safer than most drive center options during initial shaping. (Remember to add a safety depth beyond the end of the screws!)
Save your headstock bearings!
Pounding a bit, a four-blade or STEB, drive center into wood with a mallet is always less damaging than pounding wood onto one of these drive options mounted in the headstock shaft.
Avoid using adapters to use larger or smaller drive diameter faceplates on your lathe. They will likely add vibrations and wobble to the set-up.
Never use the tailstock as a ram to force a wood blank onto even a small drive center. (There is always a risk of damaging the quill’s threads.
