Whenever I take the live center off and try to use my 4 jaw chuck the bowl moves just a little , but causes a bad vibration. I checked where the jaws tighten around the tenon and there is a slight gap I can't seem to get rid of( about the thickness of a playing card in some areas. I just realized that I turned this piece with the grain running longways ( parallel with the length of my lathe ) , could this be my problem and why is it that you aren't supposed to turn it this way?) I'm obviously a newbie to bowl turning and will appreciate all good advice. Thanks in advance,

      Urbano.

What is the make and model of the lathe you are using?  Bad bearings can make the bowl move with the tail stock removed and some lathes are just noted for this, thus the make and model request.

You say you are removing the live center. Are you reversing the bowl at this time or is the chuck already in place?

Hi, welcome to the forum. Really suggest you go ahead and register and repost this in the turning forum. More likely to find help there. Could be any number of reasons for your vibration, pictures are always good when asking for advice or help. As for grain orientation, you can turn a bowl any way you want. There are reasons not to turn end grain but it's not impossible. Some woods actually work better in that orientation, Norfolk Island Pine is nearly always turned end grain.

 

Steve

Thanks for the replies. I just tried to sign up. It insisted on an invitation code and then refused me when I placed a question mark? 

My lathe is a grizzly, I don't remember the model, but I think it is 8520. On the first 2 bowls I turned I didn't have this problem( but, they were both cedar and smaller this one is walnut and 3 x as long, approx 12")

I reversed the bowl after turning the tenon.

Thanks again for the replies

sign up by going to http://thepatriotwoodworker.com/

I sent a message to the administrator about the sign up problem. Hopefully he can fix it.

 

I've had problems on occasion when reversing the bowl from center to chuck. Especially if it is a larger bowl. Sometimes, there is enough difference when clamping the chuck to the blank that it is off center a little. I always bring the tail stock up and crank it into the end of the blank even though I'm going to hollow that end. It helps keep things aligned while I start the process. Another thing you can do is keep the tenon, used for the chuck, short enough that it doesn't quite bottom out in the chuck. This allows the bowl blank to set on the chuck jaws. Also make the tenon's diameter small enough that the chuck is almost closed when tightened thus providing more contact between the jaws and the tenon.

 

Let us know if you continue to have trouble signing up.

To echo what Lew told you . When you cut the tenon it should not go all the way to the bottom of the chuck. The shoulder on the tenon (this is a flat on the bottom of the bowl where the tenon ends) should be flat all the way around and be totally flat against the chuck. There should be no clear "gap" . This gap will cause vibration and tenon failure.....or bowl launch.

 

End grain turning is not a no no but is harder to do than side grain. End graing turning means you car cutting end grain as the hollow of the bowl.

The lathe is a grizzly G0584. I bought it used but it was supposed to be hardly ever used. It seemed in excellent condition and has seemed to work fine until I started this bowl. I'm about to give up on it. I took it off the chuck and put it back on with the live center and I can't get it to turn true. I use a marker and about 3/4's of it touches the marker, and no matter how much I remove,it continues to leave one portion low. I'm not even looking for a solution anymore, I'm just kind of venting because this seems illogical. Wouldn't it even out even If I had mounted it a tiny bit off center? 

Anyway Im gonna see if I can join yet. Ya'll have a good day

I think I'm finally signed in, I'll know after I post this

Thanks, I posted this over on the woodturners site

1 hour ago, oljpj said:

Thanks, I posted this over on the woodturners site

Glad you were able to sign up! Looking forward to seeing the bowl you are turning!