While @Cliff and I are sharing the beach in the sunny Antilles, I thought I'd get a head start on today's post.

 

 

 

@Cliff has his vacuum chuck rig set up and running.

 

There are lots of questions and comments about how he made this. Cliff shares his procedures in his post-

 

 

 

@Steve Krumanaker posted images of his second "cryptex". Steve's pictures show some of the internal workings of this clever little device!

 

 

 

@PostalTom asked a question about the usefulness of a lathe that can be operated in the reverse direction. Some suggested this was a nice feature-

 

 

However, I think they may have been referring to using the lathe on this Easter Sunday. More suggestions and comments-

 

 

 

@Gerald, in response to last week's "Wednesday's...", posted a picture of the display shelves he is getting ready for their club's booth. He also added an image of the tulips he make-

 

 

 

Rick Turns added his February list of turning videos on YouTube.

 

 

 

Mike Peace posted a nice little video. He needed to re-turn a baby rattle. Check out how he overcame the problem of holding the rattle.

 

 

 

 

Although we had relatives visiting this past week, I managed to get to the lathe and destroy a piece I was turning-

 

 

I glued the errant piece back on the waste block and sealed the turning with tape and modeling clay-

 

 

Then mixed up some clear Alumilite. I find warming it in the microwave really helps lowers the viscosity so the small bubbles float to the top and it fills the crevices a little better. I need to build a pressure pot. Sure wish I kept the one I used to test underwater gauges when I had a Scuba shop.

 

 

Removed the tape and clay and it's ready to back on the lathe.

 

 

 

 

Safe turning

Just knew you'd save it, Lew. Hope it maintains its integrity the second time around.

Great Save there, Lew!

Another awesome Weekly Post too.

Nice post and nice save Lew!!

 

Steve

Good save on the piece, wonder if you maybe should get into stabilizing wood . Might be easier than blank repair and yes I have done my share of blank repair. Where did you get the idea to use modeling clay? That one alone is the tip of the week

Great recap Lew. Glad to see you were able to save the turning.

Like Gerald said, "The tip of the week is the modeling clay seal and funnel.

You always pick on the difficult pieces of wood to turn.  I like how you find a way to make it work and don't give up.  You manage to end up with some wonderful turnings.  Thanks for another weeks post.

@Gene Howe Thanks! So far it's holding!

 

@Chips N Dust Thank You!

 

@Steve Krumanaker Thanks!

 

@Gerald Thank You! I have considered a vacuum chamber for stabilizing just not sure I'd do enough of it. The modeling clay was just a lucky thought. I used to help a guy who did casting and he had all king of techniques but mostly with wax. I just adapted some of them to the clay.

 

@Grandpadave52 Thanks!

 

@HandyDan Thank you. This one sure has been a challenge!