Wednesday's Wisdom For Woodturners March 21, 2018

[lew]

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

[Gene Howe]

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

[Chips N Dust]

Great Save there, Lew!

Another awesome Weekly Post too.

[Steve Krumanaker]

Nice post and nice save Lew!!

 

Steve

[Gerald]

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

[Grandpadave52]

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.

[HandyDan]

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.

[lew]

@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!