Beautiful sunny day here in south central Pennsylvania. Even with the sun, the temperatures barely got above freezing. A sure sign winter isn't far away.

 

 

Our Patriot Turners-

@Gerald received quite the honors this week. Not only was one of his turnings selected by the American Association of Woodturners as the turning of the week; they are also publishing one of Gerald's turning tips! 

 

We can certainly see why this one was chosen! Here's a link to Gerald's post. Please offer him your congratulations-

 

 

@John Morris gave us a heads up on a tutorial from Woodcraft Magazine. Woodcraft has a large library of projects submitted by readers. These are made available to everyone. 

 

There is a downloadable PDF file available, too. 

 

 

Notice Carl Johnson's use of those great Easy Wood Tools!!

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up-

 

It's a little far in the future, but if you are in the Louisville, KY area, keep this date in mind. When more info is available, I'll update the event.

 

 

For The Newbies-

Mike Peace has a two part video demonstrating how to turn a gavel. These can be a welcome gift for anyone involved with public meetings. Making one from a significant piece of wood can make it even more special.

 

 

The second part is linked from Mike's channel.

 

 

 

Expand Your Horizons-

A turning conundrum- how to sign you work? Etching pen, woodburning, sharpie? M. Saban-Smith discusses his method in this short video- 

 

 

 

New Turning Items-

I stumbled across this site today. Although the equipment being sold isn't a "new invention", it looks like their take on quality is something to be respected-

https://www.theokspindoctor.com/

 

 

 

 

Everything Else-

Over the weekend, I managed to get all of the new lathe pieces from the pickup to the basement. Moe, Larry and Curly would have been proud! Thank goodness for levers, inclined planes and staged lifting. 

 

Of course nothing ever goes as planned. Positioning of equipment and storage needed to be re-thought and re-arranged. 

 

One of the first things I needed to do was to modify some of my most used jigs to fit onto the larger lathe. This lathe has a 16" swing (old one was 14") and the distance between the ways is wider. I raised the jigs so that they set at the proper elevation to be centered on the horizontal axis of the head/tailstock. I got lucky as I had scraps the exact thickness required.

 

 

 

I also did some housekeeping and begrudgingly parted with some old jigs for project that I'll probably never do again- at least until after the garbage goes on Friday.

 

Couldn't wait any longer-

 

 

 

It Works! Love how quiet this lathe is!!! Even my old welding shop tool rests fit, although the post could be a little longer.

 

After reading the manual, I believe I'll need to find a more convenient place to plug it in. The electronic speed control is sensitive to voltage surges and Jet recommends unplugging the lathe when not in use. I looked at the price of 3 pole disconnects- a little salty.

 

 

Safe turning

 

I see your itch got scratched.  

Thanks for the post Lew, I could not have been more surprised.

 

Glad you finally got it in place and put together. Looks good in that spot. When I got my PM a friend suggested unplugging it when not in use , so my plug is just to the left above my headstock and I hang a reminder tab over the light switch so I do not forget.

Congrats on the new lathe and getting it set up.  You mentioned how quiet it is.  I know from my own experience what that means to you.  What a difference that makes.

Another wonderful thread that I am saving for another cold, windy or rainy day.  Thank you, Lew.  

Nice to see your up and running.

 Lew, maybe this would help. Install a four square box with a raised surface switch cover and then fed your receptacle from the switch. 

 Leviton MS303-DS 30 Amp 600 Volt, Three-Pole,

 Three Phase AC Motor Starter, Suitable as Motor Disconnect, Toggle, Industrial Grade

27.00 @ amazon

 

17 hours ago, lew said:

The electronic speed control is sensitive to voltage surges and Jet recommends unplugging the lathe when not in use. I looked at the price of 3 pole disconnects- a little salty.

 

How bad can it be.  Cost me almost $300 to replace the drive in mine.  I feel it is better to unplug.  I have seen electric jump gaps.

17 hours ago, lew said:

The electronic speed control is sensitive to voltage surges and Jet recommends unplugging the lathe when not in use.

...Might want to consider a surge suppressor as well, just in case you take a surge while using it.

@Woodbutcherbynight Thanks! Yeah, finally starting to feel normal again!

 

@Gerald, @DuckSoup and @HandyDan! Thank You! I found enough stuff in my electrical supplies to make a short extension cord. That'll make connecting/disconnecting much easier. I really like that Leviton switch. It may be in my future. Thanks for the link to it!

 

@Larry Buskirk Thanks! I'll have to look thru my computer supplies!

 

@FlGatorwood Than You!

I like that gavel bit...looks like a nice way to turn a wood mallet, too.

Lew - wonderful set-up and a beautiful lathe.  Enjoy!

@Jim from Easy Wood Tools Thank You! I'm finally finishing up the rearrangement of stuff. Now if I can just remember where everything is now located!!

Well deserved and I know that you'll get the use out of it that you want!! Quite an upgrade from the old lathe!!

@FrederickH Thank You! One thing I'm amazed at is how quite it is!

38 minutes ago, lew said:

@FrederickH Thank You! One thing I'm amazed at is how quite it is!

Just don't forget to turn it off when you're finished for the day.

34 minutes ago, FrederickH said:

Just don't forget to turn it off when you're finished for the day.