Chatter

[solartom]

Hi there!
I'm new to this forum, so please be gentle on me. My question is - when I'm turning acrylics, I seem to get alot of "chatter" with whatever tool I'm using, and alot of "chatter marks" on the blanks that I'm turning. It doesn't seem to matter what type of tool I'm using. It takes alot of sanding to get rid of these marks, and eventually I'll get a great looking product, but I'm getting really tired of this. I don't seem to have this problem with most woods. The mandrel and bushings are running true, so obvioulsy I must be doing something basically wrong. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
TIA
Tom

 

[timdaleiden]

With Acrylics, you can't introduce the sharp side of the tool to the material. Try using the other side of the gouges, or change the angle of attack with the skew. You will then get long ribbons of material coming off, rather than chunks. Don't be too aggressive either.

 

[woodscavenger]

Do you use a diamond hone on your skew?

 

[arehrlich]

Very important to keep the tool rest as close as you can to the blank. Too far away and you get a lot of chatter.

 

[jdavis]

Close tool rest and sharp tools.

 

[swm6500]

I seem to have better luck going slow and easy.