Lathe speed question....

[MatthewZS]

Generally speaking if you're applying a CA finish the lathe should be run at a very low speed during the application of the multiple coats right? I don't yet have variable speed and I think I've been forgetting/getting lazy and running fast enough to scrub the CA off the blank at the same time I'm putting it on.


Sometimes the finish comes out great (luck/chance?) but sometimes I'll put on 6 or 7 coats and when I finish it just looks like some of the blank has NO CA at all!

And sorry, this is with BLO + CA.

Thanks!

 

[oxx44]

6 or 7 coats and when I finish it just looks like some of the blank has NO CA at all

Are you using thin CA?
I put my first 3 coats with thin and then I do 10 of med. It creates a real good build up so when you MM it looks like acrylic. This is just what I do by no means this is the perfect way. Everybody seems to have there own way that works for them. I tried about 10 different techniques before I discovered what worked for me. And I do not use BLO.

 

[workinforwood]

I do not use BLO either, and I would apply CA at low speed so as not to be wearing it.

 

[oxx44]

Sorry....Yes. Forgot to answer your main ?. I have a old lathe. 4 speed manual. I set it to the slowest speed possible to avoid CA flying all over the shop and on me or near by Basset Hounds.

 

[andyk]

When doing CA on a running lathe make sure to wear safety glasses. Would be a real PITA to glue your eye shut. Someone in my turning club experienced this issue...

 

[mbroberg]

I apply CA/BLO at around 1800 RPM. The method I use is William Young's. If you go to you Tube and search for him you can see his video.

 

[DurocShark]

With William Young's method (which I use as well), too slow causes the paper towel to shred, too high causes the paper towel to shred.

The trick is finding the right speed. On my 46-700 about halfway is right (supposedly 1000rpm.) Well, it used to be until fall came. Now I'm looking for the right speed again.

 

[TellicoTurning]

I apply CA at about 500 rpms on my 1014... I don't use BLO except occasionally when I need to pop up a grain or something... I only use Medium for a finish... about 10 coats. also don't use paper towels to apply... too much CA lost soaked into the towel... I use the foam sheets that come wrapped around electronics when you buy new computer, stereo or such.... I've save all those from previous purchases since it's unlikely to get anything new now on SS.... cut into 1 x 2 inch strips, I have enough to last rest of the life. I've applied CA at faster speeds, but mostly it just slings off the tube when I do.... I have a line of CA running up the front of my turning smock and face shield where I've done that.

 

[ToddMR]

I also run my lathe at 500 rpm on the Jet 1014. I use blue shop towels and use 2 coats thin ca to seal, and then 5-6 coats med. I then speed up to about 1200 RPM to do the MM sanding stopping and sanding length wise in between grits. Also I don't use the first two grits as they are too course. I start with the black or 1200 grit and go up from there.

 

[HSTurning]

CA is bad for anyone/ anything to inhale. I would try to keep them out of the shop when you are using the CA and use a respirator yourself.
How many basset's do you have? We have a 9 month old female. Its my second basset.

Sorry....Yes. Forgot to answer your main ?. I have a old lathe. 4 speed manual. I set it to the slowest speed possible to avoid CA flying all over the shop and on me or near by Basset Hounds.

 

[HSTurning]

I used to turn at top speed and now turn one down from the top. I didnt like the sound of the lathe at top speed. Either way I put the CA on at the same speed. I am to lazy to change speeds so its always set at the same speed.

 

[Tim]

I'm surprised that I have not seen someone else post about the process that PSI has put on YouTube. Applying CA with the lathe off. I had problems like many other people with the lathe on, BLO or not, etc. Then I saw this and have not looked back. My CA finish pens look like they are acrylic. I have also been using the 3 wheeled plastic finishing buffer from PSI.

Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqzXtpzvw0A

 

[sbwertz]

CA is bad for anyone/ anything to inhale. I would try to keep them out of the shop when you are using the CA and use a respirator yourself.

I use a dust collector hood behind my lathe (about $30 from Rockler). It picks up all the fumes, dust, small chips, etc. I have a Jet with the big canister top (not the bag top.) Without it the CA makes my eyes water!

I took off the clamp that it is supposed to be mounted with and replaced it with a BIG magnet. Works like a charm. Easy to move and adjust and does a great job on all but the big chips that get thrown directly at me or collect in the gouge when roughing. Even works for turning small bowls or pen/business card holders.


Sharon

 

[Rmartin]

I can't drive 55.

I use the highest speed my little Jet mini will turn.

 

[MatthewZS]

I had tried both ways, thin CA first, then without thin CA. I've of course since started slowing down my lathe PITA or not. Something I DO think I did to myself is when I first discovered CA finishes, and then CA BLO finished, I scrambled excitedly around looking at videos and reading articles then ran to the shop to try it. Problem is I've ended up with a process that's a mishmush of half a dozen different people's techniques and I think just about everytime I do it I'm doing it slightly differently. Soon as I recover from this flood damage (central texas) I'm planning to just line up a bunch of blanks and other supplies and procedurally come up with a process that works. I thank everyone for the info they provided

 

[alphageek]

I can't drive 55.

I use the highest speed my little Jet mini will turn.

Ditto.... Me too, but it all depends on exactly HOW you apply .. I use blo and ca in very small amounts on the paper towel.

 

[PenMan1]

I apply CA at 3900 rpms. I apply it at that speed because that is as fast as my lathe will run. If it ran at 4500 rpms, I would apply it at that speed.

NOW, with that said, there are a lot of dangers with applying CA at that speed. First, you waste a lot of CA. Secondly, I have actually glued my tie (long, funny story), and both hands (embarrassing a preacher in the process) to the lathe.

I use only Monty's CA Medium (300 cure speed-slow) for finishing. It could well be my application techinique, but I have found that the faster I apply the CA, the smoother my finish turns out. I also move my hand back and forth across the blank faster than a 15 year old boy watching a porno film. I would never attemp this with thin CA.

When you find a technique that works for you, stick with it. William Young and Russ Fairfield both have tried and true techniques that work for most folks. Watch those videos to create your own technique.

Good luck!

 

[ROOKIETURNER]

Wow, so many ways to get the same result. I also was one that wanted to learn CA finishing. Started with Russ Fairfield's method, but had mixed results. I tried the PSI method and the finish was uneven. I found that BLO didn't add much to the mix. It only made the process longer. I run my lathe at 1800 RPM no matter what I am doing: Turning, Sanding, CA, or finishing.

-Sand most wood to 600 some to 1500,
-Denatured alcohol (light) to raise the grain if needed
-Med CA applied with a bathroom paper towel (the ones that are made to go in the dispenser that you pull one and the next self feeds). If you are slinging CA, no matter the speed, then you are being to aggressive. Feed the CA in slow enough that it grabs the blank and worl it up and down with a rapid back and forth motion until the CA smooths out a bit.
-Spray with accelerator
-Repeat process 8 times
-Wet sand from 1500-12k (water only)

A shine like acrylic and very fast. I have not had an issue with this process to date.

 

[Shannon]

I run at full speed when I apply CA. I think my mandrel is a little out of round and the high speed seems to even things out. I apply this to a paper towel and a quick swipe on the blank followed by accelerator. I put on about 10 - 15 coats in about 5 min. I'm sure most of the CA is left on the paper towel.