Wood Pen Pro

[keithbyrd]

I just bought the Wood Chuck Pen Pro and was very excited to try it. I turned 4-5 blanks - nothing special - all wood. Last night I turned a birdseye maple blank and I got a lot of chatter and squealing sounds. I couldn't believe it was dull already but I turned the tip to a new side and it was much better - still get some squealing/scraping sound part of the time.
IS this sound normal? Should the carbide tip last longer than 4-5 blanks?

 

[Mapster]

That is normal, yet not normal... The carbide tip should last many more blanks than that, but the chatter is a relatively normal occurance. The carbide tips in my experience have lasted about 25 pens (acrylic, corian, wood, metal) per edge before even showing signs of any dullness. The main reason I have to turn the insert is because of chips. If I catch it just right on a bushing or a square corner I can chip part of the carbide.

The chatter and squealing is usually a rigidity problem. I had mandrel poblems and it caused lots of squealing and chattering. Another thing is vibration of the tube. If you have a tube that is only supported by the bushings (not 7mm) that causes the tube to vibrate also creating the sounds. The woodchuck puts a lot of stress on the mandrel and lathe, so you should check your mandrel and such to make sure they are functioning properly. There is a learning curve, you will soon learn the best ways to cut certain materials as well as the proper pressure to apply

 

[pianomanpj]

Consider turning between centers. The blank is rigidly supported and will not deflect. Both hard and soft materials will turn without any chatter.