Commando blank turning. No tools = no catches (sorry)

[ramaroodle]

I know this will upset the turning purists in the group but I've adopted a technique that has resulted in no catches since I started doing this. I use a....wait for it...... angle grinder with a 3" 80 grit disc or flap disc on it to turn down the bulk of the blank. There is nothing more frustrating than making a segmented, acrylic, or whatever blank and having it explode at some point during the turning process. I feel like I'm cheating on my wife by not using my turning tools but I have not had a single catch or exploded blank since I started doing this. Then I switch to successive grits on a hard block to get it close to the bushing or measurement, then my "normal" (my normal, since everybody has their own) system.

 

[carlmorrell]

I picked up a cheap (less than $50) angle grinder about 2 years ago. Cant believe the things I have used it for.

 

[Alan Morrison]

A few doughty souls have given that technique a go, myself included.
Has had a bit of coverage here in the past.

Flap Disk Turning

After turning a fragile cork and resin blank using an angle grinder with a flap disk I decided to give it a try on a corn cob blank. The only tear out I experienced was the very center of the corn kernels. I packed the centers with corn cob dust and dribbled on the CA glue. The result - judge...

www.penturners.org

 

[SteveJ]

No embarrassment (just hide the other tools so they don't catch you in the act….)

 

[Darios]

Belt sander with 80 grit here.

 

[ramaroodle]

Belt sander with 80 grit here.

Ahhh! OK, so, I'm not a complete hack!!

 

[Dale Parrott]

I've blown up a few of my segmented blanks. I usually feel like it's a sign that I need to refine my skills in gluing and turning. I also believe that you should do what ever works for you and makes your hobby fun. Thanks for sharing and no criticisms here!

 

[Darios]

Ahhh! OK, so, I'm not a complete hack!!

I don't go all the way down. I use it to take the corners off and round it out leaving a few mils or so left. Then on to the carbides.
But the idea is the same. At the very least doing this with the belt sander seems to extend out those times I need to sharpen or replace blades, so there is that.

 

[sorcerertd]

I have also seen this suggested here before, and did try it. I've never seen anything make that big of a mess so fast! I'd say that you need a rather powerful dust collection system for this.

 

[Evilleray]

Thank you! I no longer have to feel I am cheating!!!

 

[ZanderPommo]

Belt sander with 80 grit here

Same, especially when a segmented blank contains metal. I literally did this yesterday.

 

[Displaced Canadian]

I turned my first pen by carving it close to shape with a utility knife, then went to a wood file and finally sandpaper.

 

[ramaroodle]

I turned my first pen by carving it close to shape with a utility knife, then went to a wood file and finally sandpaper.

Sounds like The Flintstones method.

 

[Paul in OKC]

Hey, if it work who needs to know!