Rmartin
Member
I have been working with wood all my life, but until recently, I hadn't used a lathe in, well, forever. I'm a sponge when it comes to the boards and information, and everything I read said to start turning the square blank at low speed and then switch to a higher speed once it is roundish. So, that's what I do. Or did, because I don't do it that way any more.
I have been starting with my lathe at it's highest speed. Using a gouge tool with little or no pressure, I can go up and down the blank with less effort. I have found I do not have to tighten the blanks as much to the shaft. I also don't get the catching a corner of the blank like I did when using a slower speed.
It seems to work for me, but then I'm unconventional in the way I do things. I use a hasp to turn acrylics/resins.
I have been starting with my lathe at it's highest speed. Using a gouge tool with little or no pressure, I can go up and down the blank with less effort. I have found I do not have to tighten the blanks as much to the shaft. I also don't get the catching a corner of the blank like I did when using a slower speed.
It seems to work for me, but then I'm unconventional in the way I do things. I use a hasp to turn acrylics/resins.