Length of Lathe
 

Hi Guys,
Is there any tricks for overcoming restrictions bacause of the length of your lathe.

Say I have a lathe which is 100CM between centers but I want to work on something that is longer than this in one piece??


Cheers

B Cunney

Depending on which lathe you have, there may be bed extensions available to lengthen your lathe.

Way way to turn things longer than your lathe allows, is to turn the piece in 2 seperate parts and join them with a round mortise and tenon turned on the ends of each piece. But if the turning is gonna be used for structural purposes this may be a bit dangerous. But say, a 4" diameter post on a 4 post canopy bed should be safe--They are normally turned in 2 pieces and joined together in assembly of the bed.


Later,
Rob

Length of Lathe
 

Hi Rob,
Thanks for this.
What I hand in mind was for example shaping up the handle for a long handled shovel or other implement - so this would ideally need to be turned in one piece for strength.

Do some lathes come with attachments for the tail stock so as one can just thread the workpiece out through it an let it spin, but at the same time maintain it fairly rigidly in place?


Cheers


B Cunney
:)

I suppose it is possible to chuck one end and maybe make an attachment something like shown in the picture. I would make it out of steel, with adjustable arms to get a tight fit around the wood, and good rollers. The steady in the picture only suports one side, I would make the attachment so it supports all sides.

But this will be very dangerous!! You will have to find the excat center to prevent wobbling, and you would want to turn with an extremly slow speed. And make sure the chuck has a very strong hold on the wood.

I can't reccomend this way, as it is not something I have tryed or see done and as far as I know, it is not tested! So proceed at your own discretion and use extreme caution.

Hopefully someone else will post a safer and tested method to accomplish your task. All I can do is help brainstorm on ideas.


Sorry I couldn't be better help,
Rob

Turning longer pc than length of bed
 

I have seen a center attached to a wall near the lathe bed. Center is "live" and is on same height as head stock an is in line with bed. At end of bed is a ball bearing support. I believe this gentleman turned "cannon ball" bed posts. I should allow that the speed was slow-maybe even to a counter shaft for reduction. The danger comes into play if you drive long pc too fast. Trun on one end,reverse position it and turn other end. I have not tried it,read about it in some "finewoodworking" book too. Should work. I'm sure most comsumer lathes are about 36-40",so I know there are ways. Hope this helps.Paul