Quartlow, I already sent you this in the Private messege. But I am so proud of myself that I had to share with everyone else.

I was out in the shop the other night. I had to make some nesting bowls for my pigeons. I sharpened my tools, and freehand grinded the bowl gouge. I turned 8 5-7" diameter x 1 1/2 " deep, bowls in like 2 hours, and didn't have any catches!! The last time I try hollowing a bowl, it few accross the room, so I was really scared and nervous when I started turning the other night. But after I got going, I got some confindence, and felt good. I think the problem was with the grind I was getting with the wolverine jig/with fingernail attachment, it was leaving some nasty ears on the corners. But when I free handed it, I could roll the tool as I pushed it up the wheel, taking care of those ears.

Now the nest bowls weren't nothing fancy, (they will be covered in pigeon shit in a few days anyway), but I think I'm getting the hang of hollowing a little bit.

Now it is starting to get fun, but I need to figure something out for a toolrest for outboard turning, the extension arm that comes with the lathe, has way to much flex in it, and it feels like it will snap with a slight catch. I can only turn about 8-9" comfortably on my Jet 1236, before it starts getting close to the base.



Later,
Rob