Spindle Turning a Bowl

Sounds a bit strange, but that's almost exactly what I do.  The limitations placed on me by my old Delta 46-204, with its gap bed and short "banjo" (toolrest base) forced me to make some concessions in turning which, in my opinion, have become virtues.   I certainly don't turn as others do, but I don't experience the problems they complain of, either.

I don't stand in the throw zone of the lathe.  My ON/OFF switch has been moved to the middle of the bench, above the swing, and my technique, covered in these pages, keeps me well away from any debris ejected or removed from the turning. I don't wear full face protection after almost 15 years of bowl turning, because nothing's ever come close, and thus I can have what I want for dinner without offending myself.  I don't wear a dust mask, either, unless I'm sanding, and even that, given the placement of the collector, isn't strictly necessary, and is sometimes neglected without staining a Kleenex.

I use the iron tool rest that came with the lathe, largely the 6", and I keep it full down below centerline.  It's got years of use and I think I've filed it three or four times, because I don't give away leverage and let the tools chatter to score it.  The occasional necessary evil of long reach and scraping action is all I have to contend with, though a curved rest and a flat cantilevered scraping rest minimize even that wear and tear.

I use two regular and one Super Nova chuck, mostly equipped with 25/50/and 35mm jaws.  The 25 are extended "pin jaws," and are extremely handy, while the 35mm are tenon-gripping only.  I prefer inside dovetail holds, don't care to turn too thin, though I have a bowl rest to get down to translucent when I care to.  They do everything I care to do, and well.

Last, I sharpen on a slow grinder, seldom hone, and use the bevel of the tool as its own jig, as I learned from Frank Pain's book, and from my carving instructor.  The shearing cuts I use make honing unnecessary.  I'm using the "wrong" tools anyway, according to strict constructionists.  I have made bowls without ever lifting a bowl gouge.

OK, you're warned.  What you see is just the way I work, but it's safe, rapid, and effective, so try it.