cross vice flattening rings

[stuart johnson]

I agree, cutting segments is almost too easy. We have to remember cutting segments is just a small part of the whole process. We have to design the vessel, create feature rings / segments, turn the fair curve then finish. It is nice to have one step simplified.

 

[martyn]

too right,its a big help indeed, finishing is my bug bare hate it i have great difficulties getting it to a standard i am happy with (i.e. PERFECT)

 

[dovetail]

Just an update on my cross vice and the cutter head that I got from Lee Valley,actually for a metal lathe but works in this vice and brings it to centre.

 

[martyn]

yes that looks sweet miles better, glad you got it sorted have you turned anything interesting with it?

 

[dovetail]

yes that looks sweet miles better, glad you got it sorted have you turned anything interesting with it?

My table saw broke down on me,the shaft that holds the blade on and drive pulley wore out and the pulley flops around, so I am trying to source parts to fix it.So am out of commission for awhile .Until I work it out I can't cut any segments.I have one I just finished turning and have to wait until the finish dries and then I'll post some pics somewhere.

 

[martyn]

that unfortunate, sends us a link to them pic when you post them, i may get inspired

 

[akuntz]

Dovetail do you have a part number for the cutter head from lee valley. How much rise did it give you. My lathe has 9" center and my vise is 5-1/4" high so I have to build it up to get to center. If this works as good as I am hearing it will be the best thing since sliced bread and the Segeasy sled
Al

 

[dovetail]

Dovetail do you have a part number for the cutter head from lee valley. How much rise did it give you. My lathe has 9" center and my vise is 5-1/4" high so I have to build it up to get to center. If this works as good as I am hearing it will be the best thing since sliced bread and the Segeasy sled
Al

Hi Al,The Lee Valley tool post item # is ) 03J70.47 . I also got from them an unground 1/4 " tool bit ,item # ) 03J70.16 .Both items are on page 148 of their online tool catalogue .I have my vice on top of a 3/4 " plywood,then in the vice I have the tool post sitting on top of a 1/2 " piece of wood,which brings the tool bit to centre on my set up.Hope that helps.
Rob

 

[akuntz]

thank you Dovetail. Does this set up work well

 

[dovetail]

For me it works better than trying to free hand sand against a disc sander,or is faster than my home made lathe drum sander,or better than trying to free hand flatten with holding a lathe tool.There is always more than one way to skin a cat,probably the best way to flatten rings would be to own a thickness drum sander,but until then I try to do my best with this set up.

 

[martyn]

hi just thought id update you, I've just upgraded my set up for flattening rings on the lathe with a cross table and a small vice. It works really well and is a lot easier to wind that the cross vice

 

[stuart johnson]

How is the platform fixed to the lathe. It seems if it is not square by just a fraction the face would be at an angle and not flat.

 

[martyn]

yes you are right just a small amount out would result unflat face although it is perfect all checked and verified

the cross table i fixed down to the ply and on the btm of the ply there is a lath that fit snugly in the slot of the bed, the lath sticks out of the back and and the tail stock stops the cross table from being pushed back and gravity does the rest it is very heavy.

It was very easy to true up all i did was put a face plate on the lathe with a 5" blank of wood screwed on, i hollowed the blank a bit so the middle didn't foul and then just pushed the cross table up against the hollow blank, the cross table only touches the edges thus squaring it up

 

[stuart johnson]

Do you get a glue ready surface or do you need to sand?

 

[martyn]

Yes on segmemted rings you get a good flat clean glue surface ready to go. On solid disc that you start with on a vessel you can get a bit if fluff that you have to knock off with a bit of sand cause by the cross grain but it flat of the bat