Monday, October 15, 2012

Turning a laminated wooden vase on the lathe

I've made a series of wooden vases and similar items by laminating contrasting boards, then turning them on the lathe. I like to use walnut, maple and either bloodwood or padauk to create a white/black/red theme. I almost never use stains, instead I just finish the wood with clear wipe-on polyurethane, using two coats for a fairly matte finish.

7 comments:

  1. Hey Ben,

    Sweet vase.

    Can I ask, what respirator/cartridges you're using in this video?

    Also are you sure on the science behind needing a respirator during rough cuts? It was my understanding that its only really during sanding/filing that the wood particles get fine enough to pose a respiratory hazard, and generate enough friction to combust/evaporate harmful oils/resins.

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  2. Anonymous, thanks! The respirator needs only a particulate filter to keep dust out. The cartridges in mine are a particulate/hydrocarbon combo that probably includes activated carbon, but the carbon doesn't do anything for macroscopic particles. I don't know about the exact science, but I do know that turning a wood part on the lathe for 6 hours without a respirator causes me severe throat irritation, so that alone is worth avoiding.

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  3. I didn't see any vacuum system, how are you controlling the dust in your shop? From my days working in a cabinet shop, I remember the dust most of all... It gets into everything and everywhere! I ask since it looks like the wood working seems to be sharing the same space a your other projects. Get enough of it in your HV supply for the microscope and watch out!

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  4. Anonymous, it's true that I don't have any dust collection. I don't do woodworking very often, and just deal with the dust when it happens. It's true that the tiny dust particles drift a very long way from the source.

    When I moved into this shop, I considered building a wall between the woodworking side and the rest of the shop. I may still do this. -Ben

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  5. What type is model number for that lathe?

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  6. Davo, it's a Harbor Fright #67690. However, I would not recommend it. Some Harbor Freight tools are good enough, and others are pretty crappy. This lathe falls into the "pretty crappy" category. It only costs about $100 when on sale.

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  7. I am thinking of buying a wood lathe what would you recommend I don't want to spend that much money because I don't know if i will stick with the hobby. also i have been watching your videos a long time, you should continue doing wood working videos i really enjoy them, also your super critical series of videos.

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