Newbie Alert

[Grethron]

Hi all, just joined and been reading through the posts here. I got my first lathe after trying to build one for years and failing. It's an Arundel J4 Junior as you can see.

As my main focus is wanting to turn bowls, I wanted to make some kind of faceplate as I didn't have one. According to www.lathes.co.uk the outboard spindle is M20 x 2.5 but I bought a nut and it doesn't fit either side so I don't know if mine's been modified.

Undeterred I decided to mount a piece of oak kindly donated to me and turned it down to round and flat. I'm going to test drive it tomorrow. What kind of problems do you think I'm likely to face?

[Les Symonds]

I dabbled with wood turning a few decades ago, before giving up and then have a second attempt more recently. In those days i had a J4 and my biggest issue was keeping vibration down to a minimum, so....sharp tools and very light cuts is the order of the day. I can't make out how you've mounted that piece of timber....have you drilled it out and screwed it directly onto the outboard thread?
Les

[Grethron]

Hi Les, yeah that's exactly what I did. I know it's probably gonna go slack through use but I've got to use tools to get it off at the moment. Plus the action of the lathe and tool usage will actually tighten the thing more.

I did want to get a nut to fit and make something a little safer but got no idea how to figure out how to get the right size. I can't afford to just buy a bunch of nuts in the hope I get the right one.

Cheers, Gav.

[fuzzyturns]

Considering you are on the left hand side of the headstock, this would have to be a left-handed nut to fit and not come loose. These are generally difficult to find. However, there are plenty of people in the UK who have hobby metal machine shops, and they would be able to make you one for a few bob. Look for railway model builders, or steam engine makers.

[BrianH]

Hiya
try taking the headstock to a specialist like Westgate Fastenings. Thats what I did some years ago with success. If using a nut as a basis of faceplate or other chucking systems make certain that the nut itself seats onto the small face behind the nose thread as this contact supplies most of the strength and all of the precision. Best of luck with it.
Brian

[Les Symonds]

Just a thought...have you considered joining your local wood turning club (if there is one). There's a map of all the associated and affiliated clubs on the AWGB home page.
Les

[Grethron]

Certainly some meat to chew on here, I hadn't even thought about having one specially made. I think there's a model builder that lives really near me I did some garden work for years ago, he built steam engines and turned every nut bolt and screw himself. If I  can track him down I might be in with a shot.

I'll have a look at local clubs but the one I was recommended to is full and has a waiting list as long as yer arm. Maybe I can find a different one on the site here.

Cheers for the ideas, Westgate Fastenings is a bit far as I'm in Kent but I'm sure there must be something round here.

Gav.

[fuzzyturns]

How can a wood turning club be full? Doesn't make sense to me, please explain.

[ChrisF]

How can a wood turning club be full? Doesn't make sense to me, please explain.

See it a lot with popular photography clubs.  Usually due to the size of premises.  There's usually a strict limit to how many people are allowed in a room/building at one time so if this is in danger of being regularly hit, let alone exceeded, they may close membership.  I imagine suitable premises at sensible costs are not necessarily easy to find so moving may not be feasible.

[Grethron]

Chris has it, size of hall limits amount of people allowed in at one time due to fire restrictions.

[BrianH]

Gav
Some years ago I wrote a mag article on making nut-based chucking fittings, which was published here and in France. If you find a supplier (I thought Westgate were a national chain but I might be wrong) and choose to go ahead with the project let me know and I'll give you a rundown on methods and pitfalls if you like.
All the best
Brian

[happy amateur]

Where are you in Kent. The Garden of England Woodturners Dunkirk is the club with a waiting list.
There is a club at Milstead Village Hall Milstead Sittingbourne who would be glad to have you as a member
Website www.orchard-woodturners.org.uk at the moment. email info@orchard-woodturners.org.uk

Fred Taylor
website manager

[Grethron]

Thanks for all this and yes it was the GOE woodturners someone mentioned. He also gave me a load of wood to practice on and spent half a day showing me the tool basics.

I'm in Herne Bay so Sittingbourne's a little far for me.

[Derek]

How can a wood turning club be full? Doesn't make sense to me, please explain.

As stated the size of the hall and the restrictions that apply means that the club can not take more than allowed.

By the way welcome aboard Gavin

[edbanger]

Hi Gavin

Did you put your name down at GEW the renew membership is coming up in a few weeks. There's normally a few that drop out each year so you never know.

Ed