How best to mount it?

[seventhdevil]

i should point out that mine is only a jet 3520b so your big VB should handle it fine

[edbanger]

Hi Stuart

I've done a few large platters the largest being 34" so a little smaller than you are aiming to do. Firstly if you are uncomfortable in turning something this size don't do it and cut it up as already suggested.

But if your going to do it then the way I do the large platters is faceplate, turn the outside and make a dovetail socket then mount on the chuck with the jaws in expansion sitting in the dovetail.

I do not have the luxury of being able to bring up a tail stock so I do them with the headstock swiveled outboard.

Hope that helps

Ed

[Graham]

i should point out that mine is only a jet 3520b so your big VB should handle it fine

I think that is the first time I have ever heard  the 3520 referred to as 'only' 

[Eric Harvey]

Seventhdevil,you do know you can do up to a 5 foot platter etc; on a 3520B,I think Axminster have the world record for doing an eight foot one  on a 3520B,they had to dig a pit though,I think a VB will handle a 3 1/2 foot platter on a suitable faceplate ok,the only problem I can see is reverse turning it to get rid of the chucking point on the reverse  .

[seventhdevil]

i don't have the freestanding toolrest holder for those sizes eric, only the 18" extension so i can do 39 1/2" over the bed if it's mounted on it's low bit halfway down the leg.

i don't remove my chucking points for most of my bowls as i don't do many, i merely make them look very nice with a little decoration. 

[seventhdevil]

i should point out that mine is only a jet 3520b so your big VB should handle it fine

I think that is the first time I have ever heard  the 3520 referred to as 'only' 

i say "only" in comparison to the green monster...

[Mark Sanger]

Size is certainly important 

[seventhdevil]

i'm always on the look out for something bigger and want something like theses...

[bodrighywood]

Might need a biger workshop and I am not too sure about the tools used there in the 2nd photo.

Pete

[Graham]

As I keep telling the wife.... Bigger isn't always better.