Delta 46-700 - Workpiece Preparation for Turning; Centering and Marking Workpieces; Mounting Work Between Centers

Wood stock for any spindle turning should be approxi¬
mately square, and the ends should be square with the
sides. Two common methods of determining the center
are shown in Fig. 30 and 31. In Fig. 30 a distance a little
more or a little less than one-half the width of the stock
is set off from each of the four sides, The small square
thus set off in the center can then be used in marking the
true center. The diagonal method, Fig. 31, consists of
drawing lines from corner to corner, the intersection
marking the center of the work.
After marking each end, the true center should be defi¬
nitely marked with a punch awl or dividers, as shown in
Fig, 32. If the stock is hardwood, the centers should be
drilled to a depth of about 1/8”, as shown in Fig. 33. The
spur or live center is then placed against one end of the
work and seated by striking with a mallet, as shown in Fig.
34, In hardwood, it is advisable to make a starting seat
for the spur center, this being done by sawing on the
diagonal lines, as shown in Fig. 35, and drilling a small
hole at the intersection. After driving the center, it is best
to hold center and work together and fit immediately to
headstock spindle. If you are not using a ball bearing
center, the end of work at tailstock center should be oiled,
placing the lubricant on the wood either before or after
it is put in the lathe, see Fig, 36. Many turners use bees¬
wax, tallow, or a wax-and-oil mixture as a lubricant, The
ideal method is to use a ball bearing center, which elimi¬
nates lubricating entirely. If the work is to be removed from
the lathe before completion, an index mark should be
made as a guide for recentering, as shown in Fig. 37. A
permanent indexer can be made by grinding off one corner
of one of the spurs.
Fig. 32
Fig. 33
Fig. 36 Fig. 37
MOUNTING THE WORK
Mounting the work is done by moving the tailstock up to
a position about 1 or IV 2 ” from the end of the stock, and
locking it in this position. Advance the tailstock center by
turning the feed handle until the center makes contact with
the work. Continue to advance the center while slowly
rotating the work by hand. After it becomes difficult to turn
the work, slack off on the feed about one-quarter turn and
lock the tailstock spindle.
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