Advice required for holding platter type blank

[PhillH]

OK so in a fit of madness I bought one of these 3 Piece Hors D'oeuvres set because they were cheap.

Have to say it's great quality, but my problme comes in "how the hell do I make a base" for it.

Finally found some Ash at 14 x 1 1/2" thick at Stiles and Bates, so that should do it.

But how do I hold it to start to put a dovetail in the base ?

Glue block ? Am nervous that a glue block won't hold it, or will it ?

Other suggestions ?

 

[Neil]

Put it between centres (just read back 14 inch - probably wont be able to?) and put a dovetail on it, or put a face plate ring and some C type jaws, or a faceplate and screws.

 

[Gizmo3k]

You could use a router to put a dovetail on the base maybe? Either that, or a very large donut chuck!

 

[Terry]

I would just use a faceplate ring Phill. Keep your speed down until you get it balanced and then you should be ok I do it this way all the time !!!

 

[Woody]

Fit a faceplate with short screws say 1/2" do your dovetail and complete the bottom fix to your chuck turn the centre out and leave a rim all round the edger that will get rid of the screw holes and if you feel very clever get another bit of wood to make a stand to fix in the dovetail recess or make a lazy Suzy good luck mate

 

[paulm1]

I use a large saw tooth forstner bit that is just slightly larger than the shark jaws on my vicmarc chuck, use it in the drill press to drill a shallow hole in the top of the blank, maybe 5 to 10mm deep is usually about right depending on size and balance of blank, and then use the hole to expand the chuck jaws into. Turn the bottom of the platter leaving a spigot of 5mm or so if there is sufficient material, or creating a shallow recess if not, then turn the blank round and complete the rest. Remove the bottom spigot after, or tidy up the recess, using cole jaws or mdf disc and tailstock pressure. Sounds complicated but quick and easy to do in practice !

Cheers, Paul

 

[Bill Mooney]

When I do this type of thing I open my chuck jaws then put my blank against the jaw face, bring up the tailstock, centre the blank & press the blank against the jaws, this acts as a jam chuck until I turn my spigot or recess then reverse the blank & hold as normal in the chuck. I have no problems with this method as the tailstock support is there all the time & it doesn't matter if the jaws mark the timber as it is turned away.

 

[donwatson]

+1 for Woody I fitted a lazy susan to mine as well.

 

[Terry Q]

When I do this type of thing I open my chuck jaws then put my blank against the jaw face, bring up the tailstock, centre the blank & press the blank against the jaws, this acts as a jam chuck until I turn my spigot or recess then reverse the blank & hold as normal in the chuck. I have no problems with this method as the tailstock support is there all the time & it doesn't matter if the jaws mark the timber as it is turned away.

This is the way I do it as well.

 

[chas_41_uk]

Some interesting methods, but I'd go with Woody's or Bill's

 

[Woody]

There you go mate very good choices for you to choose from and they all work equally well

 

[PhillH]

I can't believe I didn't think of using the faceplate rings I have hanging at the side of the lathe


Thanks for all the suggestions folks, much appreciated.

Although I have to say Bill you have bigger cojones than me, I don't fancy spinning a 15 inch blank held up by the tailstock, that comes close to Woodys tool handle drilling method in my mind

 

[wm460]

Phill if the wood sound you can go as big as your lathe swing. start at a slow speed till its round, ie not of balance or your lathe will start to dance.

 

[Penpal]

Every which way works mate I have my own method use a half inch bowl gouge as well the larger and finer the cuts take your time.

Peter.