Block plane on lathe.

[Glenn Lefley]

Any one else use this technique on spindles etc on the lathe?

Block plane meets the lathe - FineWoodworking

I don’t consider myself a turner, more like a furniture maker who turns when necessary. So after using gouges to take square stock close to its finished form, I often […]

www.finewoodworking.com

 

[john lucas]

I used it many years ago when I was a new turner. Really only useful for straight areas.

 

[Don Wattenhofer]

That is a very old method and of course as John said it works best on spindle turning straight areas and works great removing high spots by bridging over the low spots.

 

[Bob Sheppard]

Any one else use this technique on spindles etc on the lathe?

Block plane meets the lathe - FineWoodworking

I don’t consider myself a turner, more like a furniture maker who turns when necessary. So after using gouges to take square stock close to its finished form, I often […]

www.finewoodworking.com

Since I'm more a spindle turner than bowl, I use that technique fairly often. Its easier to make a straight segment on a spindle with the block plane, than with a skew, since the body of the plane helps a lot with that. I turn the lathe speed way down, and set the blade very shallow, after turning it close to finished size.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

Do you hold the body of the plane perpendicular to the spindle, at a slight angle or steeply angled?

 

[Don Wattenhofer]

Do you hold the body of the plane perpendicular to the spindle, at a slight angle or steeply angled?

Usually about 45 degree angle so it would be similar to using a skew.

 

[robo hippy]

Well, I don't turn many spindles. If I was to use a small block plane, I would use it at a skewed angle rather than straight on like shown in the video. If nothing else, you wouldn't have the dig in marks from the edges of the plane blade. Even with my limited skew skills, I get a better surface with it than with the block plane. Some times I get a better surface with a peeling cut than I do with the standard skewed bevel rubbing cut. Yes, I do need more practice.

robo hippy

 

[Brian Horais]

John, I would think that the rate this technique generates shavings would jam the block plane. Did you have this experience?

 

[Brian Horais]

I used it many years ago when I was a new turner. Really only useful for straight areas.

let me try this as a reply instead of a new post.... John, I would think that the rate this technique generates shavings would jam the block plane. Did you have this experience?

 

[Bob Sheppard]

John, I would think that the rate this technique generates shavings would jam the block plane. Did you have this experience?

I open the mouth of the block plane pretty wide when I'm using it on the lathe. I don't have a problem with jams that way.

 

[Don Wattenhofer]

I would use it at a skewed angle rather than straight on like shown in the video. If nothing else, you wouldn't have the dig in marks from the edges of the plane blade

Is that the Fine Woodworking video referred to at the beginning of this thread?
When ever I click on it, it comes up and then goes blank so I am assuming that a fee is involved, which I didn't choose to pursue, so if they are not presenting the plane at a skew angle then Fine Woodworking has gone down to the subbasement of quality content.

 

[Glenn C Roberts]

Don, the link works fine for me, and no fee involved.

 

[Don Wattenhofer]

Don, the link works fine for me, and no fee involved.

I don't know what the problem was previously but it did work so I viewed the video.
As early as the 1970's I have used a block plane on the lathe, but it was always at a skew angle.

 

[Randy Heinemann]

It's a Mario Rodriguez video through FWW. I agree the technique has limited usefulness and maybe none for bowl turners, but it was an interesting video and I wouldn't question the viability of a technique presented by Mario Rodriguez; only how useful it is for what I do. It may or may not be accessible free on FWW's website. I subscribe and got access through an email previewing an issue of FWW, so it might not be available to non-subscribers.

 

[Spike Cornelius]

Now a compass plane might be useful in bowl work…
best, Spike