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Learning experience with lidded box

John Torchick

John Torchick

Joined
Jan 24, 2010
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Location
Cleveland, Tennessee
This has been a project in the making due to lack of experience. I parted off the body this morning. This afternoon was devoted to a lid of unknown wood as is the box. I started to put the lid between a drive center and live center. "Duh! How am I going to turn this and not have the dimples in the wood?" The the "Ah, ha!" moment hit! Fortunately, my Nova chuck was ready to go. Mounted to wood and began to use the parting tool to turn to the ID of the box. Got a tight fit. Now to reverse the lid and finish it someway. The interior was finished this morning and looking the get advice from the chapter members in two weeks; "John, you might consider taking up needlepoint." Two photos attached. BTW, tried to burn the lines. Found out the wire from a fishing leader was plastic coated! I used a mini parting tool that I got from friends at Christmas; turned it on its side. Wife came to the rescue with some braided picture wire. Will try it. Your advice is most welcome but don't have any interest in needlepoint.
Box.jpgFitted lid.jpg
 
Howdy John, I am sure needlepoint has its difficulties too... Just stick with the woodturning! But hey! Despite the difficulties, you are doing it! Getting those processes internalized takes a bit of practice. When you are standing there at the lathe, the brain doesn't always see the things that were in the demo at the club or on the computer. Practice and you will get it all down and bring a box into the folks at the club you will be proud of! Keep going!

Note: Second photo I notice the walnut is pushed all the way back into the chuck and rests on the interior of the jaws. The chucks are designed to give you better registration on the front top surfaces using the dovetails. Plan out projects when you can to use that surface and you will find less wiggle and change when you turn things around to remount.
 
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For burning lines... single-strand wire like: a guitar string, baling wire, something like that (not copper electric wire).You might be successful if you unwind that braided wire and used one strand. I mean, the braided might work., but sounds like it might be too thick.
DO NOT wrap the wire around your finger - wrap it around a dowel or stick to hold it.

My preference for burning lines is using the edge of countertop laminate (aka Formica - but I prefer the cheaper thinner off-brands). You can pick up samples at any store that sells it (home despot, lowes, etc). I've seen others use the edge of a playing card or edge of old worn sanding belts.
 
 
William, the leader wire is plastic coated. No wonder it didn't work. There is a music store in town. Will try to remember (at my age?) to see if he has any old guitar strings. My "system" is a piece of one inch dowel, drilled through it, and the wire secured by a sheet metal screw. When turning, I don't wrap anything around my hands, fingers or neck. No future in it.
 
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