RPM for Slow Speed Application of Finish

[David Crane]

I am seeking information about the turning speed required to prevent runs and drips when applying varnish or similar finishes such as Waterlox.
I viewed a video by John Williams that he uses to apply long-set epoxy. He turns his vessels at 8 RPM for 1.5 to 2 hours.

 

[hockenbery]

I apply multiple coats of Waterlox wet and wipe off. I’ve never applied it heavy and rotated the piece.

The folks I know like John who rotate pieces are applying epoxy finish or heavy coats of laquer
The rotating levels the finish.

Several folks have used BBQ rotisserie motors to spin their pieces.

 

[Ashley Bell]

I have just set up my epoxy finishing unit at 10rpm through a reduction gearbox ! barbecue spit motors will do the smaller items ,but mine are very big!

 

[Ed Weingarden]

The lowest speed my lathe runs at is 60rpm. I apply polyurethane at that speed and let it turn for about 30 minutes after the application. If you search on youtube for Steve Sinner, he has a very short video of the technique.

 

[GRJensen]

I built a slow-turner that runs at 15rpm

 

[William Rogers]

I ordered this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089PVS7X7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1
thinking of trying to do epoxy. it only turns 2 -3 rpm. not sure if it will work or not. I am going to build something like GRJensen and try it.

 

[john lucas]

I use a rotisserie motor for epoxy. I think it's 6 rpm. I have a 20 rpm motor for applying polyeurethane. However I was just give a 30rpm heavy duty motor and may change over to it.

 

[Aaron Harris]

On a good day when I hold my mouth right, I can get my PM 3520C to spin somewhere in the 30's, which has worked for me with some epoxy finishes with my wood barrier on the ways. But even when I can't seem to finesse it below the 50's, it seems to even out okay-do I need to go slower?

Now, when I'm burnishing in my MS-thinned TruOil finishes, I crank it up into the hundreds, but that's another story.

 

[Richard Coers]

The lowest speed my lathe runs at is 60rpm. I apply polyurethane at that speed and let it turn for about 30 minutes after the application. If you search on youtube for Steve Sinner, he has a very short video of the technique.

Don't the controller and motor temps get pretty hot running at the lowest speed for 30 minutes?

 

[Richard Coers]

I pad on my finish off the lathe. I make a pad of cotton cloth and wipe on the finish. There is always a dry spot where I hold the bowl while wiping the finish on. I pad the finish on there after setting the bowl down. I made little stands by bending dull bandsaw blades into a V and set the wet bowls down on the teeth. The marks from the teeth are basically invisible, but sanding and applying another coat of finish fixes even that.

 

[Dave Hulett]

I ordered this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089PVS7X7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1
thinking of trying to do epoxy. it only turns 2 -3 rpm. not sure if it will work or not. I am going to build something like GRJensen and try it.

thanks William for the link. My Nova only slows to 100 but I have often wished I could slow it down to 40-60 rpms. will give this a try.

 

[Tim Dunbar]

i use a small reduction gear motor to turn my epoxy finishes, turns at 8 rpm

 

[David Crane]

I decided to use a 15 RPM rate of turn rate and acquired the same motor as Gerald Jenson used on his device. I used the Craftsman headstock from my first lathe. I had planned to turn an adapter on my metal lathe to connect the two different diameter shafts of motor and headstock but found a flexible coupling that fit both shafts. I already had the threaded insert for the nova chuck.

Thanks to all who provided input on the RPM and the feedback everyone provided regarding their experience.

 

[Sam Fleisher]

The lowest speed my lathe runs at is 60rpm. I apply polyurethane at that speed and let it turn for about 30 minutes after the application. If you search on youtube for Steve Sinner, he has a very short video of the technique.

I too watched that video and have been using that technique. I have been having better luck with small diameter long spindles (think cane shaft). One bowl I used it on made the poly flow to the rim. This item in the pic I left it turning for 6 hours just to be sure since I put the spar on probably too thick and it has sagged on the bottom after 1-2 hours on other items. Since this item had so many grooves etc. it was left on for 6 hours. No problems with heat that I've been able to feel with the lathe. grizzly g0766.