Stools, spindle turning

[Larry Copas]

I've been making lots of stools similar to the one pictured. Legs are 28-1/2" long and taper to 3/4" on each end. I can turn the legs with either a skew or a spindle gouge but I get lots of vibration. To dampen vibration I use a Oneway spindle steady. The steady is a pain to work around. I suppose I could put a banjo on each side of the steady.

I've found a third way to turn the legs with zero vibration and no spindle steady. I use a Ellsworth grind bowl gouge and shear cut. Not quite as good of finish as the skew and have to start sanding maybe a grit or two lower.

Just wondering what method is best for turning legs such as what I'm making. I know lots of turners, but almost none turn a spindle longer than 6" or so.

 

[hockenbery]

I've found a third way to turn the legs with zero vibration and no spindle steady. I use a Ellsworth grind bowl gouge and shear cut. Not quite as good of finish as the skew and have to start sanding maybe a grit or two lower.

Nice stools

A pull cut with the Ellsworth should give a cleaner cut.

Vibration is likely from too much bevel pressure or too fast a feed rate with the tool.
A micro bevel reduces bevel contact.

Too much tailstock pressure can also cause the spindle to flex but you wouldn’t get the good cut with the Ellsworth.

 

[john lucas]

Your problem is too much pressure on the bevel. I fought it for tears and then one day it just went away. Ok not all the time. When I havent been turning thin spindles I have to re learn. Very sharp tools and backing up the cut with your hand helps. Mostly it's just really concentrating on not putting any pressure on the bevel. Look up the Steve Jones videos. He is a master of the skew. He uses an old style wooden steady to speed up his production work.

 

[Mark Risinger]

Here's a quick & grainy look at the wooden spindle steady John Lucas mentioned:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwHwdfCD-Wk


Steve Jones is a freekin wizard.....

 

[robo hippy]

My first thought on seeing that stool was it is made for guitar playing.... May have to try one some day. I do like a shear scrape for my final cut on just about every thing. It works best for me at leveling out the little bumps I get, and is faster than sanding.... The thing with the shear scrape is that you are not rubbing the bevel so that won't make the spindle deflect. One friend said an old turner told him the spindle ratio is 10 to 1, as in 1 inch diameter you can go 10 inches long without vibration issues.

robo hippy

 

[Marvin Jones]

View attachment 42998

I've been making lots of stools similar to the one pictured. Legs are 28-1/2" long and taper to 3/4" on each end. I can turn the legs with either a skew or a spindle gouge but I get lots of vibration. To dampen vibration I use a Oneway spindle steady. The steady is a pain to work around. I suppose I could put a banjo on each side of the steady.

I've found a third way to turn the legs with zero vibration and no spindle steady. I use a Ellsworth grind bowl gouge and shear cut. Not quite as good of finish as the skew and have to start sanding maybe a grit or two lower.

Just wondering what method is best for turning legs such as what I'm making. I know lots of turners, but almost none turn a spindle longer than 6" or so.

That is just awesome! I will be making some of those. (trying anyway)

 

[Larry Copas]

Your problem is too much pressure on the bevel. I fought it for tears and then one day it just went away.

I was suspecting that was my problem, just needed somebody to tell me. I'll concentrate on that issue and see if I can improve. I'll also watch the Steve Jones videos to see if I can pick up anything there.

Thanks all for the suggestions.

 

[john lucas]

Another suggestion. Reduce the drive pressure from your tailstock. It causes flex in the piece.