8
Mounting a Workpiece Between
Centers (Spindle Turning)
When turning a workpiece with the grain running parallel to
the lathe bed (furniture legs are a good example) the workpiece
(often called a blank) typically is mounted between the lathe’s
Spur Center and Live Center. To mount a blank between centers:
1. Draw diagonal, corner-to-corner lines on both ends of the
blank to locate the center points.
2. Carefully remove the Spur Center from the Headstock
Spindle, taking care not to injure your hand on the sharp
point and wings. If the Spur Center won’t come out when
you pull on it, use the Knockout Bar and, if necessary, a
dead-blow mallet to dislodge it. Don’t strike the end of the
Knockout Bar too hard, though, and be sure to catch
the Spur Center.
3. If the Faceplate is installed on the Headstock Spindle,
remove it by rotating counterclockwise.
4. Stand the blank on end and hold it securely or clamp it in
a vise. Position the Spur Center so that its center point is
at the intersection of the “X” you drew on the end of the
blank. Hold it straight and hit the end a couple of times with
a dead-blow mallet to seat the Spur Center at least 1/4" into
the blank. The Spur Center might come free from the blank,
but the impressions in the wood will make it easier to mount
the blank securely on the lathe. (If you are using an
especially hard wood, you might need to drill a 1/8"-diameter
by 3/16"-deep hole in the end of the blank after setting
the Spur Center.)
5. Reinstall the Spur Center in the Spindle and bring the blank
up to it, making sure to line up the impressions with the
wings on the Spur Center. Hold the blank parallel
to the Lathe Bed.
6. Release the Tailstock Lock Lever and slide the Tailstock until
the tip of the Live Center almost touches the blank. Press the
Tailstock Lock Lever to lock down the Tailstock.
7. Continuing to hold the blank, loosen the Quill Lock Handle.
Carefully turn the Quill Handwheel to advance the Live
Center, making sure to line up the tip with the center of
the “X” on the end of the blank. Once the tip of the Live
Center makes contact, continue tightening the Quill
Handwheel to make sure the blank is fully and securely
captured by both the Spur Center and Live Center. Tighten
the Quill Lock Handle to lock the quill in position.
8. Loosen the Banjo Lock Lever and the Tool Rest Lock
Handle. Slide the Tool Rest Banjo up to the workpiece,
leaving about 1/8" between the Tool Rest and the workpiece.
Spin the workpiece by hand to make sure no part of it will
contact the Tool Rest once the lathe is turned on. Lock the
Banjo Lock Lever.
9. Adjust the Tool Rest up or down to your preferred height
for the task and engage the Tool Rest Lock Handle. Typically,
the top edge of the rest will be just above the horizontal
centerline of the workpiece. Again, spin the workpiece by
hand to make sure no part of it will contact the Tool Rest.
Mounting a Workpiece using the Faceplate
When turning a workpiece with the grain running perpendicular
to the lathe bed (bowls and platters are good examples) the
workpiece (often called a blank) typically is mounted with screws
to the Faceplate or with a worm screw in a four-jaw chuck. To
mount a blank using the faceplate:
1. Prepare your blank for turning by making sure it is sized
to allow it to spin on the lathe without contacting the Lathe
Bed and does not exceed the recommended size limitations
of the lathe. Remove any corner edges with a band saw
or handsaw. Also make sure that the area where you will be
mounting the Faceplate is reasonably flat. If it’s not, you’ll
need to chisel out an area large enough to accommodate
the Faceplate.
2. Use a center finder or some other means to locate and mark
the center of your blank.
3. Center the Faceplate over the center mark on your blank and
mark the locations of ALL of the Faceplate’s screw holes
on the blank.
>Make sure your workpiece is fully secured on the lathe
between centers, with a faceplate and screws of sufficient
length, or in four-jaw chuck with appropriate jaws. An
inadequately secured workpiece could come off the
lathe at high velocity, potentially causing serious injury.
>Check your workpiece for any splits, cracks or other
defects that could compromise the integrity of the
wood and possibly lead to the workpiece coming
apart or coming off the lathe. Do NOT turn
blanks that have defects.
>Make sure your workpiece is fully secured on the lathe
between centers, with a faceplate and screws of sufficient
length, or in four-jaw chuck with appropriate jaws. An
inadequately secured workpiece could come off the
lathe at high velocity, potentially causing serious injury.
>Check your workpiece for any splits, cracks or other
defects that could compromise the integrity of the
wood and possibly lead to the workpiece coming
apart or coming off the lathe. Do NOT turn
blanks that have defects.
If the Tailstock Lock Lever won’t
release because it’s too tight or won’t secure the Tailstock
because it’s too loose, adjust the mounting nut on the
underside of the tailstock slightly to achieve the proper
clamping pressure.
