Any Precautions When Using a 60 Degree Cone Center - Woodworking Talk

slatron25 · 06-28-2009, 04:02 PM

I just picked up a WoodRiver version.

firehawkmph · 06-28-2009, 09:08 PM

Tim,
I have one that looks just like that. No real precautions except to not over tighten it. Snug it up but don't wrench it down. Overdo it and it acts like a logsplitter.
Mike Hawkins

Gordon Seto · 06-28-2009, 09:09 PM

On any cone center, don't crank up too tight on the tailstock. Enough is good. Too much pressure, the cone center would act like a wedge and split the wood.

john lucas · 06-28-2009, 11:41 PM

A tip that works sometimes is to put a washer on the end. This limits penetration. I prefer using a cone center but occasionally a 60 degree point is the right thing.

firehawkmph · 06-29-2009, 10:46 PM

Tim,
I was just thinking about the cone center. I use mine mainly when I have drilled a hole in the end of a piece and then want to turn it. Like when I do a peppermill. If I am just putting a piece of wood between centers, I prefer the steb centers with the spring loaded center surrounded by little teeth.
Mike Hawkins

slatron25 · 06-30-2009, 12:05 AM

Thanks all.
I was thinking while I made that last tool handle that I wished I had a jacobs chuck. I realized my lathe would be too short, so this way I can pre drill the hole and then turn the handle. Even then I'll still have the problem of keeping things line up correctly.

Also, I've been working on turning suspended bowls. If I keep them small enough I can just reverse them on the chuck to turn the bottom, but I've got a few too big for my chuck. I'm thinking the cone center will allow me a little more room turning the bottom between centers. I see some possible issues though, so I'll have to be careful.