Joined
·
163 Posts
I have a midi. It only turns one direction.
Observation. When turning bowls or platters, I have observed that finishing can be a challenge.
Normally, I will sand from 100-180. I may start at 120 and may end at 220. But that is my range. Usually I will hand sand with lathe on with the earlier grits. Depending on the "feel", I may use my drill attachment also. I'll always use my drill for the finer grits; 180+.
Most hardwoods seem work well with this approach and finish acceptably.
But, I have had some situations that I have yet to address to my satisfaction.
1) Some woods seem to sand/finish "better" when you can sand on a lathe which can reverse. I have done some pieces that when done sanding a grit, I find the "feel" is "smoother" in one direction than the other. The other way has whiskers. I have taken these challenge plates to my guild shop where they have a couple lathes which can reverse and able to get a much better acceptable "feel" in both directions by sand in both directions.
Is there some way I can address this with my one direction lathe?
(I've even thought abut seeing if I use a power take off on the headstock handle. Also, seeing if I could create some Rube Goldberg attachment that can screw on in place of headstock handle to some how chuck a plate or bowl. Just to get the reverse direction.)
2). Again, related I think. I realize that some grain in some woods will raise after sanding. A number of reasons. I have had (this has happen a couple times ) whiskers raise in one direction after I thought the bowl had been finished properly. This has occurred in both cases a over 24 hours after I was "done". In both cases it was lacquer. I hate redoing lacquer or poly.
So any observations or advice. I think again it has to do with not sanding in both directions.
Observation. When turning bowls or platters, I have observed that finishing can be a challenge.
Normally, I will sand from 100-180. I may start at 120 and may end at 220. But that is my range. Usually I will hand sand with lathe on with the earlier grits. Depending on the "feel", I may use my drill attachment also. I'll always use my drill for the finer grits; 180+.
Most hardwoods seem work well with this approach and finish acceptably.
But, I have had some situations that I have yet to address to my satisfaction.
1) Some woods seem to sand/finish "better" when you can sand on a lathe which can reverse. I have done some pieces that when done sanding a grit, I find the "feel" is "smoother" in one direction than the other. The other way has whiskers. I have taken these challenge plates to my guild shop where they have a couple lathes which can reverse and able to get a much better acceptable "feel" in both directions by sand in both directions.
Is there some way I can address this with my one direction lathe?
(I've even thought abut seeing if I use a power take off on the headstock handle. Also, seeing if I could create some Rube Goldberg attachment that can screw on in place of headstock handle to some how chuck a plate or bowl. Just to get the reverse direction.)
2). Again, related I think. I realize that some grain in some woods will raise after sanding. A number of reasons. I have had (this has happen a couple times ) whiskers raise in one direction after I thought the bowl had been finished properly. This has occurred in both cases a over 24 hours after I was "done". In both cases it was lacquer. I hate redoing lacquer or poly.
So any observations or advice. I think again it has to do with not sanding in both directions.