Hi all, Excellent site. I am just starting to turn and am using a white oak tree that is lying in my yard. I am using a venerable Shopsmith 10ER circa 1953 that has a 1750 rpm 1/2 hp motor with three pairs of ....... So I think I have the three speeds 1750/2, 1750, 2 x 1750. I use the lowest speed with a run of the mill set of Shopsmith knives. So I know that I am starting with a some disadvantages. I have also heard that white oak is not the easiest wood to work with which I am proving with a series of tear outs. I have a Worksharp 2000 that I think I am using pretty well so that at least I think I have sharp tools. I also frequently spray the wood with water which seems to help alot. I am trying to turn bowls and goblets. I really do want to work with the wood I have. I am in the Raleigh North Carolina area so much of the hardwood I am going to come across is red and white oak.
My plan for right now is to get a termite hollowing tool as below:
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2000411/2223/Termite-Hollowing-Tool-Kit.aspx
I am looking for any other recommendations for working with white oak under the relatively difficult conditions provided by my Shopsmith 10ER. What I am most curious about is if having a lower rpm than 800+ would be helpful in turning this, or any other hardwood.
Thanks very much,
Jim Lee
My plan for right now is to get a termite hollowing tool as below:
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2000411/2223/Termite-Hollowing-Tool-Kit.aspx
I am looking for any other recommendations for working with white oak under the relatively difficult conditions provided by my Shopsmith 10ER. What I am most curious about is if having a lower rpm than 800+ would be helpful in turning this, or any other hardwood.
Thanks very much,
Jim Lee