Chuckitis

[Bart Leetch]

When using a Oneway Talon chuck if the allen screws are tightened down against the lathe arbor I know its ok to sand in reverse but is it ok to turn in reverse? I have a lathe with both over the bed capabilities as well as outside the head capabilities & would like to be able to turn in reverse on the outside the head so I can hold & present the tools in the same manner I am accustom to.

 

[Dan Carter]

When I have really knarley, twisted grain that is tearing out, I often turn it in reverse. It quite often helps to get a nice, smooth surface. So, I would think you'd be alright turning outboard in reverse.

 

[john lucas]

I often turn in reverse to do the parts of the face side of my hand mirrors. To turn down hill with the grain you go from the center out on these mirrors. That's hard to control the tool accurately when running forward because you start the cut with your arm way out in space away from your body. By turning in reverse you have the tool handle on your body and you push the tool away from you. I have much finer control that way.
Always make sure your chuck is tight in these instances because if you get a catch it will unscrew the chuck.

 

[Steve Worcester]

If you are standing on the outboard side of the headstock and turning, it is still in the direction of the thread tightening. It isn't really reverse although the motor is turning the opposite direction.
But with that said, even if you wanted to stand on the other side of the lathe, you can do that with the arbor screw tightened, providing it is tightened down to an area of the shaft that doesn't have threads. (Technically you can do whatever you want, but you did ask for advice 🙂)