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Darth Vader Helmet

blackhorse

blackhorse

Joined
Jan 27, 2005
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Trying to turn a DV statue for my grandson. What's the best technique to get underneath the helmet rim?

Thanks

BH
 
I was probably not clear with my question. What I mean is , is there a safe way to get under the rim while between centers or do I have to mount it on a block or chuck and come in from the face?
 
blackhorse said:
I was probably not clear with my question. What I mean is , is there a safe way to get under the rim while between centers or do I have to mount it on a block or chuck and come in from the face?
Click to expand...

That is what I meant. My response was a bit brief, but what I meant was grind an angled sharp tip on an old screwdriver to allow you to reach underneath the helmet. Alternatively, it could be carved, but that is not as much fun.

Obviously, this would need to be done very gently and slowly to avoid an exciting catch, but I have done similar undercutting stuff when taking a class from Cindy Drozda. Get the tool rest very close to the work and make sure that the tool is very sharp. It will necessarily be a scraping cut rather than slicing. Keep the flat part of the screwdriver blade on the tool rest. If necessary grind more flat. Cindy likes to run the lathe at extremely high speed, but you need to have a very steady hand when running the lathe that fast.
 
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I forgot one thing. You asked about a "safe" way to do the undercutting between centers. My previous suggestion is probably safe for the turner, but possibly not for the piece being turned. It would not hurt to practice on a piece of scrap first.
 
Undercutting between centers is second cousin to captive rings, except cut from only one side and deeper. Consider a surplus Allen wrench with the short end sharpened to a cutting shape. Glue the long end in a handle. If you bend the long leg slightly for alignment, torque can be near zero.
 
blackhorse said:
Trying to turn a DV statue for my grandson. What's the best technique to get underneath the helmet rim?

Thanks

BH
Click to expand...

Off topic, but I was stationed at 11th Armored Cav HQ, blackhorse RVN, in late 1968.......maybe we crossed paths a long time ago......?

ooc
 
Thanks for some great ideas. I'll try the screwdriver.

Odie, I went over with the 11th Cav by boat and returned in '67, so I missed you. BTW, that was a great photography thread you started.

BH
 
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