People have been making wood products for many centuries, from the times of primitive society to the present day. Only the methods of processing it change. And if earlier axes, saws and planes were used, then modern craftsmen, in addition to manual ones, also use power tools, including a lathe, to process wooden products.
So, what is it for? And what can be done on a lathe? Can it be used for creativity? Let's figure it out.
Purpose of the machine and what can be done with it
A lathe is a device for making wooden products in the shape of bodies of revolution. With its help, you can sharpen the material, cut it, and also sand it with sandpaper. The machining process itself is a combination of two types of motion: rotational and translational. The machine directly rotates the workpiece itself, and the turner manually, using a chisel, regulates the pressure on the workpiece to obtain the desired shape.
And it’s not only construction blanks that can be turned on a machine. It all depends on the imagination and qualifications of the master. These can be souvenirs and decorative items. For example, a beautifully made beech wine glass or unusual apple tree spoons will be a worthy decoration for any kitchen. In the hands of an experienced craftsman, any log will become a masterpiece!
Lathe technology
It is advisable that the workplace in front of the lathe be equipped for a specific worker - for his height. The workpiece should be at elbow level. Before starting to work, the turner must take a stable and comfortable stance in front of the machine.
The wooden piece must be securely fastened either in the centers or on the faceplate. Next, you should bring the tool closer to the workpiece, turn the shaft with the blank - it should not touch it. The upper part of the tool rest should be located five millimeters below the axis of rotation.
Now you can start the engine. The more finishing work is done, the higher the spindle rotation speed should be. We rest the body of the chisel blade against the tool rest, and slowly bring the cutter closer to the rotating workpiece. The chips must be removed in a thin layer; the cutter must not be allowed to penetrate deeply into the body of the blank - this is unsafe. Hold the blade of the chisel with one hand, and its handle with the other. It is advisable to press the elbow tightly against the body; in this manner, a stronger and more immovable emphasis is created.
Types of turning and principle of operation
There are more than a dozen different types of turning work, and they differ from each other in the types of parts and their sizes. Consequently, there can be many types of turning. But there are three main methods on which all others are based: longitudinal, transverse and angular. They differ in the direction of movement of the cutter relative to the axis of rotation of the workpiece:
- longitudinal – the cutter moves parallel to the axis of rotation;
- transverse - the cutter moves perpendicular to the axis of rotation;
- angular (tangential) – the cutter moves at an arbitrary angle to the axis of rotation.
What method to use is decided by the master, based on the goals that he faces.
Unusual products made from wood
Wood is a unique material, and anything can be made from it. Those who believe that wood is needed only for construction or furniture production are greatly mistaken. Sometimes things made from wood are simply amazing. A table lamp, a case for a camera or laptop, a joystick for a game console or, for example, a coffee machine.
All these things look very elegant and give their entire surroundings a unique charm. And how stylish a wooden bathtub looks, and how pleasant it is to take it. But the fantasies of craftsmen are unlimited. What is the cost of a wooden bicycle or a car (!), the body of which is also made of wood. This model will look worthy among the most expensive cars in the world.
But these are all works of experienced masters who have devoted many years to this art. We will look at several products that anyone who has decided to seriously work with wood can do.
DIY wooden spoons
In Rus', wooden spoons have been made for centuries. And today, making wooden spoons is not only a useful activity. In addition to a beautiful decorative item, the master also receives great satisfaction from the process itself.
Choosing a tree, making a blank, turning it on a lathe, decorating it and as a result getting an exclusive item is a fascinating experience, especially for beginners.
Important!
It is best to take hardwood, but not scratchy - aspen, maple, ash, cherry, birch, walnut. For complete beginners, it is better to start with linden; it is soft and pliable.
Next you need to do the following:
- draw a picture of the future spoon, then transfer it to a wooden blank;
- using a lathe to perform rough turning;
- polish the workpiece;
- using flat chisels and a grinding wheel, shape the workpiece;
- using semicircular chisels, cut out the inner cup-shaped part;
- cut off all excess;
- sand with sandpaper;
- make a drawing on the handle of the spoon;
- use a special knife to carve the handle;
- soak with wax or any varnish, but if the spoon is intended to be used for food, then with hot linseed oil.
Making spoons with your own hands allows you to acquire skills in working with a machine and other tools, as well as feel how wood behaves.
Sharpening a wooden ring
Wooden rings can be used for various purposes, both as part of furniture decor, round mirrors or cornices, and as an independent decoration.
To turn a wooden ring, you will need a special chisel, which has two cutting edges, one straight and the second (side) semicircular. Turning should start from the end of the workpiece:
- fix the workpiece in the machine and grind along the entire length, leaving an allowance of 2-3 mm;
- point the chisel inside the cylinder with the side edge facing you, the depth of insertion of the cutter should slightly overlap the cross-sectional diameter of the ring itself;
- deepen into the workpiece and sharpen until a semicircular profile is formed inside the cylinder;
- Bring the chisel to the outside of the workpiece and, using gentle pressure from yourself, cut out the outer profile of the ring.
Having separated one ring, you can begin to grind the next one. Using one chisel allows you to obtain the required cross-section of the rings.
Apple and beech wine glass
To make a simple wine glass on a lathe, you will also need a chisel with two cutting edges.
To grind out the bowl of a wine glass, a lateral semicircular cutter is used. But if, in the case of turning rings, the axis of the cutting edge must be strictly parallel to the axis of rotation, then to give the bowl the desired shape, the cutter is tilted at the appropriate angle.
To carve the stem of a wine glass, you need to use a straight cutter on the outside of the product. The desired shape is given by smoothly pressing the workpiece, according to the template.
Reference! It is better to use durable wood as a material, for example, beech or apple tree.
Beech is an ideal species for making tableware. It has high plasticity, at the same time, it is very durable, not inferior to oak. In addition, beech has antibacterial properties.
Apple tree is also a hardwood. Products made from well-dried apple trees never crack or warp.
Making a box
Turning a box is not a very difficult task. You will need a cylindrical workpiece and a chisel with semicircular, straight and triangular cutters:
- the workpiece installed in a lathe is processed with a semicircular cutter to give it a rounded shape;
- then, using a narrow straight cutter, the internal cavity is turned out, and this must be done in steps, in several passes;
- The internal cavity is expanded with a triangular cutter to the thickness of the walls, after which the bottom is leveled with a straight wide cutter;
- Final sanding and varnish application is carried out.
Next, the box can be decorated, and this can be done with anything: rhinestones, beads, beads, etc., any decorative elements will do.
Carving homemade chess is as easy as shelling pears!
To make a chess piece, you will need a small blank, for example, 50x50 mm. One of the sides will need to be ground down to a section of 40x40 mm and inserted into the chuck. To make the workpiece round, you need to remove a small layer with a cutter.
Next, according to the template, the desired figure is turned. What type it will be depends on the imagination of the master.
At the end of turning, the figure must be sanded and all excess cut off. Then paint it black or white and seal it with varnish. Exclusive handmade chess is ready!
Off-center glass
It's very beautiful and stylish. And making such a wine glass is also not very difficult. To do this you need:
- place the workpiece in the lathe and do rough processing;
- drill a hole in the end, free the center of the wood and use a triangular cutter to set the internal shape of the wine glass;
- repeat the inner shape on the outside;
- now you need to shift the center of rotation by a few degrees using one of the 3 cams and continue turning;
- align the product to its original position and machine another segment, you get 2 segments, machined relative to each other, not in the center;
- shift the center of rotation using the second cam and machine another displaced segment;
- repeat again at the initial position of the center of rotation;
- sand, cut off excess.
All that remains is to decorate the resulting wine glass, and it will become a wonderful gift and decoration for any interior.
Devices for fastening wooden workpieces
The most commonly used device for fastening blanks is a driving chuck. Most often, two types of such devices are used for wood turning.
The first version of such a device is a cartridge with teeth. The workpiece is secured in such a device as follows: you should drill a small hole in the marked center of the blank, insert the central tooth of the chuck into it, of course, having first removed it (the chuck) from the spindle, after which you should lightly hit the shank of the device, thereby driving the remaining teeth into wood.
To read: Studying the operation of a CNC laser machine for wood
In this way, the location for installing the blank in the cartridge is marked. We install it on the spindle, after which we install the workpiece according to the markings, press the tailstock quill - you can start turning the wood.
The second option for driving a wooden block is to use a faceplate. This device is a metal round disk. In the middle there is a hole for putting on and attaching to the lathe spindle.
Through holes are located in the correct order over the entire area of the disk. Through these holes, the workpiece is attached to the faceplate with bolts or screws (self-tapping screws). First you need to mark the center of the workpiece, and then install it. You can’t do without using a faceplate when you need to turn the wood of the end of a workpiece, and you can’t use the tailstock for stop.
Safety precautions when working with the unit
It is important to remember that before you start working, you must study the rules and safety measures very carefully.
Important!
Improper handling of the lathe can cause injury!
Basic Rules:
- before turning on the machine, you need to check its grounding and serviceability at idle speed;
- you only need to work in special clothing;
- eyes must be protected with goggles or a mask, and if necessary, wear a respirator;
- firmly fix the workpiece exactly in the center;
- when working, do not put pressure on the part, movements should be smooth;
- do not measure a rotating part;
- do not leave the machine during operation;
- do not use defective workpieces (with cracks);
- do not pass or take any objects through a working machine;
- do not stop the workpiece by braking with your hand;
- do not start work when tired;
- Do not approach the machine while intoxicated.
This is the main thing, but not everything you need to know before starting work. If you are not confident in carrying out any operation, then under no circumstances should you start it. It is necessary to consult with a specialist, and only then begin work. This will help avoid accidents and injuries.
