RPM's

1/21/05, 5:19 PM #1

Mike Gonzalez
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RPM's

Mike Gonzalez

>I am new to turning, and am wonderong what RPM's are good for what kind of working. I have read that when turning square stock to round you should use a lower RPM like around 500-600? Does this sound right, and when do I need to turn up the RPM? Thanks Mike

Re: RPM's

1/21/05, 5:29 PM #2

john lucas
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20,176 posts

Registered: 1/1/04

Re: RPM's

John Lucas

>Mike

Turn at whatever speed is comfortable to you and the lathe. When turning an out of balance piece you should use a slow speed. Just use your best judgement. You can always go slow no matter what your turning but can get in trouble when you speed the piece up. As you gain skill and understand your lathe better you will naturally turn at faster RPM's.

Re: RPM's

1/21/05, 7:23 PM #3

Gary in Zirconia,NC
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Re: RPM's

Gary in Zirconia,NC

>Also, the larger the diameter and the more out of balance the piece is, the slower you should turn it. Be sure it is fastened to the lathe securly. When you turn on the lathe, always be ready to turn it off if there is too much vibration as the lathe speeds up.

Re: RPM's

1/21/05, 7:33 PM #4

Richard Allen
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Registered: 1/2/04

Re: RPM's

Richard Allen

>For sound wood that is balanced and securely mounted on the lathe the rule of thumb for max RPM is diameter times rpm shoudl be less than 9000. I have als heard that the surface speed should be under 30 MPH if you which to do the math.

I usualy start off slow and increase the speed to a comfortable speed. But my lath has a dial I can turn to adjust the speed.

If you move a belt to adjest the spped then start off slow until you become comfortable with the speed.

Always stay out of the line of fire when turning on the lathe.

Remember that the lathe can KILL you. Most power tools can mame you but the lathe can mame and kill you. You won't care what the RPMs are if you are dead.

Good Luck

- - -

I have been turning wood for about 12 years now. I consume about 20 hours a week in front of the lathe making primarly bowls and platters. I keep thinking about making other "stuff" on the lathe, and ocasionaly I even get beyond the thinking part. But I take the most pleasure in bowls and platters. I have most every tool availble for the lathe but I am always looking for a new tool. More than looking for a new tool I am looking for a new hunk of wood. While a corner woodworker (sometimes called flat woodworker) can never have enough clamps, I find most woodturners can never have enough turning stock. The woodturning club I belong to has a Christmas party each year and part of that party is a "grab bag". We bring in a turning, that is judged by the people who come to the party. The people who make the top three turnings get prizes (like sandpaper or a tool). The real prize though is the exchange of turnings that comes from this colection of turnings. Some of my most cherished turned objects are the ones I have recieved from these grab bags.

Re: RPM's

1/22/05, 1:21 AM #5

Mike Gonzalez
Guest

Thank you

Mike Gonzalez

>

Re: RPM's

1/22/05, 5:38 AM #6

Bapa
Guest

Re: RPM's *LINK*

Bapa

>Mike

I would suggest you check out Alan Lancer's web site. He has a nice article on speed and explains it well.

Speed is relative, your comfort level; I turn on the lower RPMs (800 to 1400) and another turner will turn the same piece at higher RPMs (1200 to 2000). How fast, what RPM?? - feel - equipment - etc, all will tell you your comfort level.

The link is to the article on speed but take the time to check out his web site... it contains a lot of information.

Have Fun

Bapa

http://alanlacer.com/articles/speed_zone.html

Re: RPM's

1/22/05, 6:02 AM #7

Mike Gonzalez
Guest

Thank you

Mike Gonzalez

>Wow! Great site. Tons of great information. Thanks.

RPM's

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