Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
Re: Lauren turning spheres
Dave Delo
Was wondering how long it would take you to chime in on this subject Dick. +1 what you said about the Berger Sphere Caliper. Easy to learn and gives the results "us" weekend hackers are looking for. Not to say it's better or worse than other methods, just another way to skin the cat. Here's a 3.5" maple one I did the other day and will buff it up over the weekend.
Re: Lauren turning spheres
Keith Tompkins
Thanks David! 
Re: Lauren turning spheres
Bill Blasic
Dick I do believe the big Vermec will do about 11"
Re: Lauren turning spheres
John K Jordan
>Dick I do believe the big Vermec will do about 11"
From the table on the Vermec web site, it appears the maximum sphere diameter depends on the size of the jig and the lathe.
A lathe with a 12" swing would allow turning an 11" sphere, one with a 10" swing (PM3520) would be limited to about 7-1/2", and the midi jig that fits the Jet 1642 can handle about 7".
JKJ
Re: Lauren turning spheres
Ric Taylor
John, unless I'm missing something the swing on a PM3520 is 20".
Re: Lauren turning spheres
bowlman
Yep, you are right. I made a mistake! Another in a long line of blunders. I tried converting CM to Inches in my head ...
Re: Lauren turning spheres
John K Jordan
>John, unless I'm missing something the swing on a PM3520 is 20".
I said it wrong! I should have said "center height" like Vermec said, or radius instead of swing. The 3520 has a 10" (actually 10.25") radius, will turn 20" diameter over the bed.
Maybe I have a good excuse for mental confusion. Drugged up from painful bruised ribs and twisted knee. My horse decided to buck like crazy and I ended up on the ground yesterday. It was probably a drop of at least 6 ft to land flat on my chest. I always heard that old people should avoid falls, I guess that applies to getting thrown from the horse too! I jumped, er, climbed back into the saddle and road another hour or so and he was fine. I'll try not to do anything that involves numbers when medicated. :-)
JKJ
