Plate turning question

Re: Plate turning question

Not in my shop would that happen, sounds like an accident waiting to happen to me 

Re: Plate turning question

The 'blue tape trick' is a commonly used method of work-holding. It provides a good hold, is easy to remove, and leaves behind no glue residue. It is a good substitute for double-sided tape.

Is it sufficient for face work on the lathe? That depends on several factors. But, in general, if double-sided tape would be sufficient, so, too, would the blue tape trick. Note: For increased hold, you could use regular masking tape instead of blue painter's tape.

HTH

David

Re: Plate turning question

There is not a universal answer to that being a safe method. Variables such as; face plate size, contact area of the wood blank, speed setting, quality of blue tape, use of tailstock, and finally operators skills and level of aggression when turning. Personally, I would not do it. It's so easy to glue on a block of wood and turn that off the blank, that I would not want to try and do something risky.

Re: Plate turning question

I do a lot of double face tape turning of small items (thinking less than 4" across).  Even at that small size, a little bit of aggressiveness will either move the item on the tape or flick it off the tape.  Blue tape is low tack and not very strong.  It would be easy to rip and easy to release.  I would not do it for turning a plate.  While beige tape is tackier, it is still very weak from tearing.  Wouldn't do that either.

Plate turning holding options:

• Chuck in mortise/recess
• Glue block on faceplate or chuck
• vacuum chuck (this is how I do plates)
• 2-faced tape (not for me)
• pinched between a flat faceplate or mandrel and the tailstock - carve/sand off the tailstock nub

Re: Plate turning question

My double-sided tape experience doesn't duplicate yours. I end up turning off the waste block since I can't pry it apart. I always put the pieces under high compression for at least a couple of minutes before using which increases the bond strength significantly.

As always, regardless of method, bringing up the tailstock against the piece for as long as possible provides a huge safety benefit.

Bill

Re: Plate turning question

Maybe I have deluded myself to think I put a couple of minutes of pressure on the tape.  I'm always the impatient one.  Deliberate tailstock pressure is the next thing to try.

Re: Plate turning question

Plenty of different types of double-sided tape with varying degrees of tackiness.

Very True - another factor to consider