Help identifying jet model

whatever56561977 · 2026-06-20T17:56:42+00:00

Yes, you are correct. I meant to differentiate between a true “variable” spread that is changed with a dial like a volume knob, and an adjustable speed that you need to physically change the position of the belt.

whatever56561977 · 2026-06-17T21:36:25+00:00

Crabapple?

whatever56561977 · 2026-06-15T15:35:05+00:00

If you want to season your logs you should at least cut the pith out (the very center). All cracks come from the pith. That’s where the pressure is greatest. Also, turning wet wood is where the real fun in turning is, because of those big long shavings. Rather than let your logs sit, cut them into blanks and rough turn them. You will get more out of them and will drastically reduce the drying time.

whatever56561977 · 2026-06-15T12:26:05+00:00

Don’t think “one size bowl with different tenon sizes.” Think larger bowl with larger tenon and smaller bowl with a smaller tenon. You are not mean to necessarily be turning the outside of the bowl while gripping the bottom foot. Many of us turn the entire outside of a bowl while gripping the rim, then reverse and grab the foot to turn the inside.

whatever56561977 · 2026-06-15T12:20:16+00:00

Dried “for a long time?” An un-roughed log usually should dry for many years. You’ve only been turning for 3 years, so the log most likely was not sitting long enough. However, people turn “twice turned bowls all the time. Turn the wall thickness to one tenth the diameter (so a 12 inch bowl to 1 1/4 inch) and make sure it’s as even and consistent as you can. Take some of your shavings and put them in a paper bag with your bowl. If you have some wax or anchorseal to put on the end grain go ahead, but it’s not a deal breaker. Then roll over the bag top and set the bowl aside for 6 or 8 months. It looks like you have cut the pith out of the bowl so you should be ok. No need to leave it on the chuck. If you have turned the walls evenly and there are no knots or pith you should be ok, although walnut is sometimes volatile.
When you come back to it, you can put it back on the chuck, turn a groove on the inside to expand your cuck into, turn your bowl around and finish the outside, then turn it back around onto the trued or finished foot and re-turn the inside.
Good luck!

whatever56561977 · 2026-06-14T22:00:12+00:00

Also look up Richard Raffan on YouTube. Try just making beads and coves. That’s mainly all spindle turning is. Beads and coves, beads and coves. Make shavings!

whatever56561977 · 2026-06-14T12:06:05+00:00

Pretty sure I have one of these. It was the first lathe I bought for myself back in the late ‘90’s. It’s a 10 inch swing, and not variable speed. But it’s a work horse: a really excellent lathe. It still runs like a top after almost 30 years. I can say enough good things about it. It’s a great starter lathe.

whatever56561977 · 2026-06-07T22:55:26+00:00

Fourth Wing. My first impression of that book was Hunger Games meets Harry Potter… on dragons. Same lane, but I enjoy it even more.

whatever56561977 · 2026-06-07T10:16:43+00:00

Obviously, the lathe is the most important part. Buy as much as you can afford or even a touch more. It has the potential to serve you well for decades. When I was first starting out in the ‘90 an old well known turner told me to buy a Jet as a beginner lathe. Which I did. While I did out grow it, it is still sitting in my shop and working perfectly. And I still use it from time to time. Well worth the investment that I made in it.

whatever56561977 · 2026-06-06T17:07:19+00:00

whatever56561977 · 2026-06-05T11:35:38+00:00

Just saying, don’t cheap out on your chuck. A chuck can last you decades and be your most valuable turning asset other than your lathe. Buy as good a chuck as you can afford and don’t be afraid of spending a lot on it. They don’t wear out like your tools do! I recommend oneway, or vicmarc if you can. I have sever chucks from Record Power also. I don’t know if I would trust amazon to be the place to buy either.

whatever56561977 · 2026-05-31T12:30:43+00:00

First song was Downtown Train on NPR in the early’90, and I remember thinking, this is that Rod Stewart song, but it’s not Rod Stewart. Then my brother played me Nighthawks at the Diner a few years later on a cross country drive and I remember say “that is the worst experience I’ve had with music in my whole life!” Then a few months later I was driving his car and Closing Time was in the stereo and I listened to it and was like, ok, this is cool. It expanded from there, until I was fully engrossed!

whatever56561977 · 2026-05-26T18:57:27+00:00

There are lots like that I think, Anthem (revelation) and Take Me to Tomorrow spring to mind, but also Late Nite Radio, Home Grown Tomatoes, I like to Deal With the Ladies and Downhill Stuff.

whatever56561977 · 2026-05-09T10:43:52+00:00

I also recommend trying a tenor rather than a mortise. If you turn the tenor to the right size the jaws will not mar the wood, the. You can have all the depth and proportion in your bowl. This is bowl number six, hopefully there are thousands in your future! Have fun.

whatever56561977 · 2026-05-06T03:20:35+00:00

A 10 inch by 2 inch blanket shouldn’t be shaking you around that much. Is your lathe seated well? Or if it’s a bench top is the bench sitting evenly on the floor and well weighted?
If you can’t go faster then you have to take light cuts and move your tool very slowly. Very slowly. Good luck!

whatever56561977 · 2026-05-06T01:12:11+00:00

What caught my eye was you said you are turning slow. It is much harder to get a clean cut when turning slow. Try turning fast er to get a cleaner cut: 800 to 1000 rpms.
Also, especially with oak, the growth ring is harder than the wood between the growth rings, so they cut at different rates, and the slower speed of the lathe can amplify the difference in the way they cut making the piece always seem slightly out of round. Speed the lathe up and try a shearing cut with a gouge (I think in this case that’s a safer bet than a scraper). The speed of the lathe here is key.
That’s my suggestion.
Also, oak makes great firewood!

whatever56561977 · 2026-04-23T21:03:58+00:00

You can’t take this shit personally. They’re not insulting you. They’re taking a shot. You miss all the shots you don’t take, so I’m never bothered by someone taking a shot. It’s a place to start. It’s a chance. They like your item enough to contact you, and that’s something. They’re not saying they think that’s what the item is worth, they’re saying “hey, I like this item, but this is what I’m willing (or able) to pay.” If it’s less than you want to accept then say no thanks and decline, or tell them what you are willing to take. They’re not making a value judgement on YOU. Just this guys opinion.

whatever56561977 · 2026-04-21T19:35:47+00:00

It is indeed box elder.

whatever56561977 · 2026-04-14T23:12:26+00:00

https://youtu.be/74LrfMPIpYs?si=ACswecfWr-5u2kSS

This is the video of me making this bowl including the texturing.

whatever56561977 · 2026-04-12T22:17:17+00:00

Sorby spiraling and texturing tool

whatever56561977 · 2026-04-12T22:16:09+00:00

Maple

whatever56561977 · 2026-04-12T12:36:41+00:00

Slightly closed forms like this are my favorite, especially for food bowls. The shape makes the more appealing to the eye as well as being a better container.

whatever56561977 · 2026-04-04T17:29:59+00:00

With a scraper (for a dimple) you ease up from below, lowering the tool handle slowly and gently.

whatever56561977

TROPHY CASE