Using wood on a metal lathe

I have often turned wood on my metal lathe ,it needs a very sharp high rake tool preferably a high speed and works best on hard woods. Colin

I've even used my mill as a big router. Spindle speed not as fast but it works.

Paul.

Seasoned oak on a mill takes the edge off HSS cutters quicker than steel would. Once you have turned wood on your lathe, give it a good clean up (especially wood with high tannin content - Oak) as it soon turns metal blue.

It depend on the shape you want to turn simple shape yes it would be possible, you may need to experiment with the tool height unless you make a tool rest and use hand tools.

Woodturning tools are normally used with a bevel and it ideally need to be rubbing just to the point of cutting to give a clean cut.

As also stated some woods have a high content of tannin so an immediate clean up is needed once finished.

If it is just a problem then finding someone into woodturning close to you to do the job. You can also find woodturning clubs worth a try there are many around the UK have a look HERE from the AWGB

What is it that you wish to turn.

This is something I know a little about you can see some of my work HERE

From a woodworker who also wants to get into model engineering

No Problem, I have used mine for large patterns as well as detailed parts in exotic woods. If using the lathe to cut as you would with metal then a **GT insert works well and won't be blunted by most woods, if turning by hand with conventional woodturning tools then a bit of bar in the toolpost to use as a rest will do, longer term make a proper rest.

You're a real artist, Derek. I particularly like the lidded pot with the Chinese for "lucky" scribed on it. Your Chinese calligraphy is a whole lot better than mine.

Thank you Bill

The Raglan Little John lathe was actually supplied as a woodworking version. It had the 2 pole motor option, so operated at up to about twice the speed of the metal cutting versions. Presumably supplied with a suitable tool rest instead of a tool post.

The ones I have seen sold on epay have fetched mega bucks, so seemingly very much sought after.

One person, I know, bought a Raglan 5” which seemed to have been used more for wood turning than metalwork. It is in very good condition, so likely not used much for any metal cutting before he acquired it (and not for much wood turning, either).

Did a 10 minute wood job once

Took 2 hours to clean up the mess, it was EVERYWHERE, even floating about in the air

So be aware, and a mask should be worn

i often turn wood on our lathe at work mainly ebony as long as you clean it off it should be ok tends to soak up the oil and therefore quicken any rusting as far as i can tell

There are some woods that are best turned i a metal lathe, such as Australian Iron Bark, and use HSS tools, if you use carbon steel you'll be at the oil stone about every second cut. Ebony would be another one, also Lignum Viti.

Ian S C

Indeed. Most of the wide variety of work shown is of such a standard that I don't really feel qualified even to comment on it.

Thank you guys. I did not post it to show off my work in that sense but to show the OP that I was able to make a comment about his question on wood turning.

As stated some wood are very hard and even in the woodturning world we use carbide tipped tools. I have three which luckily don't need to get used that much.