Robust Lathe Review - More Woodturning

Q&A Continued from Page9We surely welcome more detailed,specific questions about thehollowing process.—Lyle JamiesonWood ScrewsQuestion: I am new to thissite so I am sorry if this is dumbor been discussed before. I have ametal lathe and would like to makea large wood screw (say 2”)likethose used in a vise. I have triedcutting acme threads in oak but thewood was too chippy. Can this bedone on a lathe? What is the bestwood. Are there wood lathe attachments(I have a basic wood lathe)for cutting threads?—BobFred Responds: My book,“Making Screw Threads in Wood”describes how to layout and cutcoarse wood threads by hand. Thisis one option to achieve what youwant. If it is a long screw, it willbe difficult to maintain nice eventhreads when cutting them byhand.Since you have a metal lathe,I think it would work better if youcould replace your cutting tool onthe metal lathe with somethinglike a Dremel or similar tool with asquare ended cutter the width of thegroove in the thread you are tryingto cut. Then with the gearing set tocut the thread you want, you shouldbe able to (you might say) route thethreads as you slowly rotate thelathe by hand. As others have noted,the best wood for a 2” wood screwwould be English or EuropeanBoxwood. However, Eastern HardMaple would also work, but is notas strong as boxwood.—Fred HolderPage 10 More Woodturning February 2010Lyle Responds: Hand chasingthreads takes a bit of practice butits fun and worth the effort to getthe skill under your belt. HoweverI agree with Fred that the accuracyneeded for long screws would bemost difficult. Most large woodscrews I’ve seen have a significantflat at the top of each thread and widespacing between threads. This makesthe thread stronger. I would think,since you have the metal lathe, itwould be the best way to make themaccurately. I would think any dense,non porous hardwood would work.The porous grain of oak would notbe good for threading.Whatever method you end upwith make sure you keep the toolssharp...very sharp at all times.—Lyle JamiesonEditor’s Note: I thought the followinghad meaning worth sharing. Ihope you like it too!“The Man in the Glass”“When you get what you want inyour struggle for self“And the world makes you king fora day“Just go to a mirror and look atyourself“And see what that man has to say“For it isn’t your father or motheror wife“Whose judgment upon you mustpass,“The fellow whose verdict countsmost in your life“Is the one staring back from theglass.“Some people might think you’re astraight-shootin’ chum“And call you a wonderful guy.“But the man in the glass saysyou’re only a bum“If you can’t look him straight inthe eye.“He’s the fellow to please, nevermind all the rest“For he’s with you clear to the end“And you’ve passed your most dangeroustest“If the guy in the glass is yourfriend.“You may fool the whole worlddown the pathway of years“And get pats on the back as youpass“But your final reward will be heartacheand tears“If you’ve cheated the man in theglass.”Author Unknown