Use and Care Manual

TO SHAPE THE INSIDE OF THE BOWL
Stop the lathe and move the tailstock away. Adjust the tool rest in front of the bowl just below the cen-
terline at a right angle to the lathe’s turning axis. Rotate the workpiece by hand to check for clearance.
Start by lightly shearing across the top of the workpiece from rim to center. Place a bowl gouge on the
tool rest at the center of the workpiece with the flute facing the top of the bowl. The tool handle should
be level and pointed toward the four o’clock position.
Use the left hand to control the cutting edge of the gouge, while the right hand swings the tool handle
around towards your body. The flute should start out facing the top of the workpiece, rotating it up
-
wards as it moves deeper into the bowl to maintain a clean and even curve. As the tool goes deeper
into the bowl, progressively work outwards towards the rim of the bowl. It may be necessary to turn
the tool rest into the piece as you get deeper into the bowl.
NOTE: Try to make one light continuous movement from the rim to the bottom of the bowl to ensure a
clean, sweeping curve through the piece. Should there be a few small ridges left, a light cut with a large
domed scraper can even out the surface.
Develop the preferred wall thickness at the rim and maintain it as you work deeper into the bowl (once
the piece is thin toward the bottom, you cannot make it thinner at the rim). When the interior is fin
-
ished, move the tool rest back to the exterior to re-define the bottom of the bowl. Work the tight area
around the face plate or the chuck with a bowl gouge. Begin the separation with a parting tool, but do
not cut all the way through.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Keep your machine clean. At the end of each day, clean the machine. Wood contains moisture, meaning
that sawdust and wood chips can cause rust if not removed. Regular oil attracts dust and dirt. Teflon
lubricant tends to dry and has less of a tendency to accumulate dirt and saw dust. Periodically check
that all nuts and bolts are tight.
DRIVE BELT
The drive belt should last for many years depending on usage, but it needs to be inspected regularly for
cracks, cuts and general wear. If damage is found, replace the belt before operation.
BEARINGS
All bearings are sealed for life and don’t require any maintenance. If bearing becomes faulty, replace it.
RUST
The lathe is made from steel and cast iron. All non-painted surfaces will rust if not protected. It is rec-
ommended that they are protected by applying a light coat of good-quality paste wax to the surfaces to
guard against rust and corrosion.
OPERATION
MAINTENANCE
WARNING: Disconnect the machine from the power source before making any maintenance
or adjustments. Failure to do so may result in serious injury.
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