What causes the little defects in my final finish. Most of the plug is smooth and then I almost always have this little section of non smooth woodd. I have been turning with pine till I get better. I have even done some in mahogany and maple that also have this problem. Like I said most of it is smooth but I seem to have this small section that is rough by the growth rings.

Thanks,

Kevin

The cure = sandpaper

Metal I know but wood I am no expert but I think it's the grain of the wood. Happens to me in pine all the time. I try to leave a finish cut. Don't rip, hog off, the stock too close to final size. If you leave a few light passes at the end it should end up smoother.

what kind of wood is that?
If it is oak or another open grained wood, you will need more than just sandpaper, you'll need filler. Try sanding the wood better, then prime with a high solids primer and sand again, sometimes the primer after a coat or 2 will fill small pitting like you have there.

When you spin the wood on the lathe , do it at the fastest speed and use sharp tools, go slow so as not to have huge chunks of tearout.

Thanks Guys,

Believe it or not this is after 150 then 220. The wood type on this particular turning was pine cut from an old 2x4. I do need to try to leave a finish cut when I get near the end. I always turn the lathe at the fastest speed but think I need to get my tools a little sharper as I have noticed that makes a big differance. I'll have to try all the above on Friday after I eat and :cheers: the day away tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Sand with like an 80 grit and then drop down to 120 then apply wook filler then again with 120 and down to like 220 and you'll be golden.

Armand

Armand is right, you can't just start off with 150. If the wood is very rough, then start with an 80 grit or if it's not too bad go with 100 clothback paper. I find the clothback paper lasts longer.

scraping with a dull tool in soft wide grain pine,,, your getting short splinter's instead of shaving's.

Your tool is tearing away the wood, rather than cutting it. You are probably using a scraper rather than a skew, or else the skew is too dull, but I think your real problem is the wood itself. Common building lumber "2x4s" are not pine, they're spruce (I think). Unfortunately, they're too soft and loose grained for smooth turning although they work fine for throw away bluefish fodder (they won't hold screw eyes though). I suspect if you change your stock you'll solve your problem. Good luck.