Basic Vega Set-Up Question
 

Is the top tip of the cutter supposed to be exactly inline with the center of the turning axis for the best performance?

Yes
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Thanks. Having unexpected trouble with hard maple, even with a new cutter.

try rounding the edges with a rasp while it's on the lathe, that might help make the cuts easier. That's helped me a lot.

Hmm i was told it is suppose to be slightly above center by 1/8 inch.
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I go right on center....and try to take less wood until you get it rounded out
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I was above center about 1/32" or 1/16" and just fine-tuned it to be dead-center and it eliminated the problem -- which was burnishing instead of easily cutting into the hard maple when getting down to about 1/4".

Thanks for for the feedback.

Here's a tip. The revolving material above center is coming towards you. Anything below center is going away from you. You can only cut material that is coming at you.

By setting your cutter right on center you accomplish 2 things.

1. You cut the material as it comes towards you.
2. Everything below center allows for clearance for your cutter


If your cutter is above center the negative clearance on the cutter is negated and the tool drags.

Yup!
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I always thought a shade under was better?
…either way I have my pulled back a shade and like it.

Slightly under center is the preferred location I use for plugs and baseball bats. Vega reccommends center or slightly under center axis. Never above unless you have the cutter mounted on the opposite side, upside down.

A little trick for the harder woods. With a router table you set up a corner bit and set your fence so as to take the corners off your plug banks.
With a table saw set your blade at 45% and your fence so as to just take the corners off your blanks. Be sure to use a good blade and push sticks to keep your fingers out of the way. Most of the smaller lathes don't have the power to keep the rpms up that is needed with harder woods this causes the bits to catch an dig into the wood. I do this on some of the harder birch,maple,mahogany and woods like epa. I learned this trick making reel seat inserts for some of the high end fly rods I do.

Thanks Bill & others.

Ron:
I use a self-centering vise for my small drill press so I rely on the squared ends...though I suppose if I just shaved the corners it wouldn't make a difference. I'll try it by angling the table on the band saw. Ipe is some seriously hard wood. I gave up on it because I couldn't control the leaking tannins on plugs that got too hot.

One of these days you gotta come up and I' show you my set up. A couple of things that i do make a big difference on turning. Ron

Does the vise itself tilt? If working off the square ends I think you would be fine with just a fence (even if you knock off the edges).

No, that vise doesn't tilt.

I angled my bandsaw 45 degrees, set the fence and shaved the corners off my last hard maple turn. Added time but less wear on the cutter, I suppose.

I also maxed the speed on my lathe -- didn't notice much difference there.
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I remember the ist lathe I used in high school-LOL- yes I can remeberthat far back. It was a big old Delta-rockwell.We turned baseball bats for ourselves that never would have met todays rules.The ist plugs I turned were little ones and I had to be carefull as the thing ate wood real fast. It had a 3 horse motor on it. We had to hand sharpen the bit for it. Some of the bowl makers I know gave up on the mini and midi as there just isn't enough power to do what they need. Harder woods like maple,mahogany an birch are a hard turn for a midi.You go to 1 hp or bigger well things change.I'm looking at a couple to upgrade to now as it will make a huge difference. They aren't cheap either LOL.More power is the real fix.

I'd like that, sending PM.

It's cheaper top replace the insert on your lathe tool than to replace the band saw blade.

Set up my new Vega today, 1/16th under, awesome..... great thread. Ran a test piece after eyeballing it. .004 off from one end to the other, i think that is acceptable.
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That's awesome -- congrats'. What do you plan on turning first?

Already turned 20 of the new metals lips i tested a few weeks back. Swims amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl5V...ature=youtu.be


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Man, very cool. The music had me smiling.

I don't know metal lip variants too well. Is that a Danny type?

That huge needle is awesome, cool walking action -- nice work.

Surfster type
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Cutting tool should be set to center line.

Use a table saw at 45-deg to knock the corners off the stock. Provided the stock is square self centering jigs still work just fine. Take a deep enough cut and it will help keep the edges from slamming the cutting tool. An octagon is best is you can do it. Cut to desired length afterwards.

Makes a lot of sawdust, but a decent carbide blade will have no trouble making the cut. Trimmings make for wicked decent kindling.

I've ripped down a pallet of 1.5"x1.5" 8' stock in an evening so it doesn't take much effort but saves a lot of grief at the lathe. Just use push sticks and hang on to your fingers - you might need them later...