newb questions

[dubdrvrkev]

Okay, as I am turning my first little thing I have came up with a few questions mostly about RPM.
How should I determine what RPM I should be running at?
Is there a general rule that pertains to RPM vs tool?
How do I determine what tool to use to do what cut?
When sanding and/or buffing what RPM is correct?
I have a few rough spots that I cant get rid of like the grain is standing up. Should I fill it with CA and then smooth or...??

Where is a good place to get grinding wheels and what grits should they be? I picked up a grinder on sale at sears for $59 for an 8" so I think that was a decent price.

TIA

[DaveZ]

How should I determine what RPM I should be running at

Listen to your lathe, she will complain if you are goin to fast for what's on there.


Is there a general rule that pertains to RPM vs tool

Yes, they all work better faster than slower


How do I determine what tool to use to do what cut

Books, lessons, maybe even Bill G's DVD.


When sanding and/or buffing what RPM is correct?

I generally sand 500 and under and buff at 1750 or so


I have a few rough spots that I cant get rid of like the
grain is standing up. Should I fill it with CA and then
smooth or...??

I generally try lacquer first and CA second, CA can stain so you have to watch it. Also as you get time in on your tools, it becomes easier to get rid of (not always though ;) )


Where is a good place to get grinding wheels and what grits
should they be? I picked up a grinder on sale at sears for
$59 for an 8" so I think that was a decent price.

I think my woodcraft grinder has 1 60g and one 120g.

You will find yourself turning up the RPM's as you gain experience. I find myself on bowls usually around 700 to 1000 rpm and spindle stuff as high as she goes, (of course depends on size)

My dos centavos

[Yak]

Darn Dave thats good!

[dubdrvrkev]

Thanks.
I was hollowing at 800 and then bumped her up to 1200 and everything still was going fine but I didn't know if that was too high. I was thinking that when I was using the scraper at higher speed it would give a better finish and that seemed to help my rough spots but I'll have to go through my sanding again to see if I can get them out.

[BigDaddy]

I generally work on 8" x 3" diameter bowls when i'm doing my work .. and yes, the lathe will definately tell you when the speed is too high .. the biggest problem with this is during initial roughing .. that's where you really want to check the speed ..

once my bowls are true, i will start adjusting speed a little bit, I find that if i'm running too slow, you will see the cut lines when your shaping your bowl, meaning that your moving the tool across the wood too fast, that's when you start adjusting the speed ..

i sometimes move up to about 1200 or maybe a little more once the bowl is true and I am hollowing ..

as for hollow forms though .. I don't know .. I'm going to try my first one soon :)