Making Standard Cuts - RIDGID WL1200 Owner's Manual

Making Standard Cuts

The Roughing-off Cut
Reducing a square or odd-shaped workpiece down to a
cylinder of approximate size for finish turning is called
"Roughing-off". Faceplate turning and large diameter
spindles should first be partly reduced by sawing but
small spindles are easily turned down entirely with the
large (3/4-in.) gouge.
Start the first cut about 2-in. from tailstock end - then run
it toward the tailstock and off the end of the workpiece.
Next, start another cut 2-in. nearer the headstock - and
run it, also, toward tailstock, to merge with first cut. Con-
tinue in this manner until 2- to 4-in. from the headstock
end, then reverse the direction of tool travel and work one
or two cuts in succession toward the headstock, and off
this end of the workpiece. NOTE: Never start a cut directly
at the end -if the chisel catches the end, it will damage the
workpiece. Never take long cuts while corners remain on
the work, as this tends to tear long slivers from the cor-
ners.
First Cuts
The first series of cuts should not be too deep. It is better
to partially reduce the work to a cylinder all along its
length; then start a second series of cuts to complete re-
ducing it to a cylinder. Once a cylinder has been formed,
step lathe up to the next faster speed. Further reductions
in size can now be carried out by cutting as deeply as de-
sired at any spot along the work. At this stage, long cuts,
from the center off either end, can also be taken. Rough-
Testing Roundness
ing-off generally is continued until the cylinder is approxi-
mately 1/8-in larger than the desired finish size.
Roundness can be tested by laying the gouge on top of
the work - it will not ride up and down when cylinder is per-
fectly round.
Rough-cutting To Size
The roughing-off cut can be made to accurately size the
cylinder to a given diameter.
Another method is to make a number of sizing cuts at
intervals along the work, then use the gouge to reduce
the whole cylinder down to the diameter indicated by
these cuts.
Making Sizing Cuts
A Sizing Cut
Sizing cuts are useful to establish approximate finish-size
diameters at various points along a workpiece. The work
can then be turned down to the diameters indicated - and
be ready for finishing. Diameters for sizing cuts should be
planned to be about 1/8-in. greater than the desired finish
diameters.
A sizing cut is made with the parting tool. Hold the tool in
one hand, and use the other hand to hold an outside cali-
per preset to the desired sizing-cut diameter. As the cut
nears completion, lower the chisel point more and more
into a scraping position. When the calipers slip over the
workpiece at the cut, the cut is finished.
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