Turning Stem Stock Question

hazmat · Post by **hazmat** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:24 pm

When turning stem stock, what is the recommended RPM that the lathe should be set to?

marks · Post by **marks** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 9:31 pm

I usually turn at a pretty slow rpm for most of my passes, and for the last couple of passes, I go faster, to provide a smoother finish. I mostly use acrylic, and if you use too fast an rpm early, you tend to do about as much melting as cutting, so that is why I use lower rpms till very near the end.

Post by **Tyler** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:22 am

For vulcanite, I drill as slowly as my lathe will go, and I turn as fast as my tool will allow without burning the material. How fast that is depends largely on how sharp the tool is. A sharp tool and a fast RPM can make for a really nice finish right off the lathe.

Tyler

marks · Post by **marks** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 8:52 am

Tyler wrote:For vulcanite, I drill as slowly as my lathe will go, and I turn as fast as my tool will allow without burning the material. How fast that is depends largely on how sharp the tool is. A sharp tool and a fast RPM can make for a really nice finish right off the lathe.

Tyler

Oh, yeah, sharp cutting tools help. I know what I'll be doing in the near future.... :think:

LexKY_Pipe · Post by **LexKY_Pipe** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:15 pm

I've followed Tyler's advice and get good finishes right off the lathe everytime.