Method To Hold Flute on Tailstock End

[Flute Maker]

I turn flutes in 3/4 , 7/8 and 1"...I rout two pieces and glue them together to achieve the bore....Then I put the hollow 1 1/2" blank onto a mandrel and turn it round....Sometimes I need to put it back into the lathe for just a little bit and and want another method beside the mandrel...Mandrel works great but I am going to use a jamb chuck on the headstock (just a block of wood on a faceplate with turned down steps) but I need something simple for tailstock end.....Also if I didnt rout quite deep enough and I am a little undersize I can split the thin flute when I put it back on the mandrel....So I just need something simple on the tailstock end to hold the flute for sanding , putting burnlines etc. I have begun boring some but still do some this way.... Thanks !!

 

[CarvedTones]

Mike,

If you use a steady center that is dead on center, you can use your live center even though the point isn't touching anything. The steady will make a mark on the outside surface though unless the steady has really soft wheels and you are turning hardwood. Even then, it will likely polish it a little.

 

[NCTurner]

Same thing you do on the headtock, but slip the step over the live center instead.

 

[Mike Davis]

Maybe something like this turned to fit your flute?

 

[Makinsawdust]

Wouldn't a cone center work? Because of it's shape it would hold the flute centered and not leave any damage. Here's a review of the Oneway cone system by NC WW'er Tom Hintz. Maybe it will give you some ideas.

 

[Mike Davis]

Because the flute is thin walled the cone tends to push it apart. My first attempt was ruined in this manner, split it wide open. A snug fitting cylinder with a step flange works much better.

 

[Gunslinger]

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I don't know if it would work or not but I make custom "points" for

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my Nova live center and use the threaded insert. It's quick to turn any center you want and I use t-nuts to make them reusable. The rubber ball type may work for you?

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[Makinsawdust]

Because the flute is thin walled the cone tends to push it apart. My first attempt was ruined in this manner, split it wide open. A snug fitting cylinder with a step flange works much better.

I was thinking more of using the reversed one. I don't how big the flutes are. The diameter may not be large enough to use the reverse one.