No Chuck? No Problem! | Article


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Home > Gluing & Clamping Techniques > No Chuck? No Problem!

No Chuck? No Problem!

A number of lathe turning projects require that you turn a spindle without the benefit of a tailstock being in place to support the end. Things like tops, goblets and candleholders all require unsupported turning. Using cyanoacrylate (CA) glue, you can do this work even if you don't have a specialty chuck.

First, mount a faceplate and round dummy board on your lathe. Make concentric circles on the board so you can easily position your material in the center of the disc.

	Spritz a little activator onto the dummy board. The activator helps the glue grab faster so you won’t have to hold the board in position very long.
	Apply a bead of thick CA glue to the end grain of your spindle. Notice that I've marked the square spindle's position on the dummy board so I can easily position it correctly.
	Seat the spindle against the dummy board and hold it in place for a few seconds.
	With the tailstock in place, rough the spindle to shape. After the spindle has been shaped you can remove the tailstock and gently complete the turning, including working on the unsupported end.