On Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:15:56 -0700, Tim Wescott
wrote:

Think prop spinner for a model airplane (is this sounding familiar?)

Assuming that I'm not turning from solid (oh, it sure is!), how hard is
this going to be on a Smithy-sized lathe (7" swing over the ways, cheap
Chinese construction). I'm thinking that I'd use soft aluminum, no
thicker than 50 mil and probably more like 30 or 40.

I've never spun metal before, but I've seen videos so I know I'll be
able to do it with hand-made tools, like a pro, the very first time.

While we're on the subject -- how do you spin a piece that's rounded on
the end? Make a dimple in your sheet, then spin down from there?
You've got to have some surface area on the tail stock, don't you?


We build spinning machines for all sorts of applications.
What you are attempting will take lots of trail and error for sure.
Here is a link of a spinning machine we retrofitted.
http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...nt=Spinvid.mp4

If I can be of help get in touch

db