Club Meeting: 19 August 2026
Report by: Jacqui Oxenbridge
The journey all started at Turnfest this year with Len Mengel’s demo showing alternatives to wobble chucks.
Other inspiration came from Eli Avisera with his turned wine bottle and balance glasses and Radek Teterycz’s extreme turning where most of his work is done on the lathe – worth a look on Facebook or Instagram.
Part one of the demo will be showing the use of Colin’s Vicmarc Eccentric Chuck with a 40mm cup chuck and ball. He also has a separate ball (gimbal) that can attach to a Faceplate.
To use the “eccentric chuck” we first need to shape a taper that will fit in the ball/gimbal but not bottom out in the chuck. The gimbal can be moved inside the cup chuck when the appropriate grub screws are loosened off. Note: the blank is held in only by friction.
The chuck is a little confusing with multiple grub screws requiring different Allen keys. Some are marked with a line – these have a pin on the end which can go through corresponding holes in the ball to hold it in position when it is square (straight). The other grub screws are flat and tighten the chuck to the outside of the gimbal at various positions when turning off centre.
Place the blank between centres – using a smaller drive centre with a Steb live centre so if have a catch the mini drive centre point does less damage to the blank.
Round off the blank sufficiently that a taper can be made. To help ensure the taper is going into the ball/gimbal square, and how far in the taper has gone, can draw lines on the blank.
Push the taper in to the chuck/gimbal. If too large, turn more off the taper. Use a mallet to seat the blank tightly.
Tighten up the grub screws on the chuck to secure the gimbal.
Put the chuck on the lathe – note that the chuck has a dedicated thread.
Bring up the tailstock, begin to shape the blank.
When the tailstock is removed to true up the end, and as you hollow the end grain with a spindle gouge to make the goblet REMEMBER to avoid aggressive cuts across the blank as it is relatively easy to pull the blank out of the chuck.
Once the goblet is hollowed, if desired, it is possible to use the tailstock in the hollow to stabilise the blank while cutting the outside shape of the goblet/stem/foot. Use a skew and spindle gouge to shape.
Ideally, you will know what shape you want to make before you start turning – it can be helpful to have a photo or drawing of your intended shape.
Once the goblet is complete, carefully sand and finish it as it is difficult to recentre the piece once you start off centre turning.
Now loosen off the screws on the chuck that are holding the gimbal in place so that the blank can be shifted. The movement is small and it is important to check that the base of the goblet is over the centre of the next section that will be turned. To check, move to where you think it should be, tighten 2 screws in the chuck to the gimbal and rotating the blank, draw a line to allow you to approximate where the centre will be. Once in the correct position tighten all the grub screws holding the gimbal in place.
Start to turn but before going too far, check the pencil mark again. There must be some of the pillar remaining to support the top cup. Adjust the position if required.
Working away from the goblet bring the next section into round. Use a spindle gouge and skew to remove surplus timber in the grooves. Once the desired shape is complete carefully sand this section only – do not attempt to sand the 1st goblet.
Repeat the process moving the blank, checking where centre is, turn the section – ideally keeping the diameter of each shape the same, sand.
Two things are important for success – your tools are very sharp and the timber has a straight grain and low tendency to split. Gingko was a good choice.
Sorby also have a Wobble Chuck which uses standard 50mm jaws. In this chuck the piece in the jaws rotates so changing the angle of the piece. The angle can be repeated so that less guesswork is required as to where to move the blank. This also has a worm screw to retain the work, or the screw can be removed and the faceplate attached to larger blanks.
Part two of the demo will be making stacked cups without a wobble chuck.
Mount the blank between centres, round off part of the blank. Turn a hemisphere (ball) on one end of the blank – this does not need to be super accurate but does have to have clearance so that it will fit into a set of jaws. For the demonstration used Nova 35mm spigot jaws with the serrated teeth for a powerful grip on the blank.
Put the turned ball into the spigot jaws. Can now adjust the position of the blank (ball and socket rotation).
The first time the blank is moved off centre it is possible to use the live centre in the tailstock to show where centre is to measure the offset. An alternative that could be use would be a laser pointer in the tailstock.
Start shaping the blank with a spindle gouge or for quicker bulk removal can use a skew or parting tool. Cut the length required for the first cup, continue until you get to the final diameter of the cup before start shaping the stem to avoid breaking the top off the cup! Once have shaped cup, stem and base – sand – very carefully.
Note: it is very important to have good light, contrasting colours on the lathe bed can be helpful.
Finish the top surface of the next section (closest to the headstock) before moving on to the next goblet.
Tilt the blank (tiny offset only). Where two “offsets” meet they will be angled at each other.
Use a pencil mark to work out approximately where centre is – needs to be under the existing cup. As with demo 1 – begin to cut but then check and reposition if necessary.
Tidy up the excess under the goblet foot with a skew or parting tool cutting in very carefully at an angle.
Aesthetically it is best to replicate the height of the goblets – could use a vernier to check.
Round off the same length tip to base as the first goblet then with a small spindle gouge or thin parting tool, shape the next goblet. Sand before changing the offset.
Repeat until you run out of blank, it breaks or you’ve got a piece you like!
