Thanks guys. The Capital Area Woodturners were also a big help. They have two skill enhancement sessions each month, great teachers. Plus a class on pen turning at Woodcraft helped also. So big step forward on what to do after you have a lathe and a piece of wood.
Yes, the tips are Spintastic plastics. I have some Spintastic metal tips but will save them for when I get better and bigger.
I hope I get the terms correct. I use the drive point and live end to turn the piece of wood round and one end down to 2 inches. My NOVA chuck came with several sets of jaws. One set holds a 2 inch tenon. With the tenon in the jaws I turn the crown and then hollow it out. So far I have been using friction polish for the finish. Then I use a set of jaws that go inside the hollow so I can turn the tip end and drill for the plastic tip, then hammer it in. Friction polish for the tip end completes the process.
No, Bev does not clean up, she will not come near the bench unless I ask for her opinion. I vacuum between each phase so that I do not mess up the finish or track dust/shavings into the house.
Again a big THANKS GUYS for all of your help and encouragement. This really is fun!
