What is your preferred cork turning (sanding) speed?

Braith

1000 to 1500.

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/03/2014 12:43AM by roger wilson.

Paul,

I prefer to turn all my grips on a mandrel in a lathe, but I've done it both ways:

On the blank in a power wrapper:
The shaping, smoothing, and finishing speeds can vary a lot because some blanks can be turned more quickly than others. As Tom suggested already 1000-1500

On a steel mandrel mounted in a lathe:
I rough shape at 1500+/-, smooth at 2000+/- and finish with my finest grade of paper around 2500+/-

We should probably mention that the cork cylinder diameter has a lot to do with the speed you need. At 1500 RPM, a larger diameter cork cylinder will put a lot more feet per second past your sandpaper than a smaller diameter cylinder at the same speed. So more speed for small diameter stock, less for larger diameter stock.

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I turn on a mandrel and usually just stick with 2500 through the whole process. The skew chisel needs to be sharp for rounding though.

Terry

I turn all my cork on the blank, have done so for over 40 years, and I have never even thought about what the speed is. I use a foot pedal to adjust the speed. I might go a little slower at the start with coarse grit, but when I end, I am going pretty fast with 400 grit.

Thanks for your well informed advice. I am starting to get the trick. I have been using an old single speed drill with an aluminium holder at the other end of the mandrel. For the learner:
Don't use skinny, soft mild steel mandrels. They flex and wobble. I am going to use a small variable speed drill with a 10 mm high tensile threaded rod for a mandrel. I can put nuts and lock nuts on both ends to tighten the handle if necessary. This basic setup will only be suitable with sandpaper. I'm fine with that.
Thanks

Braith

Paul,

If you're using an electric drill, once you get past the rough shaping stage keep the speed high as drills don't turn as fast as lathes.

I would definitely recommend fabricating a support for the other end of your mandrel to minimize any movement or wobbling. You'd be surprised what a difference this can make in your finished cork. A simple stand with 3 rollers clamped in place is all you need. It's also safer this way too, less sideways stress on your drill's chuck.