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Unique woodturning artisan. Your source for Vicmarc lathes, woodturning tools and accessories.

30/10/2026

🪵 VACUUM SERIES — DAY 5 Part B of a 7 day Series

“Ken… does the vacuum pump take gas?”
A fair beginner’s question—and thankfully, no trips to the petrol station! 😂

The oil-less pump Ken describes is electrically powered and rated at 4 CFM.
CFM measures airflow. It isn’t the same as the vacuum reading on your gauge.
Ken prefers an oil-less pump because it avoids the oil mist that oil-lubricated pumps can discharge.

When choosing a pump, check its suitability for vacuum chucking, electrical requirements, and operating instructions.
Ask the questions. That’s how we all learn!

30/10/2026

🪵 VACUUM SERIES — DAY 5 Part A of a 7 day Series

Beautiful natural edge.
Uneven rim.
Now… how do you hold it to finish the bottom? 🤔

Adjustable bowl jaws can be useful, but some rim shapes make gripping difficult.
A suitable vacuum cup can seal against the inside of the bowl, avoiding the need to grip that uneven rim.

The important word is SEAL.

Cracks, holes, porous wood, or an unsuitable surface can prevent secure holding.
An uneven rim may be manageable. An air leak still needs attention!

Do you enjoy turning natural-edge bowls?

29/10/2026

🪵 VACUUM SERIES — DAY 4 Part B of a 7 day Series

Removing a tenon is not a two-cut competition! 😉

Vacuum cups use a resilient seal. That connection can move under cutting loads.

Ken’s approach?
Sharp tools.
Light cuts.
A little patience.
He may take six, eight, or ten gentle passes, depending on the tenon.

Trying to remove too much at once increases the chance of a catch or movement.

Use an appropriate speed and keep tailstock support in place as long as the job allows.

You’ve already made a lovely bowl. Give those final cuts the care they deserve!

29/10/2026

🪵 VACUUM SERIES — DAY 4 Part A of a 7 day Series

“I’ll just centrer it by eye.”

Famous last words before the bowl starts doing a little dance! 😂

Ken uses a compatible threaded live center or tailstock chuck adapter to transfer the bowl while it’s still held in its original chuck.

With the lathe stopped, that helps position the bowl against the vacuum cup while preserving its alignment.

Once the vacuum holds securely, the chuck can be released and removed from the working area.

Check that everything runs true before cutting, and use tailstock support whenever possible.

A centered bowl makes finishing the bottom much easier!

28/10/2026

🪵 VACUUM SERIES — DAY 3 Part B of a 7 day Series

Here’s a little vacuum lesson without a surprise maths test! 😂

Holding force depends on TWO things:
🔹 The pressure difference
🔹 The area enclosed by the seal

At the same vacuum level, a larger sealed area produces more holding force.
So a larger cup doesn’t magically create stronger vacuum—it gives that vacuum more area to work with.
But size alone won’t rescue a poor seal!

The cup must fit the workpiece properly, and the system must maintain a suitable vacuum.

Did you know cup size made that much difference?

28/10/2026

🪵 VACUUM SERIES — DAY 3 Part A of a 7 day Series
Vacuum cups: one size does NOT fit every bowl! 🪵
Vicmarc offers four sizes:
🔹 60 mm — approximately 2⅜”
🔹 100 mm — approximately 4”
🔹 150 mm — approximately 6”
🔹 200 mm — approximately 8”

Why the choices?
Your cup needs to suit the size and shape of your workpiece and make a continuous seal.
A small cup may fit where a larger one cannot. A larger cup can provide more holding force when the workpiece accommodates it.

Choose for the bowl you’re holding—not just the biggest cup in the cupboard! 😉

28/10/2026

🪵 VACUUM SERIES — DAY 2 Part B of a 7 day Series
Your bowl spins.
Your vacuum hose really shouldn’t! 😂
That’s where the rotating union comes in.
It lets the spindle rotate while the hose connection stays stationary.
On compatible Vicmarc lathes, an outboard union connects near the handwheel, and the vacuum travels through the spindle bore.
Other setups connect at the working side of the spindle.
The connection depends on your lathe—so matching the parts matters.
Which lathe are you turning on?

27/10/2026

🪵VACUUM SERIES — DAY 2 Part A of 7 day Series
“Can I just buy a vacuum cup and start turning?”

The cup is one member of the team! 😉

A typical pump-powered setup includes:

🔹 A vacuum pump
🔹 A rotating union
🔹 A vacuum cup or plate
🔹 Compatible inserts or adapters
🔹 Hose, fittings, and a filter
🔹 A vacuum gauge and bleeder valve

The gauge shows your vacuum level. The bleeder valve lets you adjust it.

A compatible tailstock chuck adapter is also useful for transferring your bowl accurately.

Feeling puzzled by the parts? Start with your lathe make and model—we can help work out the connections.

26/10/2026

🪵 VACUUM SERIES — DAY 1 Part B of 7 Day Series
The inside looks beautiful.
The outside looks beautiful.
Then you turn your bowl over… hello, tenon! 😂
Ken has used vacuum chucking for about eight years. For his work, it’s become his favorite way to hold a bowl while finishing the bottom.
He finds it quick, straightforward, and easy to set up once you understand the system.
Because the bottom deserves to look finished, too—even if someone has to pick it up to admire it!

What’s your usual method for removing a tenon?

26/10/2026

🪵 VACUUM SERIES — DAY 1 Part A of a 7 Day Series

“Ken, does a vacuum system clean up my shavings?”

Wouldn’t THAT be lovely! 😂

Vacuum chucking uses a sealed cup and a vacuum source to hold your workpiece on the lathe.

One of its handiest jobs? Holding a nearly finished bowl so you can remove the tenon and finish the bottom.

That little mounting point did its job. Now it’s time to give the underside some attention!

Have you tried vacuum chucking, or are you wondering how it works?

Address

Sundance

T2X1W5

Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:00
Thursday	09:00 - 17:00
Friday	09:00 - 17:00
Saturday	09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

403-830-3049

Website

http://branchestobowls.com/

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