What is the best accessory you've purchased to assist you in you turning efforts? Mine was the Mini-Jumbo Jaws for my One Way chuck.
My "S" toolrest. Second, my chuck. Both make other tools work better.
For me it is the Wolverine Sharpening jig.
The motor or drive controllers that give us variable speed and reverse have made the biggest impact on my turning. Any of the well machined scroll chucks are a close second.
For me DC variable drive without a doubt.
The accessory that has made my life easiest is the John Reed faceplate system. This is one that has a hub and removeable faceplate rings, sold by Craft Supply. I've bought two sets so I can have as many as ten segmented bowls under construction at one time.
My best accessory is a vacuum chuck -- mine is a Oneway system. I got it to speed up the finishing of bowl bottoms, but once I started using it I discovered its real advantage.
I now have complete freedom to experiment with the rims of my bowls without having to worry about how I am going to remount them to finish the bottom. This has resulted in the biggest surge in creativity I have had since I have started turning. I considered cobbling up a vacuum chuck system with homemade parts, but I am really happy that I bought the Oneway instead. It works flawlessly.
No doubt about it for me! My fantastic Supernova!
I go along with all that's been said. But I take chucks and chainsaws for granted now.
My latest purchase was a Jameison stabilizer handle for my Stewart tools. I've done a couple dozen hollow forms over the last two weeks with it and it has made my life easier. It was less fun than the brace handle at first, but now I don't see how I lived without it. Best money I've spent on tools.
I have the Oneway vacuum system and Vicmarc and Oneway button jaws. But the truth is I use jam chucks (using the tailstock) more than the others put together. It's quicker and I am too lazy to fool around with more equipment sometimes.
I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what is the most used accessory.
It's between 3 things.
- The small jaws for my Nova chuck are used a lot.
- My flexible 2"pads for power sanding.
- My 3/8" spindle gouge.
I think I would have to go with the gouge because I use it on almost everything. Even on Bowls there are details around the lip or base that I use the 3/8" spindle gouge on.
Without a doubt, a good grinding jig (mine is the Australian Heligrind). Without sharp tools, anything else you buy is just another shop ornament.
My most used turning accessory is a home made collar chuck for finishing the bottom of bowls.
I use the nova chuck and the extra jaws are good with the exception of the cole jaws which need new clamps making to be useful. I only use them for finishing the bottom of square bowls.