Wood Turning

[hardwoods from kansas]

On another post I read that you turned metal on your wood lathe. I have an old grinder  that I would like to use 100 grit wheels on and will have to turn down the aluminum hubs to allow it to receive the grinding wheel. I had deceided to take it to a tool and die shop but read your post . Also I am concerned about the balance after it is turned down

[johnclucas]

You can turn aluminum.  However you have no way to control the accuracy.  If all I needed to do was true up some rough areas or dings I would give it a try.    If you were to try to turn down more than that you could easily be off .010" or more and that's a lot when you move it 4" away from center on an 8" grinding wheel.   A  machinist can easily get it within .001".   I've heard of grinder washers being off a lot straight from the manufacturer so taking it to a machinist can only improve them.

[hardwoods from kansas]

Thanks John you have confirmed my first thoughts. If I was to goof up I would end up with a pile of junk. Now for the next part to find out how much it will cost$$$$$$.

[johnclucas]

I would offer to turn them for you but I'm very new at machining and still have to do some tuning on my metal lathe.   I can usually get below .003" right now and hope to get it down to .001" or less here shortly after I do some more work on the lathe.