Improve Your Turning with the Oneway Woodworm Screw

by Phil Colson
Woodturner

Do you remember that funny looking screw that came with your new chuck?

It's call a woodworm and it's a very positive holding device, better than the jaws of the chuck. It is mounted in the chuck (check your manual for the how-to). You can use the woodworm to turn a bowl or a platter by drilling a hole in the wood that will be removed later, such as the top of a bowl or the face of the platter. It works by using the threads that tighten up as the lathe rotates. The woodworm was originally developed by Oneway but all chucks come with them now. Screw the piece of wood until it tightens against the jaws of the chuck. You will have to use the spindle lock on the lathe.

The center of the screw is 3/8", so drill a 3/8" hole in the wood, right?

Wrong! I used to drill 3/8" until I was turning a dry piece of hickory for a platter. I could not get the woodworm to back out and I ended up splitting the platter.

Now I drill a 7/16" hole. It holds just fine and it always backs out.

If you don't already use the Woodworm screw try it. It works for me.

CLICK HERE to purchase your own Oneway Woodworm Screw

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Phil can be reached directly via email at woodturnerphil@gmail.com.


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