A neat trick is to mount the piece in question between centers, and spin it at med speed and look down at it, you will be able to see a "shadow" of the solid parts as it spins, the narrowest part of that shadow is the maximum size cylinder you can turn from that piece USING THOSE CENTERS. Move the centers around to maximize the size of the shadow.
I have the t shadow but have got a couple of eye hooks and a string to drive the pen vs the rubber band like the benson pace jig. That solves all my issues with lines and odd starts to the tops of the letters when engraving.
I saw an ad for a Magical Skew made by T. Shadow & CO (DELUXE MAGICAL SKEW - T. Shadow & Co. LLC). I'm interested in hearing from anyone who's used it or who knows where I can find videos of it or something.
I finished this shadow box for a friend of mine that's retiring in a week or so. I delivered it this morning, he's very happy with it! I also made him a pen from Honduran Mahogony, and had it engraved by Mike and Jen. He at first said he couldn't accept it, until I said he didn't have a...
Tim, You seem to be using the shadow trick now, how about telling the rest of us how to do it? Bob S.
The shadow board was typically made of plastic or heavy cardboard and flocked or coated with thin felt. We used the heavy cardboard flocked boards as earring holders as well. Jewelry boxes bought from Hobby Lobby that are in an unfinished state can easily be upgraded to hold special pieces like you see in displays at major outlet stores.