I was interested to read on another thread someone stating that the main use for a reverse gear is sanding. This was exactly my thinking when I first got my current lathe and for a year or two thats all I ever used it for. As the result of a 'Lightbulb Moment' I wondered about turning the inside wall of a bowl or vessel with the lathe spinning backwards. This meant the gouge was cutting the far side of the project and supported by the rear of the rest, which allowed me to see exactly what the cutting edge was doing, even when working an undercut, while I was supporting and guiding the tool far more effectively.
Like left handed turning it takes a bit of mental gymnastics to start with but soon becomes second nature. The one HUGE proviso is to make sure your chuck has a second fixing, normally a screw or screws that close and grip the spindle behind the thread. Without this the chuck most certainly will unscrew itself during a cut with 'Interesting' results.
Brian
