I was fortunate to spend a few days with Jimmy Clewes in his shop in Las Vegas and he addressed this question pretty much the same as Steve with the exception of "slightly higher speed." I had the lathe at 2000 rpm and he said "put it up all the way, mate." I asked him if he was serious. His reaction made me feel like a coward so I maxed it out. The lathe sounded like it was on the verge of achieving liftoff but with a light touch to the wood and a heavy and steady touch of the tool on the toolrest, it worked. Watch out for the knuckles, though.
I fish, therefore I am. I woodturn when I can't fish.