I'm new at turning. I am trying to make a simple box, my first, with a small walnut blank. I attached it (the end grain) to a face plate with both tape and three 3/4" screws. I don't have a chuck. I turned the piece into a cylinder and started to hollow the end grain to make the lid. My intention was to turn most of the lid, part it off, turn the top of the box so I could fit the lid onto it, finish turning the lid, then hollow out the bottom of the box and part it off. I got as far as hollowing out the lid when the piece came off the faceplate.
Turning end grain seems impossible. I tried very sharp spindle and bowl gouges, but had little success. It put so much pressure on the blank that, again, it came off the faceplate. How does one turn the end grain? Like I said, I am new to turning, so I'd appreciate your advice. Thanks.