I have been cleaning out the barn, (Per orders from the Mrs.) and finding things I totally forgot I ever possessed. Among some items in a rear corner, I found a very wide black walnut piece cut from the crotch of a black walnut. It is not a center cut, so there is no pith. It is only about 4/4 thick, but is about 30 inches across. I purchased it when I lived in Arlington VA 30 years ago, thinking I might make a table, but I realized it might be too thin, and I would probably never find a planer that wide. So, I can get a round for a very large platter. However, though the lathe has a swivel head, the lowest speed is 600 rpm, which seems far too fast for the outer reaches of something that large in diameter. My goal would be a final thickness of about 7/16
Besides the speed question, since the piece is only 4/4, mounting something that large is the next problem. Glue a block of wood? Epoxy for something that big? Would a large shallow tennon be enough once the bottom side has been shaped?
Is this a bit more than a newbie should try?