Turning Curly Flame Finial As An Ornament
This project is a fun one. Essentially, a finial can be used either upright – flame up – or flame down. For this ornament, this walnut is hollowed and carved.
Could it be longer. Probably. However, I would not recommend more rotations since that would result is much more fragile short grain. I would stretch it to preserve long grain.
Either way. a fun ornament.
Walnut 1″ diameter by 3″ long finished with shellac with 22 gauge twisted wire hanger.
The Ornament Challenge will begin accepting entries November 1st.
Enjoy.
2024 Ornament Challenge Kickoff Announcement
The holiday season is rapidly approaching and with it – The annual Ornament Challenge – this is number 14.
The challenge welcomes ornaments of all sorts, any craft, any media, any tradition. At least, these are the predominate ones. By the way, collaboration is also great.
However, there is a deadline. All ornament must be submitted during the month of November at www.OrnamentChallenge.com. The entry process will open November 1st and close after November 30th.
Enjoy.
Turning A Trivet With A Touch Of Technology
This piece combines technologies: old and new – turning and laser.
The turning is a 6 inch flat tray from maple whose inside is designed for a puzzle.
The puzzle is laser cut on a 40 watt LED laser.
I love integrating methods, materials, and technology in creative ways.
Enjoy.
Turning Multi-Axis Plumbing Fittings??
I love these octahedrons. They are one of the most simple multi-axis turnings.
They start with a sphere which I have been demonstrating for many years. I skipped quickly through the sphere portion in this video to focus more on the multi-axis turning.
The sphere is oriented on three axes. If you think of a cube, these are the perpendicular through the faces of the cube.
After boring out the holes along the axes, these are transformed into tubes. Finally, at the center, a smaller cube forms. This can be carved away into pleasing curves.
For a truncated octahedron, pick one or more axes before boring. Bore out only enough to form a solid tube instead of a hollow tube. Part off or carve away the solid tube.
BTW – I saw an original non-truncated octahedron demonstrated by Max Brosi at AAW – Raleigh. He deserves credit for confirming my octagon measures using drafting techniques instead of my use of algebra. Then showing an octahedron. A confirming demonstration.
Enjoy.
Improved Double Dip Turning – Twin Eccentric Scoops
I know I turned eccentric scoops last week. However, I simply had to turn them again with some improvements.
This scoop is turned using three skew axes, 3/16″ apart and the handle end. The axes must be in a straight line to allow the turned blank to be sawn in half. Skew axes are not parallel. However, in this case, they must be shifted in the same plane. Otherwise, the two halves could not be sawn apart.
Instead of shifting points on the bowl end, this time I used a cup center on the live center.
As an additional benefit, this allowed turning the bowl portion as more of a sphere for more accuracy.
The axis shift was also slightly larger. This with the fixed bowl end, enabled more of an arc in the handle.
The cleanup was still tedious, using a round rotary burr to hollow out the bowl. Then hand sanded the bowl smooth.
The scoops are 1 inch by 6 inches long, finished with a utility mix of mineral oil and beeswax.
Enjoy.
Double Dip Turning – Twin Eccentric Scoops
This video is best viewed here on this page. However, if gremlins strike the technical area, it is also available on YouTube and FaceBook.
I saw these scoops by Eli Avisera at the Portland AAW symposium. I did not attend his demonstration – Actually, I’m not sure he demonstrated these. However, I was intrigued and felt that I had to make a set. I’m not sure how he turned his but here is how I turn them.
The scoop is turned using three parallel axes, 1/8″ apart. The axes must be parallel to have enought straight space for the turned blank to be sawn in half.
The cleanup, however, is tedious. I used a round rotary burr to hollow out the bowl. Then hand sanded the bowl smooth.
The scoops are 1.5 inches by 5 inches long, finished with a utility mix of mineral oil and beeswax.
Enjoy.
Turning A Multi Port Wet Hollow Sphere
This video post is best viewed here on this page. However, in case of technical difficulty, it is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook.
I did not always relish turning a sphere. But that was before I found an easy, reliable process to turn them.
Now the question is how to embellish them even more.
For this sphere, I wanted it hollow but holey – that is hollow through multiple holes.
However, one major issue came up. The Russian olive was very wet and warped. The result? It is not a perfectly shaped sphere. What should I have done given the wet wood? Simple. Rough turn the sphere, let it dry, then return to the process. The only problem is that I tend to be impatient. But, I also saved a lot of money by not purchasing a commercial jig.
The sphere is 3.25 inches finished with beeswax and mineral oil. Then buffed.
More Links:
Woodturning Perfect Spheres – For Wise Turners
Woodturning Essentials – Octagon Method For Perfect Spheres
How To Turn Perfect Hollow Sphere – No Jig
Enjoy.
Turning A Beautiful Bowl – Another Rescue
This video is best viewed right here on this page. But, in case of technical difficulty, it is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook.
I do love turning sapele wood – any way that I can get some. It is rather expensive. So, if I can use offcuts from someone else’s project, I jump at the opportunity. This wood is about 9 inches long and 5 inches wide and 2 inches thick, two pieces. I cleaned up one edge and glued them together. After turning, this yielded an eight by 2 inch bowl. This is a fairly standard bowl turning, a great exercise in disguising a mortise in the base. Turning a sphere is a basic skill that all turners should quickly master, especially since it is so easy and a foundation for so many projects. So, in this video, I take a four inch plus sphere, decorate it with an interesting pattern of grooves and hollow it to lighten it. My bowl is finished with wipe-on poly. Enjoy.Taking Sphere Turning To Next Level
Please view this video from this page. However, if gremlins attack, it is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook.
Turning a sphere is a basic skill that all turners should quickly master, especially since it is so easy and a foundation for so many projects.
So, in this video, I take a four inch plus sphere, decorate it with an interesting pattern of grooves and hollow it to lighten it.
My 4.4″ sphere is finished with walnut oil.
Have you mastered this basic skill?
Enjoy.
Turning Large Segmented Tray For Zen Garden
This post is best viewed here on this page. In case of gremlin attack, it is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook.
I first encountered a Zen garden when taking a slump glass workshop. It was intriguing. With an assortment of textured concrete balls, I could make designs in the white sand in the bottom of a large tray.
Immediately, I knew that I had to make my own. It would have to be a combination project: shop-made plywood for a light, strong bottom; segmented rings for the sides; and textured wood spheres.
All in all it is great therapy.
The tray is red oak, 13 x 2 inches, finished with wipe-on poly.
Enjoy.