Woodturning & Carving Medieval Helmet
This post is best viewed right here. However, in case of difficulty, it is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook.
This miniature medieval helmet is a hollow form with additional carving. This is based on a demonstration by George Watkins. His helmet was a hybrid wood and resin but he only display turning and carving.
I am not sure what species of wood this is.
Steps:
- Turn and hollow the hollow form.
- Sand a slant back so that the helmet leans back.
- Carve the eye slots and nose guard.
A fun turning and discussion piece.
Walnut oil brings out the color and grain.
Enjoy! But please do not attempt to wear it!
Twice Turned Bowl – Green To Beauty
This video is best viewed right here on this page. However, in case of difficulty, it is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook.
This elm was harvested almost 2 years ago. Whoever cut it down was not a wood turner because the shape of this block of wood was awful. It was trapezoidal with some of the heart side corners cut off. I could have reversed it but chose not to.
When rough turning, I left the wall about 1 inch thick since I did not know how much this wood would warp while drying.
After rough turning, I coated it with a PVA based sealer, Tree Saver, available from Craft Supplies, USA. Periodically, I weighed and recorded the weight each time. This is the most reliable way for me to know when a bowl is dry and stable.
I remounted the bowl against a wood faceplate held in place with the live center in the original divot from the live center. The enabled the mounting tenon to be again turned round and with a flat top. As a bonus, I could also trim back some of the exterior wood.
After reversing the bowl into a chuck, I could finish turning the bowl except for the tenon area.
While I have a set of Cole jaws, I chose to again press the bowl against a wood faceplate while finishing the foot area. My intent was to then sand the remaining area for the nub left by the live center. However, I pushed it one cut too far; the nub broke away before I was finished. So back to the Cole jaws to sand the foot.
Walnut oil brings out the color and grain.
Enjoy!
Eccentric – Off-Axis Turning With Infinite Axis Chuck
This video is best viewed right here. However, in case of difficulty, it is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook.
In this video, I attempt to inset ovals into my wood blank.
To get the oval shape, I planned to drill into the medallion at an angle, thus yielding an oval.
First, I tried to use a drill guide at the lathe. However, I did not have enough leverage for sufficient pressure to drive a large bit into the hard wood.
Next, I created a small tilt table. I can mount either a chuck using a chuck hub or my eccentric work platform to the tilt table. Knobs on the side adjust the tilt. A couple of wedges at the front edge maintain the angle under pressure from the drill press. Chuck hubs and bandsaw knobs are availabe at https://www.etsy.com/shop/AsWoodTurnsTools
After drilling the holes and filling them with spindles turned to fit and gluing them with epoxy, I could proceed as usual for a medallion. This time, I used the Infinite Axis Chuck to give the medallions both visual and tactile interest.
Please see last weeks’s video on how to build your own Infinite Axis Chuck.
Project Videos
- Beyond Ordinary Eccentric Woodturning – Infinite Axes
- Woodturning Valentine’s Box With Infinite Axis Chuck
- Woodturning Christmas Ornament Using Infinite Axis Chuck
- Eccentric Bottle Stopper With Infinite Axis Chuck
- Woodturning Eccentric Twig Vase With Infinite Axis Chuck
- Eccentric Spindle Woodturning With Infinite Axis Chuck
- Woodturning Jewelry With Infinite Axis Chuck
- Eccentric Woodturning Off Axis Necklace Pendant
- Eccentric Woodturning Off Axis Medallions
- Eccentric Woodturning Necklace Centered Inserts
- Build Your Own Infinite Axis Chuck
Enjoy!
Build Your Own Infinite Axis Chuck
This post is best viewed right here on this page. But, in case of difficulty, it is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook.
Let us build your own Infinite Axis Chuck.
Here are useful links for supplemental information.
Where to purchase the PVC fitting.
- My Etsy Store – https://www.etsy.com/shop/AsWoodTurnsTools – while supplies last
- Big Box and Plumbing Suppliers such as https://www.supplyhouse.com/PVC-Schedule-40-Fittings-14952000
Threaded Wood Faceplates
- Five Options For Woodturning Lathe Faceplates
- Easy Wood Faceplates For Woodturning
- Pin Face Plate and Threaded Wood Face Plates For Woodturning
Hand cut Spheres
- Woodturning Perfect Spheres – For Wise Turners
- How To Turn Perfect Hollow Sphere – No Jig
- Woodturning – Adjustable Sphere Tower
Project Videos
- Beyond Ordinary Eccentric Woodturning – Infinite Axes
- Woodturning Valentine’s Box With Infinite Axis Chuck
- Woodturning Christmas Ornament Using Infinite Axis Chuck
- Eccentric Bottle Stopper With Infinite Axis Chuck
- Woodturning Eccentric Twig Vase With Infinite Axis Chuck
- Eccentric Spindle Woodturning With Infinite Axis Chuck
- Woodturning Jewelry With Infinite Axis Chuck
Related:
- Eccentric Woodturning Off Axis Necklace Pendant
- Eccentric Woodturning Off Axis Medallions
- Eccentric Woodturning Necklace Centered Inserts
The Infinite Axis Chuck works in harmony with another shop-made chuck based on “Build A Shopmade Chuck For Offset Turnings” by David Mueller. American Woodturner February 2015. I have adapted this chuck to have exchangeable work platforms that interchange with this Infinite Axis Chuck. The eccentric chuck article is available to read or download from
- https://kawarthawoodturners.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Shopmade-Jig-AW3001p35-40.pdf
courtesy of Kawartha Woodturners.
When using the Infinite Axis chuck, the turning axes are NOT parallel. In space, they may never meet. They almost meet the definition of a skew axis.
Turning went much easier with a couple more accessories:
- 2 screw chucks (3/8″) for direct mount of the work platform to the lathe spindle.
- Flat faced faceplate sized for target diameter also used to press double sided tape bonding.
- Live center with #2 Morse taper and 1 1/4 x 8 tpi.
- Spindle adapter 1″x8 tpi female to 1.25″x8tpi male to adapt the live center from 1″ to 1.25″
- Large adjustable pliers or Oil Filter wrench or spanner
Enjoy!
Beyond Ordinary Eccentric Woodturning – Infinite Axes
This video is best viewed right here. However, in case of difficulty, it is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook.
This video continues a series on eccentric turning in preparation for Valentine’s Day.
This time, I am using wood with colored layers and my Infinite Axis Chuck for a very usual effect. The wood comes from Frog Blanks. The Infinite Axis Chuck is shop-made. I will show how to build the chuck next week.
The Infinite Axis Chuck works in harmony with another shop-made chuck based on “Build A Shopmade Chuck For Offset Turnings” by David Mueller. American Woodturner February 2015. I have adapted this chuck to have exchangeable work platforms that interchange with the Infinite Axis Chuck that I designed. The eccentric chuck article is available to read or download from https://kawarthawoodturners.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Shopmade-Jig-AW3001p35-40.pdf
courtesy of Kawartha Woodturners.
When using the Infinite Axis chuck, the turning axes are NOT parallel. In space, they may never meet. They almost meet the definition of a skew axis.
Turning went much easier with a couple more accessories:
- 2 screw chucks (3/8″) for direct mount of the work platform to the lathe spindle.
- Flat faced faceplate sized for target diameter also used to press double sided tape bonding.
- Live center with #2 Morse taper and 1 1/4 x 8 tpi.
- Spindle adapter 1″x8 tpi female to 1.25″x8tpi male to adapt the live center from 1″ to 1.25″
Enjoy!
Eccentric Woodturning Necklace Centered Inserts
This video is best viewed right here. However, in case of difficulty, is it also posted on YouTube and FaceBook.
This is part of a series on eccentric turning in preparation for Valentine’s Day.
In this project video, I turn a medallion or pendant and insert different woods for visual interest. The position is fixed for this project so that each wood is concentric but different diameters
The main wood is sycamore with a walnut backing. The inserts are walnut, maple, and padauk.
The main accessory is a shop-made chuck based on “Build A Shopmade Chuck For Offset Turnings” by David Mueller. American Woodturner February 2015. I have adapted this chuck to have exchangeable work platforms that interchange with the Infinite Axis Chuck that I designed.
Turning went much easier with a couple more accessories:
- 2 screw chucks (3/8″) for direct mount of the work platform to the lathe spindle.
- Flat faced faceplate sized for target diameter also used to press double sided tape bonding.
- Live center with #2 Morse taper and 1 1/4 x 8 tpi.
- Spindle adapter 1″x8 tpi female to 1.25″x8tpi male top adapt the live center from 1″ to 1.25″
Enjoy!
Eccentric Woodturning Off Axis Medallions
This post is best viewed right here. However, in case of difficulty, it is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook.
This is part of a series on eccentric turning.
In this project video, I turn a medallion or pendant and insert different wood for visual interest.
The main wood is sycamore with a walnut backing. The inserts are walnut, cherry, and padauk.
The main disk controls how far the new axis is from the lathe spindle.
The inner disk controls an offset from the new axis for yet another axis.
The main accessory is a shop-made chuck based on “Build A Shopmade Chuck For Offset Turnings” by David Mueller. American Woodturner February 2015. I have adapted this chuck to have exchangeable work platforms that interchange with the Infinite Axis Chuck that I designed.
Turning went much easier with a couple more accessories:
- 2 screw chucks (3/8″) for direct mount of the work platform to the lathe spindle.
- Flat faced faceplate sized for target diameter also used to press double sided tape bonding.
- Live center with #2 Morse taper and 1 1/4 x 8 tpi.
- Spindle adapter 1″x8 tpi female to 1.25″x8tpi male top adapt the live center from 1″ to 1.25″
Enjoy!
Eccentric Woodturning Off Axis Necklace Pendant
This post is best viewed right here. But it is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook in case of difficulty.
I have not turned a necklace pendant for a long time. Past time to update jigs and fixtures to make the task easier.
The main accessory is a shop-made chuck based on “Build A Shopmade Chuck For Offset Turnings” by David Mueller. American Woodturner February 2015. I have adapted this chuck to have exchangeable work platforms that interchange with the Infinite Axis Chuck that I designed.
Turning sent much easier with a couple more accessories:
- 2 screw chucks (3/8″) for direct mount of the work platform to the lathe spindle.
- Flat faced faceplate sized for target diameter also used to press double sided tape bonding.
Enjoy
Woodturning and 3D Printing – Can They Work Together?
This posting is best viewed right here on this page. In case of difficulty, it is also available on YouTube and FaceBook.
Based on questions that came from recent project, this post gives an overview of 3D printing from my perspective as a woodturner.
Even before I purchased a 3D printer, I designed some items that the Maker Space in the local library printed for me.
Since purchasing my printer, I have found many unexpected projects to design and build.
3D printing is considered a rapid prototyping technique. It is not instant but is much faster than milling parts while in the development stage. It does not replace injection molding. However, molds for commercial injection molding range around $100,000 each. That means matching molds for the bushings I used in recent projects could exceed $200,000 each size.
Needless to say, there is a learning curve required. For me, it is worth the effort.
The bayonet bushing are in my Etsy store (link) in 3 colors and sizes from 1″ outer diameter by 1/4″ thru 3″ and then more larger sizes.
Enjoy!
Woodturning Spiral Box For Potpourri And Goodies
While this is best viewed right here, it is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook
This project is inspired by projects and questions from the 2021 Christmas Ornament Challenge. A spiral box project includes carving and layout.
This is the culmination of many years of planning towards this project. I remember Stuart Mortimer demonstrating this sort of project many years ago at the Utah Woodturning Symposium.
First turn a hollow form. Then lay out spirals and start carving.
A couple of notes:
- Long strips of canvas backed sandpaper are essential – starting with 80 grit.
- Gross carving used a Proxxon right-angle tool with two different cutters: a wheel cutter and a coarse rasp.
- Fine carving used an Icon rotary tool with a small but long rasp bit.
- The joint was made with a bayonet style bushing. This bushing was 3D printed and designed in OpenScad by myself. I am planning to make these available on my Etsy site within a few weeks.
Enjoy!