Any woodturners on here

[essequamvideri 0]

Mark,

I meant to ask if you found any of that bowl to be a bit too soft/punky?  I've tried a couple of spalted pieces only to find them too far gone and quite difficult to work with.  

Michael

[Mark Knapp 0]

4 hours ago, essequamvideri said:

Mark,

I meant to ask if you found any of that bowl to be a bit too soft/punky?  I've tried a couple of spalted pieces only to find them too far gone and quite difficult to work with.  

Michael

After I got the burl, I let it spalt in my yard for about two years. Three years would have been too much. There were softer spots in it but not to the punky point. I stabilized the bowl as I went along with CA glue. And, as you can see, I left it a little thick. I would have liked the walls to be a little thinner but I didn't want it to blow apart.

[essequamvideri 0]

My last spalted bowl had a couple of soft spots in it.  A member of our woodworking group had mentioned something called "Wood Hardener" by Minwax.  Really interesting stuff.  Definitely firms up the wood so you can turn it.  Although I did find it tough on sandpaper.  Not sure if I didn't let it set/harden long enough because it had a tendency to gum up the paper as it heated up. 

 

Michael

[Mark Knapp 0]

I've used Minwax hardener too.

[essequamvideri 0]

Found these Kaleidoscope kits through PenState Industries.  I had forgotten how much fun you can have turning something small.  They are only 2 1/2" tall and 2" round. A good friend had a bunch of cut offs from coasters he makes.  I epoxied a bunch of them together and made some eggs.  

 

 

[essequamvideri 0]

Wife asked for a Kaleidoscope for Christmas.

Body is Maple, eyes are Jatoba, nose is Mahogany and the hat is Black Walnut.

Ended up approx. 5 1/2" tall.

 

Michael

 

[niveker 0]

Great work, especially how the components all fit together.  

[essequamvideri 0]

Thanks niveker,

May your Christmas be filled with warmth and laughter.

Michael

[Coin 0]

I just saw this topic and wanted to say that is some great work. I have been turning for about 10 years but only have a smaal machine. One of the things I have done a lot of are the mini bird houses. They sell well so why not.

[skeet3t 0]

On 3/15/2018 at 4:10 PM, Bryon Anderson said:

Beautiful work! I have a lathe and would love to learn to use it, but I've spent the last few years learning basic-to-intermediate woodworking. Turning is next! I'd love to do the pen barrels like in your pics, also reel seat inserts for fly rods.

Look for a local Woodcraft store or Rockler store for lessons. Also, if you want to check this out, the American Association of Woodturners, www.woodturner.org for a local chapter.

[essequamvideri 0]

I finished making a 3/4” round nose scrapper out of a piece of 1/2” thick chipper blade.  That stuff is extremely hard steel.  I’m turning the center of a ravioli rolling pin using Hard Maple.  I think the scrapper is going to do what I need.

 

Michael R. Earle

”Esse Quam Videri”

[mikechell 0]

Michael,

I can't open your attachment.  My laptop doesn't support "Quicktime" movie formats.  Can you post a picture?

[essequamvideri 0]

Mikechell,

No worries.  I had made a larger version of this a while back that is 2.25" wide.  I put a 21" handle on it for extra support.  I was forewarned to keep a scrapper below the center line of the piece you are turning.  That way you prevent any possibility of a catch.  They both peal off rice paper thin ribbons.  It's really cool to watch. 

 

[mikechell 0]

Thank you.  I like it !!!

[essequamvideri 0]

Found this pasta cutter at an antique shop.  It had a bad handle so I thought I’d use some scraps to make a new one.

 

Michael R. Earle

“Esse Quam Videri “