As mentioned in a previous post, these weekly discussions are likely to be sporadic/late until my life returns to some resemblance of normal- and I use the term "normal" loosely.

A couple of weeks ago, while checking out some of the projects here, I saw a really nice lidded box Charles had turned. I really like the idea of turned boxes but wanted to do something besides my typical segments or laminations. Some searching around the Internet brought me to "Chatter Turning". 

These designs can be created from a simple shop made "Chatter Tool" as shown in examples from Wood Central and Detroit Area Wood Turners

Some You Tube videos to see how it works-

A search of You Tube for "chatter tool" will produce quite a selection of videos on the subject.

Something for the pen makers, if you don't already have a pen blank trimming/squaring device-

Plans can be found at http://rizaydog.webs.com/pensquaringjig.htm

Hope you find some of this useful.

Safe Turning!

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Thanks Lew, I may have to add this to the arsenal I had seen it before,even in a video from youtube, but that was a professionally made chatter tool. There's just something about that maple box (2nd image) that I really like.

I had to laugh when i saw the video because i had a skew that was giving me chatter but it was where I didn't want it, on a Majestic Rollerball pen

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Charles Nicholls
Site Host
nicholls61@att.net
Proud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRA

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks

Thanks Lewis for posting this. I've got all the materials to build the chatter tool. I should be able to get it built tomorrow. Thanks again.

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www.thepatriotwoodworker.com Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops

Lewis I have been looking for a squaring jig for pen blanks and have seen several that look fairly easy to construct but the one you supplied the link to looks to be the best one.

I like the idea of the wing nut on the threaded rod. The only change I'd make would be to use a steel runner for the miter slot instead of the wood runner, because of the changes in humidity may cause the runner to expand or contract which could cause binding or a loose fit thus unsquare blanks.

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www.thepatriotwoodworker.com Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops

I like the idea of the chatter tool. I have thought about making one a couple of times, but just can't seem to find the time. It does really add another dimension to the turnings

I really like the pen squaring jig.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com