Even though it has been a week of visiting relatives, I did manage to get into the shop for a little turning. Recently, I received a gift from a turner friend. Among other things, he sent me a couple of stainless steel rings that are used to reinforce a mallet head. I had been hoarding a thick, heavy piece of unknown (at the time) species. From the rings and what revealed itself to be cherry, this is the end result-

 

 

 

The handle is walnut and the wedge is maple. I usually don't put a finish on my shop made tool/jigs but this one is special. A single application of natural Danish oil.

 

We usually think of items created on the lathe as being round. Here's a video of something a little different. A turned 5 sided box. The video also address a couple of questions raised by some of our members. In the video, the author hollows the piece with goose neck hollower. Patriot member Charles asked about using one of these tools. Also, Patriot member Ron was asking an opinion using a Japanese pull saw on the lathe. Again, the author uses this type of saw to cut off a finial. I also found it interesting to see the use of a skew chisel as a scraper in creating the finial shape.

 

 

 

 

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a link to Heath Knuckles' YouTube video on color/dye/resin. He has added two more videos using the technique to create a turning-

 

 

Safe Turning!

Outstanding Lew! My gosh that lovely mallet! It almost looks like a war mallet it's so big! That is a wonderful piece of cherry my friend, thanks for the Wed topic Lew!

Thanks, John!

Lew, I have a couple of questions.  Are those rings made specifically for the mallet and how did you attach them.  The mallet reminds me of a mallet I had years ago.  It was hard rock maple on one end and leather on the other.

1 hour ago, Ron Dudelston said:

Lew, I have a couple of questions.  Are those rings made specifically for the mallet and how did you attach them.  The mallet reminds me of a mallet I had years ago.  It was hard rock maple on one end and leather on the other.

The rings were a gift. They were cut to be used for making a medium sized mallet. I installed them by turning the wood to make a press on fit. The wood is very dry but if the rings get loose, I'll drill and pin them with screws.

Ah, I see.  I didn't see the screws. I figured you epoxied it on.  

1 minute ago, Ron Dudelston said:

Ah, I see.  I didn't see the screws. I figured you epoxied it on.  

Haven't added the screws, yet. Wanted to see if the press on fit will hold. Thanks for the epoxy idea. If the rings work loose, I'll try that first. Much easier than trying to drill thru stainless rings.

12 minutes ago, lew said:

Haven't added the screws, yet. Wanted to see if the press on fit will hold. Thanks for the epoxy idea. If the rings work loose, I'll try that first. Much easier than trying to drill thru stainless rings.

That makes me feel better Lew.  I thought I was going blind even though I'm halfway there.

I love that mallet. That is so very nice. Man those SS rings sure give it bling! 

 

Very very Nice Lew!

1 hour ago, John Moody said:

I love that mallet.

Thanks, John!

Guess this one is for display. Too nice to use with all that bling on it

15 minutes ago, Gerald said:

Guess this one is for display. Too nice to use with all that bling on it

Thanks for the kind words, Gerald, they are truly appreciated. I'm sure it'll get used- just carefully.