I wasn't going to build any more bird cage ornaments. That changed. My wife was showing one to a very dear friend and she loved it.  Then she said," Ron will make you one, wouldn't you?"  Both looked at me and I didn't want to be the Grinch.  There is so much detail and tedious work involved and it takes hours...........OH WELL 

 I made this one about a quarter inch bigger in dia and a bit heftier. I used South American marble wood and that was a mistake. It is VERY heavy and hard. Drilling tiny holes successfully is difficult ever in soft woods. I did mess up on one piece and had to remake it.  

 This morning she said,"you have made 3 of them, one each for our girls and one for my friend now I want one" 

I told her I would under one  condition, that there is NO dead line for its completion.

 

 

 

I can see why they're so popular, nicely done!

 

Steve

You are such a GREAT husband

Don't ya just love being volunteered 

Oh, and she forgot to tell you that we all want one, too.  

 

 

Looks great (and no, i'm not expecting one...) 

Nicely done Ron...You've got the patience of Job; not only for the number of requests, but drilling all those holes, aligning and placing the cage wires.

Again another nice one. Every time you show one I am more convinced I need to try these. How are you drilling all the holes with such constancy if I may ask. Nice job and thanks for showing. 

Great Job Ron !!

11 hours ago, jttheclockman said:

How are you drilling all the holes with such constancy

 

Clockman,

 

How are you drilling all the holes with such constancy

 

I made a working drawing of the hole placement and then I made up a template by putting clear tape over it. I then punched holes at each bar location. I placed it on the working piece and used an awe to punch a starter hole for the tiny drill. I have a micro chuck for tiny bits, I put it in my drill  press. I have tried different drilling techniques, but the drill press is much more controlled. I use a tooth brush to clean the bit often. Going slow is a must

 

1 hour ago, Ron Altier said:

Clockman,

 

How are you drilling all the holes with such constancy

 

I made a working drawing of the hole placement and then I made up a template by putting clear tape over it. I then punched holes at each bar location. I placed it on the working piece and used an awe to punch a starter hole for the tiny drill. I have a micro chuck for tiny bits, I put it in my drill  press. I have tried different drilling techniques, but the drill press is much more controlled. I use a tooth brush to clean the bit often. Going slow is a must

 

Thank you. I thought maybe you were doing the drilling on your lathe using an indexing wheel. I was trying to figure out how you could do that if that was the case. Your method works well from what you have been showing. keep them coming and thanks again.

22 hours ago, jttheclockman said:

How are you drilling all the holes with such constancy

Clock man Ididn't know what an indexing lathe when you wrote about it. I found out that my Jet mini model don't have one. Youtube showed one in action. I like that feature. Now I am working on one for my lathe. I have some ideas and have part of it laid out. Will let you know if it works out

This is the one I put on my Jet. Excellent quality and very easy to install and accurate. 

 

www.alisam.com/jet-mini.html

 

 

I use it alot for making pens such as these

 

 

 

Edited December 15, 20169 yr by jttheclockman

Exquisite pens JT! Not sure if it was your intent, but makes me think of Art Deco...very cool!

7 minutes ago, jttheclockman said:

I use it alot for making pens such as these

 

27 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Exquisite pens JT! Not sure if it was your intent, but makes me think of Art Deco...very cool!

 

 

 

Thank you sir. It was not but now that you mention it I see it.