Again, Before we get started on this week's stuff, I'd like to remind you of the request from @Jim from Easy Wood Tools. The generous folks at Easy Wood Tools are decorating their lobby for Christmas and would like to use turned ornaments for the tree. The ornaments don't have to be finished. Plain wooden ones will be painted by volunteers at Easy Wood Tools. The ornaments can be simple turnings from non-descript wood. However, if you wish to make some fancy ones- think of the type made by @Ron Altier, @Gerald and @Steve Krumanaker- those would be displayed just as you made them-- No Paint!! If you need ideas, I have a list of websites, tutorials and ideas. Just let me know!!! 

 

 

 

Well Pennsylvania has set another record-

 

We have had only 4 days without measurable rain since July 1. Gimme a break!!!

 

 

Our Patriot Turners-

Speaking of ornaments-

@Ron Altier turned a beautiful blue and white colored plywood piece, although not without some problems-

 

Ron describes what happened in his post and he received lots of feedback, too.

 

 

@HandyDan is getting into the Christmas spirit with his gorgeous turned angel ornaments. 

 

He received lots of compliments and answered some questions, here-

 

 

And, @Steve Krumanaker was super busy with his batch of awesome ornaments. 

 

And this is just a sampling of what Steve has done! Steve also explained his process for the finish on these, in his post-

 

 

We've had a couple of questions this week from some of our members. 

@hawkeye10 is considering getting into turning. He asked our members what they would recommend. He received lots of comments. He is also eyeing a new-to-him lathe, from Craigslist and asked our members their thoughts on it. Head on over to his posts and help him out!

 

 

 

@Bob Hodge posted a question in the finishing forum about turning and sandpaper grits. I am reposting it here in hopes our turners can chime in and give him some advice/help-

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up-

The Virginia Woodturning Symposium is in November-

 

Click on the above image for additional information.

 

Stuart Kent will be at the American Association of Woodturners in Raleigh, NC, November 2019.

 

Click on the above image to go to Stuart's Facebook page for additional information.

 

 

From The Internet-

@Gerald Added a great video of an interview with Barry Todd and our good friend form Woodcraft, Frank Byers. If you watch the video, check out how Mr. Todd burnished a finial!

 

 

I've been adding some short videos into the Woodturner's Tips section. So far , they have been from Mike Peace. If you see videos that offer tips on turning, please add them to the "Tips" section- don't forget to add tags to your entry!

 

 

Everything Else-

With all the rain, I've had a little time to play at the lathe making ornaments for @Jim from Easy Wood Tools. One of the shapes I could never master is a sphere. I know the mechanics and the math but what comes off of the lathe could never be considered round! I did't want to spend the $$ purchasing a jig that would only be used occasionally. One turner/"inventor" I really enjoy following is Mr. David Reed Smith. Checking his site, I found a technique for turning spheres using a shop made jig.

 

The jig uses a shadow to check the turning progress. It consists of an adjustable platform sliding in a dovetail on a fixed base.

 

 

The platform is secured with a screw that pulls the dovetail tight. I used a fender washer to prevent the screw from gouging the base.

 

The fixed base is held on the lathe ways with magnets.

 

The platform holds the "pattern". 

 

And the shadow is created by an Ikea LED lamp suspended over the turning.

 

An alignment post is used to help position the lamp at the correct location.

 

The blank is turned while watching the shadow on the pattern. 

 

 

The setup looks like-

 

Harbor Freight has a small LED flashlight on sale. I'm trying to figure out how to use their magnetic base/arm to replace the Ikea suspended lamp. I think I'll need to get some metric tap and die stuff.

 

If you are interested in Mr. Smith's jig, here is the web page with the instructions on making it-

http://davidreedsmith.com/Articles/ShadowSphereJig/ShadowSphereJig.htm

 

Safe turning

Thank you Lew!!!!!!!

Interesting post Lew. Not sure I want to go to that much for a sphere. Love the look just not my piece of the pie. Really want to see that one finished.

great post Lew.  Lots going on with the Christmas ornaments.  Pretty early too.  The sphere turning method is unique.  First time I saw anything like it.  

@John Morris Thank You!

 

@Gerald Thanks! Actually the piece I turned was taken from a blank I originally glued up for a set of Salt and Pepper grinders that never got made.

 

I didn't really care for the design that was appearing when I turned it.

 

@HandyDan Thank You!

Lots of information this week. Thanks Lew.  Nice job on that little sphere tutorial.

 

Steve