Poplar Projects, bowls and possibly a mug or goblet.

[AndrewB]

Okay so I picked up some poplar this morning I wanted to make two poplar bowls.  I bought a 4 1/2 ' x 8" x 3/4" board of poplar this morning.  I was able to get two bowl blanks out of it.  I'm decisive on what to make out of the scrap.  I've got the left over pieces that I haven't thrown out because I knew I could make something out of them either way any suggestions from you guys on what I should do with the scraps.  I've got enough to either turn a mug or a goblet not sure on what I should create.  I also got my shop area organized a lot better so its not an absolute mess so that's a good feeling.

[lew]

Picture of the scraps would help. Not sure of what sizes you have.

[AndrewB]

Heres a couple shots of the scrap pieces....

Edited September 27, 2020 by AndrewB

[AndrewB]

Well I guess I wont be turning for a few days.... The harbor freight lathe the banjo well its a complete joke.  So I've got to buy a completely brand new one for it.  The banjo wouldn't fully lock down which is definitely a problem for me.  So I'm looking for a new one currently

[lew]

Model #?? There should be an adjustment on the underside

 

[lew]

There's a nut under the ways that adjust the amount of pressure the eccentric rod pulls down on the banjo body. Tighten the nut a little at a time until you get the pressure you need. Too much pressure will make the banjo difficult to slide on the ways.

[AndrewB]

Yep banjos fixed LOL.  I had to take the tail stock off unbolt it from the bench lift it up put the banjo back on.  If the bolt on the bottom of the banjo comes loose then the banjo is well toast until you can fix it.  Well problem solved at least for now I'm going to have to get some lock tight for that banjo though.  AH YEA before I forget @lew I did post in here the pictures of the scrap I have left and its quite a bit if and when I glue it all up.  But banjo problem solved for now.

Edited September 28, 2020 by AndrewB

[lew]

7 hours ago, AndrewB said:

Heres a couple shots of the scrap pieces....

Maybe glue a bunch together and make a pencil cup/holder 

[AndrewB]

Not sure on that one I don't really have a bunch of loose pencils or anything laying around the house. 

[Gerald]

Well that is another reason I would not have a HF lathe.

 

As to a project , How about a lidded box?

[AndrewB]

I could give that a shot.... I'm not familiar with boxes so Id have to watch a lot of videos on doing them.  The HF lathe isn't that bad.  Just certain parts arent the best.  I will eventually have to replace the belt on the motor as well but for now it's working good.  Minus the minor problem with the banjo that I was able to fix.

[AndrewB]

So with both poplar bowls about finished I was looking around on youtube yesterday watched a couple videos on people doing mugs.  I was thinking about giving a try on making a mug with the left over poplar.  I wouldn't be able to order the insert until Thursday.... How ever this is what I was contemplating trying.  I have plenty of epoxy not planning on using the 5 minute stuff if I don't have the right epoxy I'll have to go back and get some clear epoxy for it.  Either way this is what I was considering after looking around.  Pulled these pictures off amazon.

[lew]

May be a little too tall for hollowing with the tools you have 

[AndrewB]

hmmm I guess I'll figure something out you might be right on that one.

[lew]

I have the same kit and haven't made the wooden "cover" for the same reason- and I'm lazy.

 

 

[AndrewB]

Well I wound up going with a bowl.  I had already glued the entire piece and sadly it wouldn't fit in my bandsaw because it was too big.  So I had to break out the 3 pound hammer and hatchet and basically baton them in half.  Either way I wound up wasting about 4 pieces of scrap not a huge loss on that one SO not worried about what I wasted.  LOL.  But I wound up going with a small bowl for the piece that I was able to save....  Just wish I didn't glue all the pieces together then I would have had two small bowls out of it.  Oh well crap happens. 

[Gerald]

Boxes are just round or otherwise bowls with a lid. Nor that much to it and it provides a way to use all those scrapes. Not at home now but will post some pics later and maybe a video link.

[Gerald]

Boxes are easy to turn and work best if turned end grain. What this does is reduce problems from tops sticking due to shrinkage. Usually a scraper (or carbide ) works well on inside of boxes. Tops can be same wood or a contrasting wood. Blanks can be laminated layers of different woods.

This was my first box . Lid too tight as I thought they had to pop....wrong.

 

pecan with walnut top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one the wife claimed . Only 2x3.

Bloodwood, walnut and pecan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one is in my store but I just have not had great sales of boxes. This is paduk and maple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a couple basic links without getting longwinded.

Wood Whisper Turned Box

 

Carl Jacobson Lidded Box

[AndrewB]

I'll give that a try at some point.