Beading Tools

[HandyDan]

I was making some small bowls for fun and played around with beading as a decoration on them.  I had an idea that a roll pin is hardened and round and wondered whether it could be ground for this purpose.  Gave it a try and it did work after fussing with it at the grinder.  Trial and error stuff.  Here is what it looks like and it does work.  It is a 5/16" roll pin and I get a 3/16" bead.  The roll pin is mounter in a 5/16" hole drilled into a 3/8" rod.

 

 

 

 

This is a sample of the bead I got with it.

 

 

Then I was on YouTube and saw a small spindle gouge reground for beading.  Went looking and found a Chinese made spindle gouge in my stash of auction purchases,  Took it to the grinder and success was at hand.  It makes a 1/4" bead.  The edges of  the flute are laid on the tool rest while in use and dinging them up would be bad so I found a piece of brass tubing that made the perfect guard for them.

 

 

 

Here is the first bowl I used it on.  I'm in the process of putting finish on it.  It's wormy Chestnut 5" diameter.

 

 

Here's the video.

 

 

[lew]

Thanks, Dan!!

[RustyFN]

Thanks Dan. I will have to look into that being as I suck at making them with a normal gouge.

[Steve Krumanaker]

Certainly nothing wrong with those beads. I call it a success!