| Project by Blake | posted 314 days ago | 193 views | 0 times favorited | 5 comments |  |
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I have never used a lathe before. But recently at the used tool store I work at, we got in a used “sherline” mini metal lathe and mini milling machine. So I chucked up a couple of pieces of that spalted red alder and went to work. You could call it “product testing and quality control.”
Anyway, since it was actually a mini metal lathe, using it to turn was like playing with an etch-a-sketch. There was one dial to move the cutting point in/out and another dial to move it along the turning. It was a lot of fun and I like what I came out with.
You will notice some voids, those are worm holes, which I love.
The dish is about two inches tall by three inches wide. The Vase is about three inches or four inches tall. Perfect for one pansy.
Since I have set up my shop I promised I would stay away from lathes because I new if I ever tried turning I would be totally hooked. I would probably never get anything else done. I love how turnings look, especially “turned air” pieces, which feature large voids. But if I go down that road it involves an entire arsenal of new tools which I don’t have the space or dough for. So for now, enjoy but don’t expect any more of these. If you have turned pieces, I would like to see them. Direct me to your projects.
-- Dust collectors suck.
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5 comments so far
CharlieM1958
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3965 posts in 661 days
posted 314 days ago
Nice, Blake.
I’m with you 100% on turning. I’d love to get into it, but there just isn’t enough time, space, or money.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
MsDebbieP
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11555 posts in 603 days
posted 314 days ago
dang this is sweet
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Cathy Krumrei
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238 posts in 629 days
posted 313 days ago
Yes they are sweet! Love the shape. Enjoyed seeing those.
-- Cathy Krumrei (Krum) http://www.TheCarversCorner.com
PanamaJack
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4453 posts in 520 days
posted 313 days ago
Better than any popcorn I have ever had.
Great piece of woodworking also. Downright purdyful work.
-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,
Alin Dobra
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316 posts in 331 days
posted 278 days ago
Blake,
You are right to think that woodturning is addictive. Woodturning with a wood lathe is even more addictive than you think since it works much faster than metal turning (no etch-a-sketch feeling, you turn completely freehand using a full body movement—I do most of my turning from the heaps not hands).
Nice pieces though.
Alin
-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida