Project Information
June 12, 2012
In a previous post I had questions on the decorative finish I applied to a metal shroud that was part of my project. Engine turning seems to be the most common term used for this technique.
PHOTO #2
The tool that i made for this starts with a dowel about 1-1/4 inch in diameter and about 1-1/2 inch long. I chose this diameter because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life making tiny swirls on the steel shroud.
I then drilled a hole for a 5/16 inch steel threaded insert. I did this on my lathe with a drill chuck and drill bit.
I then cut off the head of a 5/16 inch bolt (about 2-1/2 inch long) and attached the bolt-stud to the threaded insert with a washer and nut.
PHOTO #3
On the opposite end of the wooden dowel I used double-stick carpet tape to attach a disk of foam the size of the dowel. The foam I used is the same type you would use on the ground when you go camping. Instead of foam, you could stick some cork on the end of the dowel. I then attached a disc of 60 grit 3X sandpaper also cut to the size of the dowel and foam.
I then chucked this tool in a hand drill and started decorating.
PHOTO #1
This is the result of this FREE HAND effort. I was not out to win any prizes with this project so i didn't get too picky with the placement of the swirls.
However, to do this "engine turning" properly, each swirl should be evenly spaced and overlapped. It would have been better if this was done BEFORE the steel shroud was shaped. Putting swirls on a flat piece of metal is a lot easier.
Instead of using 60 grit sandpaper as i did, you could also use valve grinding compound.
There are other ways to accomplish this and can be found on the internet with a google search of ENGINE TURNING for those that are interested.
Hope this answered the question in my previous post.
All comments welcomed. Thanks for looking.
In a previous post I had questions on the decorative finish I applied to a metal shroud that was part of my project. Engine turning seems to be the most common term used for this technique.
PHOTO #2
The tool that i made for this starts with a dowel about 1-1/4 inch in diameter and about 1-1/2 inch long. I chose this diameter because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life making tiny swirls on the steel shroud.
I then drilled a hole for a 5/16 inch steel threaded insert. I did this on my lathe with a drill chuck and drill bit.
I then cut off the head of a 5/16 inch bolt (about 2-1/2 inch long) and attached the bolt-stud to the threaded insert with a washer and nut.
PHOTO #3
On the opposite end of the wooden dowel I used double-stick carpet tape to attach a disk of foam the size of the dowel. The foam I used is the same type you would use on the ground when you go camping. Instead of foam, you could stick some cork on the end of the dowel. I then attached a disc of 60 grit 3X sandpaper also cut to the size of the dowel and foam.
I then chucked this tool in a hand drill and started decorating.
PHOTO #1
This is the result of this FREE HAND effort. I was not out to win any prizes with this project so i didn't get too picky with the placement of the swirls.
However, to do this "engine turning" properly, each swirl should be evenly spaced and overlapped. It would have been better if this was done BEFORE the steel shroud was shaped. Putting swirls on a flat piece of metal is a lot easier.
Instead of using 60 grit sandpaper as i did, you could also use valve grinding compound.
There are other ways to accomplish this and can be found on the internet with a google search of ENGINE TURNING for those that are interested.
Hope this answered the question in my previous post.
All comments welcomed. Thanks for looking.