| Project by Triumph1 | posted 01-05-2013 03:56 PM | 6973 views | 32 times favorited | 45 comments |  |
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It has been a while since I last posted on Lumberjocks. 2012 ended with a health scare and some life changes. Things are fine now and I am looking forward to starting over in 2013. I do want to thank fellow Lumberjock Grizzman for checking in on me and giving me a little nudge to get back on Lumberjocks.
So back to the cool stuff. These are kaleidoscopes I designed and crafted. I made two using Bocote and Curly Maple and two using Curly Shedua and Curly Maple. I called them “Escape” since that is what you get to do while looking through them. The kaleidoscope and stand started with glue ups of ¾” thick Curly Maple and a dark veneer. This gave me the thickness I needed. The final shapes of the kaleidoscopes and bases were created using compound cuts on the bandsaw, spindle sander and a lot of carving using a rotary tool and rasps. There are three face mirrors inside the kaleidoscopes and the oil filled wand supplies the eye candy. It is held in place with hidden o-rings.
Kaleidoscopes are a cool way to explore your creative side. It is also a fun way to show little kids what kind of toys we had when we were growing up.
Here is a link to Wood Magazines plan for a kaleidoscope.
I order kaleidoscope hardware kits from www.glasscrafters.com
Below are some “before finish” pictures.
-- Jeff , Wisconsin Please...can I stay in the basement a little longer, please!
45 comments so far
Sheila Landry (scrollgirl)
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9187 posts in 2611 days
#1 posted 01-05-2013 04:04 PM
Absolutely beautiful! Such an interesting project. I love kaleidoscopes! These are really lovely. Glad to have you back and glad you are feeling better. :)
Sheila
-- Designer/Artist/Teacher. Owner of Sheila Landry Designs (http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com) Scroll saw, wood working and painting patterns and surfaces. "Knowledge is Power"
JoeinGa
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7682 posts in 1698 days
#2 posted 01-05-2013 04:06 PM
I remember having kaleidoscopes as a kid, but they were NEVER as nice as these. Wonderful toys! Any kid OR adult would get hours of pleasure from these!
-- Perform A Random Act Of Kindness Today ... Pay It Forward
longgone
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5688 posts in 2999 days
#3 posted 01-05-2013 04:07 PM
Hello jeff…It is good to see you are back around and doing good after your health scare. Your kaleidoscopes are very nice but I am not sure how you would look into them…these are different that those remember as a kid back in the 50’s where I would look into a round tube. I look forward to seeing more of your work…
michelletwo
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2656 posts in 2706 days
#4 posted 01-05-2013 04:09 PM
glad you are back..I’ve missed your lovely work. these are splendid.
stefang
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15512 posts in 3025 days
#5 posted 01-05-2013 04:20 PM
Hi Jeff, I am glad you are back and healthy again.These don’t even have to be kaleidoscopes to be interesting! They are beautiful wood sculptures in their own right. Great work as always. Looking forward to seeing more of your always wonderful projects.
-- Mike, an American living in Norway.
choppertoo
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298 posts in 3004 days
#6 posted 01-05-2013 04:23 PM
Those look great. I’m betting the recipients will be very pleased.
-- The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that our aim is too low and we reach it.. Michelangelo
TurnTurnTurn
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613 posts in 2800 days
#7 posted 01-05-2013 04:35 PM
Great designs, as usual. Sorry to hear you had some health issues, and glad you healthy and back in the shop. Lets try to get together in the near future.
-- TurnTurnTurn
shipwright
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7576 posts in 2489 days
#8 posted 01-05-2013 04:44 PM
Mike nailed it. Beautiful sculptures, regardless of what they are for.
As kaleidoscopes, they are all the more wonderful.
It’s good to have your creative hands and mind back on the forum.
You were missed.
-- Paul M ..............If God wanted us to have fiberglass boats he would have given us fibreglass trees. http://thecanadianschooloffrenchmarquetry.com/
will delaney
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325 posts in 2326 days
#9 posted 01-05-2013 05:31 PM
Unique and beautiful !
Blake
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3442 posts in 3565 days
#10 posted 01-05-2013 05:31 PM
Nice Jeff!
-- Happy woodworking! http://www.openarmsphotography.com
doncutlip
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2832 posts in 3247 days
#11 posted 01-05-2013 05:38 PM
Real works of art, great photographs
-- Don, Royersford, PA
gbear
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503 posts in 3790 days
#12 posted 01-05-2013 05:45 PM
Very cool…terrific looking! Glad you are back and okay!! I always enjoy see your work.
-- gbear, Carmichael, CA
BritBoxmaker
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4609 posts in 2727 days
#13 posted 01-05-2013 05:46 PM
Beautifully designed and crafted. These are a real (and rare) treat to behold, Jeff.
It has been a while, you have been missed and I for one am grateful you are back. All the best.
-- Martyn -- Boxologist, Pattern Juggler and Candyman of the visually challenging. http://www.theartofboxes.com
quicksilver
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194 posts in 2279 days
#14 posted 01-05-2013 06:21 PM
Hope your health problems are gone for good.
Those are great kaleidoscopes.
Good adaption of an old plan.
Not many people have the knack for design.
Don’t stop.
-- Quicksilver
grizzman
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7836 posts in 2994 days
#15 posted 01-05-2013 06:31 PM
these are really quite beautiful Jeff a so glad t see your back and to see your work is wonderful inspiration…im going to look into doing some of these, your design is so eye catching..really good…
-- GRIZZMAN ...[''''']
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