Do i take the leap

[hughie]

This ornamental turning has always fascinated me and a part of me says go for it. But i also realize that it would take over my shop, a demanding mistress .
Also I suspect I would probably get more out of the building of one than operating it.

 

[Bill Blasic]

I know you would get joy in building one but I think that you would find that the stuff you get off of it would lead you to some very interesting work. Ornamental turning and Woodturning can be co-dependent and I'm sure you would do some mind bending stuff.

 

[RichColvin]

Hughie,

Please contact me via email at rich.colvin@gatech.edu. There is a fella in White Rock, NSW who started building an MDF rose engine in July last year. I don’t know how far that is from you, but I am quite sure he would be happy to chat with you about the fun he’s having with it.

And, as Bill noted, it is really awesome!

Kind regards,
Rich

 

[colinsp]

I built my first Rose Engine around 6 years ago having been inspired by Jon Magils original early 2000's article about his MDF Rose Engine. I haven't looked back since building mine not only have my ornamental skills develop so have my general woodturning skills as well as my metal working skills and also now designing and 3D printing of my rosettes. Ornamental turning has been great for learning new things other than just turning. Give it a go you won't be disappointed.