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Congratulations to Tom Hale for "Bud Vase" being selected as Turning of the Week for September 29, 2025 (click here for details) -
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What’s on your lathe?
- Thread starter Rusty Nesmith
- Start date
Another collaboration with my daughter. Her design. It is Buckeye Burl donated by a former club member. So far we have not used any CA to strengthen the many weak spots. Some of the wood is like turning styrofoam.
Going through the bottom always sucks. Going through the bottom after you are done hollowing, REALLY sucks.
Wanted to work on some hollow forms this week but had a request for a couple more walnut bowls. I guess sales supersedes wants
. I was able to turn a little leftover piece of the cherry burl I had set aside.
. I was able to turn a little leftover piece of the cherry burl I had set aside.
I would try a slurry of wood glue and sawdust plastered to the inside. After it cures you may have a second chance without the outside looking carved up.
Third try and first success—4 1/2 inch piece hollowed through a 1/2 inch opening. Still needs sanding and finish but it’s off the lathe. Madrone—sweet smell turning it. It’s a lot of work but at least the inside doesn’t get sanded! 
I put it in a donut chuck, made the opening bigger, and filled it with this piece—desert ironwood, I think. Will try to finish it this weekend. Could draw a face on it—looks like the Jack in the Box character
Tom Gall
TOTW Team
End result is very nice, Greg. My question is why are you using so much wood? Seems like you could have used just half or less of the length and achieved the same result .... and, be closer to the headstock. Is there something I'm missing about a Jimmie Allen design?
Thanks , there is almost no wasted wood. What you are seeing is the use of maple glue blocks and a mandrel on the headstock on both sides of the cherry blocks. In fact I used almost all the wood for the base and only about a qtr inch was wasted on the lid. I was able to make a jamb chuck out of it.
Attachments
Greg, I do use waste blocks for all the threaded boxes I do, but not for the slow drop boxes, what I call my 3 to 5 second boxes, since it takes that long for the bottom to drop off if you pick it up by the lid. That may actually be more efficient than using a small tenon.... Have to ponder this one.
robo hippy
robo hippy
Hollowed out a small cedar vase and turned a natural edge today. The natural edge was an older piece of cedar that had a few cracks in the sapwood. I used some CA to fix instead of turning the sapwood away. Not the best color but someone will like it!
Working on a scrapmade vessel with stave components, plywood segments and a top ring of mystery wood.
I like the legs
Mark Hepburn
Artist & Chef
That's a great looking bowl Odie!
Mark Hepburn
Artist & Chef
Pat, what’s the swing on your lathe? That table top Looks great.
Finished it. Danish oil finish
Attachments
Working with walnut and juniper today.
Nice! Where do you but the metal point (is this how you call it?)... also, what string are you using on this one? is there a size, name that I can search on?
Piece of cherry and a piece of butternut next in line.
Not on the lathe but in the workshop. I made some oatmeal/raison cookies for snacks.
Not on the lathe but in the workshop. I made some oatmeal/raison cookies for snacks.
Pedestal complete. 3 coats of shellac applied. Working on the feet and table top now.
You sure are versatile. I’m a one trick pony but you keep coming up with new and varied items. It’s impressive.
Mark Hepburn
Artist & Chef
Working on a box in spalted tamarind. It'll have a bronze acrylic lid with a finial.
That looks fantastic, I love the spalting and the shape!
Mark Hepburn
Artist & Chef
thank you!
Turning a couple of hollow forms today. Finished one 5-1/4 tall x 9-1/4 dia., other one wrapped and will finish tomorrow. Time for some college football!
Thanks! I started out making furniture for myself way back when, we were just getting started as we couldn't afford any. Made these cabinets in my office/ computer room. I also did carpentry work. Have done 4 bathrooms and 3 kitchens.
Maybe if I stick to one thing I'll get as good as you!
