My next turning project

I've got my wood lathe back running in the shop. My next project will be to see what I can do with a Banksia nut pod.



I know Mark (lewy) will know about them since they grow in western Australia. I knew nothing about them until the other day a friend handed me one.. I didn't even know what it was until I Googled. That's when I found out the common use is for wood turning. Here's what they look like after turning.



I'll have to post a picture after I'm done with it. Hopefully it will turn out as good looking and unusual as the pictures I found!

Gary,
I do miss the old U-Verse days since I haven't yet gone for anything beyond the antenna on the roof to the TV via a digital/analog converter! I can get the big 3 network stations and then some UHF's. Thanks for mentioning "the Great Outdoors. I'll look it up as it may come in on one of the UHF's. When I was searching to find out what the seed pod was, I did come across some youtube videos. and found that it sure is an interesting item to turn.

8122pbrainard wrote: Gary, I do miss the old U-Verse days since I haven't yet gone for anything beyond the antenna on the roof .

It's all I have down south Pete. The only time you will be missing it is in the winter, In the summer you'll be busy with the house,boating and being retired

The lathe, one of the more creative machines for woodworking but lack of practicle applications leaves it for past time uses mostly. I have been setting my lathe up also Pete and first step is hanging the tools up behind the lathe so as to have ease of selection during the turning. I have an articulating Delta lathe that can be spun with the head out for bowl turning however have never turned one. Have you?

juniorwoody wrote: The lathe, one of the more creative machines for woodworking but lack of practicle applications leaves it for past time uses mostly. I have been setting my lathe up also Pete and first step is hanging the tools up behind the lathe so as to have ease of selection during the turning. I have an articulating Delta lathe that can be spun with the head out for bowl turning however have never turned one. Have you?

       
Jack,
It does take some practice so go at it. When you start again, I suggest starting with a shallow plate or a spindle to get reacquainted . I started way back in grade school when the Chicago Park district had wood shops. That was before the days when liability concerns shut them down.

Here's some projects I've done recently in the "Off Season" thread

Regarding the tools, here's mine:



Understand the wood lathe is probably the dirtiest piece of equipment in a wood shop since most shavings and dust go toward the operator. Placement of the hood in the rear isn't ideal but it's really the only spot you can put it. Back in my old garage shop, I dusted up the wife's car a couple times and learned real quick to pull her car out of the garage before turning!! The sanding dust goes everywhere!! Now in my shop up here, the hood will suck up some of the shavings but sucks most of the dust when sanding.

I bet that will give you a fun project and a great result.

They make great gifts, and they're hard to beat for using up small leftovers. Mostly the mini lathe I have is just plain fun.

Tim, you might wanna rephrase that first line!

8122pbrainard wrote: Hopefully it will turn out as good looking and unusual as the pictures I found!

Your are always hopeful but you never know what you will get into when turning. This was especially turn with this very unusual seed pod. I kept running in fissures plus there's a layer of fuzzy stuff you need to get through and the top of the pod had a twist off to one side. Consequently the project turned out a lot smaller than I had hoped and not the shape I had wanted. Wow, is the wood hard!! This was a time I wish I had carbide tools since I was constantly at the grinder sharpening my HSS. Well, at least it still will hold a candle and it sure is unusual!!

So you can teach an old dog new tricks. ....Good job Pete... Nut Pod huh?

peter1234 wrote: nice to see a set of drawings without coffee stains cat prints and buggered up corners

I had no idea the drawings for a nutpod were so complex.