My I-X collet chucks are here! Now I need some good weather for some outdoor turning. Another plus, my mother-in-law pulled out a sizable chunk of black walnut and gave it to me. Plus she told me about turning a lamp base from a used bowling pin when she was 8! Her dad taught shop. She still uses the lamp. The black walnut chunk came from a large mature tree that was in the side yard of her former home. Apparently she has been seasoning/ignoring it for a couple decades. It is a large but odd shaped chunk from the bottom of a large branch that fell. I know there are a good number of brush handles and inkwell stands in there, but I hope to get a couple small bowl blanks out of it as well. We’ll see...
Under close inspection, my black walnut chunk turned out to be a section of a crotch. With a lot of work, I got it to split along the lines of the old bark that was now deep in the interior where the two branches grew together. Next step - visualize the many blanks hiding inside the four chunks that I might actually get through my saw. A friend with a big band saw would be a plus. There is a boot toe in there for scale.
I am way over-excited, but... I just had the opportunity to use my I-X collets for a first test run. Still some details to iron out, but I am loving this tool. I cut myself a low-quality fruitwood blank (my pear tree) to exact length, gave it a taste of the 1 1/8 Forstner, and did all the turning on the collet. I owe a guy a 28mm knot boar brush, so I rushed off in that direction immediately. He wants a stubby sort of handle, but this is practice. Here is a photo of the unfinished piece, with the knot lofted mid 50’s, about where I think it should go. My JT33 chuck does not hold the I-X collet securely, so I have some shopping to do. I’m doubtful that I will finish this handle, since the blank was not fully seasoned and this knot is not my size.
I’ve been watching this thread for a several weeks. Last spring I was able to score a few pieces of equipment from a retiring coworker. One being a jet lathe. I’ve only done a few brushes. These are my first try at using a wood lathe, and as an avid wet shaver, I am thoroughly hooked on this hobby!
Technique? Shoot, I don’t know about a technique. I watched a couple YouTube videos and started playing around. I found a couple pics online and blew them up on my phone to a similar size and measuring with a ruler. From there I just kind of went with it.
Thank you all for your kindness. Honestly, I’ve just been playing with this lathe and got lucky I think. But it sure is fun.
Nice work! Form follows Function - if a handle fits your hand and has a deep enough socket to hold a knot, it's good. Embellishments, curves, hand detailing after turning can add distinction and difference to your style. I've developed my preference as a brush user - Professional Barber Style; flat bottom, deep recess for increasing backbone of the knot. fairly tall and thick for my big hands. Others are Beehive fans, or prefer Grecian Urn lovers. You are in the enviable position of being able to experiment!
Have completed a few wood/resin combo handles. Here’s what 4 looked like after coming from moulds: Over the past few nights I turned the two blue ones. One has a Zenith Boar in it and I will be keeping it: Another is going to a friend: The blotchiness is in the wood and looks worse in the pic to be honest. Taking cues from @KUSTOM and others, I finished with CA glue on the lathe and then a series of ultra fine pads. It was the first time for me doing this, and I really like it. I do so many with paint and texture that makes finishing like this very difficult. Not a problem with these. Looking forward to the other two this weekend!
