Woodturning Heart For My Valentine Plus A Collet Flop
by Alan Stratton on Friday, February 15th, 2019 | 6 Comments
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This is an early release for Valentine’s Day. I turned this hazelwood heart for my wife. It is turned from a 7/8″ cylinder which is then sliced at a steep angle. The two parts are then rotated and reglued to form a heart.
In the process, I tried to make and use a wooden collet to hold the cylinder. The wooden collet is modeled after steel collets used in metal working. My collet failed but I think the concept could be useful in woodturning. Please view this video and add your suggestions.
Happy Valentine’s Day.
Enjoy!
Hold the half’s in a notched wood clamp and hollow out with a small forstner bit. You would have to secure the clamp to your drill press table. A very short piece of dowel could then be used for glue up.
Thank you for your suggestions. I appreciate the idea.
Alan
Just a though about the wooden collet. If green wood were used then there might be more flexibility and less cracking.
I did a pink ivory bowl for my valentine. First time I tried to turn pink ivory, it turns and finishes beautifully. At the cost of the wood it will probably be the last time I turn pink ivory.
I enjoy your videos and creativity, thanks for being willing to produce them.
I’ve yet to turn pink ivory – the cost has been a huge obstacle.
Thank you for your suggestions. I appreciate the idea.
Alan
Hi Alan,
I’ve been watching your videos for a year now and have really been enjoying them. I have a thought for you on being able to hollow the heart. I think if you were to make the intital blank a little longer, cut it square in half then hollow each half, cut the diagonals then glue up you could make it lighter.
I don’t have much experience to help with the collet issue. Perhaps only one cut would allow enough flex and strength but it might need to be a close fit to the blank.
Please keep the videos coming. I await them, patiently??
Thanks
Tony Gentry
That’s probably the way I’ll have to go for hollowing.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Alan Stratton