Woodturning Perfect Hollow Sphere – No Expensive Jig
by Alan Stratton on Friday, July 2nd, 2021 | 9 Comments
In case of difficulty viewing this post, it is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook.
For this project I turn a 2.7″ sphere from mesquite using the octagon method. I interrupted the octagon method to split and hollow the sphere. The sphere is finished with beeswax and mineral oil mix.
Important measures for octagon method.
- Distance from end of cylinder to nearest octagon corner
Diameter * 0.293 - Length of octagon sides
Diameter * 0.414
Cup Centers
- Any scrap wood held in a chuck with recess to hold the sphere.
Link to Basic Sphere Video
Rotating Live Center
- Penn State Industries #LTCA18
- Live Tailstock Chuck Adapter: 1 in. x 8tpi – #2MT Shaft
Beeswax/Mineral Oil Mix
- Shred 1/4 pound beeswax into double boiler.
- Add 1 pint mineral oil.
- Stir occasionally until creamy consistency. Let cool.
- Or put in hot attic for two days stirring a couple of times until creamy consistency.
- Do not use direct heat on wax. You risk a fire and burns.
Enjoy!
Alan the youtube link doesn’t work…. It only brings up a picture for me… I will try again later today when back home.
Thanks for letting me know. It should be fixed now.
BTW. that is the backup. Are you clicking on the arrow in the top picture. That usually starts the video.
Alan
another great video
Thanks.
You’re welcome.
Alan
Hi Alan, I also enjoy making spheres as they allow me use up leftover cubes of wood that otherwise would go in the fireplace, question is what do you do with them as they don’t sell and pile up?
Great question!.
Perhaps turn them into a larger creation.
Another vein of creativity!
Alan
Another fine demonstration! I will give it a go, but with a threaded flange. Spheres seem to lend themselves to a threaded connection.
What are the proportions for your bees wax and mineral oil mix ? Thanks
The recipe is lower down in the description.
Alan