Turning Multi-Axis Icicle Ornament – My Answer To Skew Challenge
In case of difficulty, this video is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook. Best right here!
This project is my answer to Richard Findley’s skew icicle challenge. His request as for an icicle ornament turned only with a skew.
But, why not enhance it a little? Who has seen a perfectly round icicle. Multi-axis turning is the answer to give it a little more character. Still with skew only.
They key to a successful long eccentric project is a set of faceplates with the offsets as shallow holes. These faceplates enable positioning and power with a minimum of pressure from the live center. This minimizes the odds of the wood breaking under pressure. This is especially important for long, thin spindles.
On the spindle side, add 2 short (~.5″) brass pins: one goes to the eccentric axis position; one is a drive pin. On the live center, a single pin goes to the central axis or any of the offset holes. Of course, also drill a hole for the pin on the live center end of the project wood and two holes (center and 1 offset) on the spindle end.
For a project offsetting only the live center, move the pin to the appropriate hole in the faceplate. To offset the spindle end, move the project wood with the center pin to an offset hole and the other pin to provide rotation.
The icicle is 8″ long, finished with shellac.
Enjoy.
Allen. What were the dimensions of the wood before you started your turning. This is a very fine looking ornament and would look nice on a Christmas tree. Thanks for demonstrating.
about 3/4 square by 10″ long
You are welcome
Alan
Alan, after getting the spindle blank round, couldn’t you have held it in a chuck, like pen jaws or similar? This would greatly reduce the pressure on the blank, as there would only be that of the tailstock. My $0.02.
Keep up the good work!
Holding it in the chuck works great when there is only a single axis. However, not so good when offsetting axes. Plus, the offsets are pre-measured.
Alan