Turning a goblet on the monster or 'what I did this morning'

[Mark Norman]

I see a lot of fine finished pieces posted but I really like to see the work in progress and I keep my camera in the wood-shop to document the progress.

So about noon I went out and spent an hour cleaning up the shop. I could have spent another two or three hours on doing so but the machine was screaming at me to put one of them chunks of walnut on it so it could play. I had to oblige just to shut it up;)

I surveyed the pieces and chose one lucky piece that would provide today's entertainment...

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Goblet/100_1929.jpg

Then I screwed a faceplate to the unsuspecting piece of wood and mounted it to the spindle....

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Goblet/100_1932.jpg

I modified my custom tool rest by cutting off the bottom horizontal member so it would straddle the body of the concrete beast.

Then I made it more of less round..

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Goblet/100_1935.jpg

It started taking shape...

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Goblet/100_1936.jpg

such beauty is hiding in there...

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Goblet/100_1937.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Goblet/100_1938.jpg

The shape just became what it wanted to be,,,

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Goblet/100_1939.jpg

I continued to refine it...hit it with the scraper just to see if it liked it..

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Goblet/100_1940.jpg

Started adding a little detail to it.. Practicing my cutting technique...

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Goblet/100_1943.jpg

Just came in for a break. I'll head back out in a few and continue with some fine tuning and then take out the stuff that fills the void where the wine should be...

[Mark Norman]

I turned the tennon on it
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Goblet/100_1944.jpg

And fitted the chuck on it.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Goblet/100_1945.jpg

Flipped it around.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Goblet/100_1946.jpg

and proceeded to snap it in half...

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Goblet/100_1948.jpg

So I put the faceplate back on it and turned a new tennon on the bottom..

I guess it wont be much of a goblet:(

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Goblet/100_1949.jpg

[Garth Jones]

Maybe not, but that has the makings of a very nice vase. :)

Garth

[Mark Norman]

Maybe not, but that has the makings of a very nice vase. :)

Garth


Yes it will. Thanks Garth,

I see a good excuse for buying a smaller set of jaws for my SN2 chuck. (I turned the tennon smaller than my jaws will accept) Live and learn.

It is purdy wood so I wont waste it.

[Gary Conklin]

Guess that wood just didn't want to be a goblet!:eek: Looks like a good save though.:)

[David Drickhamer]

I agree with Garth. A heck of a nice vase.
Dave

[Brian McInturff]

Mark,
Next time do your hollowing out before you make the stem small like that. But that's really how we learn the easiest. Is by our own mistakes. I did the exact same thing a few years ago when I made my first goblet. I was thinking "shape the outside first and then hollow". I found out the hard way you can't. or shouldn't do that. On a positive note, Great save!! That will make a beautiful vase.And your technique looks really good from what I can tell. Smooth curves, good form with the detail. You are really going to excel at woodturning.:cool:

[Dick Strauss]

Mark,
Sapwood usually doesn't have the same strength as the heartwood so you had too much working against you. Very nice save sir...that will still end up as a nice piece!

[Reed Gray]

It also looks like you may have been turning cross grain, which will make it weaker at that point as compared to long grain, which is a lot stronger.
robo hippy

[Marc Himes]

It sure does look like a nice vase. I haven't turned a goblet yet, but I have had my share of "design adjustments" It looks like you still will have a very nice piece when it is done.

Marc Himes

[Steve Schlumpf]

Sure is some pretty wood Mark!

Couple of good pointers from folks here - like Brian mentioned - form the bowl portion of the goblet first, then hollow it - then turn the stem. Works a lot better!

Other good point was from Reed - if you turn your next goblet 'end grain' it will have a lot more strength in the smaller diameter stem.

No matter what - you look like you are having fun - and learning at the same time! Keep up the good work!

[Mark Norman]

I will learn from the mistakes...Thats what its all about right?

Some real good advice from the folks here and it is appreciated a lot!
I went right back out and spent the afternoon turning another piece (I should find cheap wood to practice on:eek:)

Thanks for all the pointers and encouragement. I will endeavour to persevere.. I'm having trouble uploading pics but stay tuned...

[alex carey]

Goblets can be really tough, especially if they aren't end grain and you don't have a tailstock, keep at it though.

[Mark Norman]

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/walnut%20creation/100_1952.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/walnut%20creation/100_1953.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/walnut%20creation/100_1968.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/walnut%20creation/100_1969.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/walnut%20creation/100_1970.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/walnut%20creation/100_1973.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/walnut%20creation/100_1974.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/walnut%20creation/100_1975.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/walnut%20creation/100_1976.jpg


I soaked it with ancchorseal and will save the piece for a time when my skill is worthy....

[Norm Zax]

Very very nice wood! All tips already mouthed but will repeat: green wood may not be as tough as it seems, specially not when the grain is going in all directions. Hollow first. I'll even add: hollow in stages - first the top third, then another third and finally the inner part. That'll give as much support as possible. We're not talking breakage here but vibration. Enjoy!

[Chris Haas]

i havent read your concrete bowl lathe thread yet, kind of overwelming, but seening it in the background. YOUR AN ANIMAL. that is awesome now i'm going to have to read that massive thread and start keeping my eye open for leftover block at jobsites. GREAT JOB, oh, and the goblet is cool to, but like previously stated, needs to be endgrain, and hollowed first. AWESOME LATHE!!!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Mark you have gotten some good advice. All I can say is the walnut looks mighty fine. Keep working at it and practicing. That is how we learn.

[Jim Kountz]

Mark is is really neat to see you having so much fun on that lathe you made yourself. I would imagine its just a really nice feeling everytime you turn it on to know you "created" it!!

[robert hainstock]

In your part of the world, "walnut" comes in two or three subspecies. I believe form your wonderful pictures that you are turning one of those other than american Black walnut. That stuff you are turning is just too pretty to answer to the name, "American black". Could it be Claro, or maybe "English"? Whatever, it is gorgeous, and your Pictures realy highlight it so very well. Thanks for posting, and keep them coming. :D:D:D:D:D
Bob

[Mark Norman]

It really helps my learning curve with the many years of experienced advice offered here.

I just cant get over this piece I turned last night, the cracks in the end grain just further accent the otherwise gorgeous character in the grain.

This pic is now my wallpaper on my pc.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/walnut%20creation/100_1975.jpg

This is the piece I started with, I called it the praying alien ;):

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/Walnut%20score/100_1817.jpg

I might go out today and cut a mortise in it and see about hollowing it out but boy am I nervous about doing so.. With experience comes confidence so I am tempted to set it aside for a few months to reduce the risk of destroying this beautiful piece.

My understanding is that this is American black walnut root stock grafted with English walnut nut producing tree stock. the trees were approximately 80 to 100 years old and had quit producing so they were cut down for firewood. The stumps were too big to split so they were offered to me.
I was truly blessed with the arrival of the wood at such a time when I was nearing completion on building my machine.

Jim, I will be looking into coring as soon as I can afford the equipment needed and I will eventualy do hollowing as well.

As you could probably tell I am a hobbyist photographer and the skill comes in handy in my new turning career.

Thanks again for all your insight and instruction.
Mark