Faust M. Ruggiero
04-22-2010, 8:35 AM
Hello Wood Turners,
Would you be willing to share a bit of your experience with me? I'm a woodworker but not a very experienced turner. I have the machine and quite a few accessories acquired with the used lathe I own but very little experience. I need to turn finials in the shape of a squat onion. I built a large table with a 3" wide apron. The apron joins 3" square blocks at the four corners of the table. The aprons are carved and quite decorative and the blocks need something to finish them off. The blocks will stand proud of the apron by 1/2" and the corners will have a 3/8" wide chamfer. The bottom of the block will be slightly rounded to soften the appearance and create a soft transition into the round finial. I want to turn a finial that will attach to the under side of the block. The diameter of the finial will be slightly larger than the block. Here are my questions:
How do I drill a hole dead center in the block to accept a round mortise?
Can these be turned between centers or do I have to somehow secure the pieces to a faceplate?
I'm sure this is basic stuff but not for me. Thanks for the help.
Butch
Would you be willing to share a bit of your experience with me? I'm a woodworker but not a very experienced turner. I have the machine and quite a few accessories acquired with the used lathe I own but very little experience. I need to turn finials in the shape of a squat onion. I built a large table with a 3" wide apron. The apron joins 3" square blocks at the four corners of the table. The aprons are carved and quite decorative and the blocks need something to finish them off. The blocks will stand proud of the apron by 1/2" and the corners will have a 3/8" wide chamfer. The bottom of the block will be slightly rounded to soften the appearance and create a soft transition into the round finial. I want to turn a finial that will attach to the under side of the block. The diameter of the finial will be slightly larger than the block. Here are my questions:
How do I drill a hole dead center in the block to accept a round mortise?
Can these be turned between centers or do I have to somehow secure the pieces to a faceplate?
I'm sure this is basic stuff but not for me. Thanks for the help.
Butch