My First Ornament

[Nate Davey]

This is the first ornament I've done. It didn't look so symmetric while on the lathe or pointy in the middle. It is walnut and holly with a CA finish. As I'm a new turner and have never done finials or things of the like before, I am very happy with #1. There were certainly some challenges I had to work through with turning and assembly and the next one should be "easier". Candid criticism would be appreciated.

[Bob Noles]

I have yet to turn my first ornament and can only hope it turns out half as nice as yours when I do.

Great job and a wonderful finish!

[David E Keller]

It's tiny! I think you did well for a first effort. The second photo makes it look like the top and bottom are not perfectly aligned, but that won't make any difference when it hanging on the tree. About the only thing I would suggest would be to strive for a more consistent curve on the body of the piece... Always easier to say than to do!;)

[Michael Short]

Nice job Nate.

[John Keeton]

First ornament, first finial, first multi piece turning - I would say you did a fine job! Little work on the sphere, and crisper detail on the finial would take it up a notch, but still very nice.

[Roger Chandler]

N-I-C-E! Pretty good for a first!

[Bernie Weishapl]

You did well. Small and but hopefully your first of many.

[gary Zimmel]

Making turnings that size is really going to make the wood stash last!
Nice work on that first ornament Nate.

[Bill Bolen]

Mighty nice, especially for the first...Bill...

[Scott Hackler]

Really, really nice for your first one. My first ornament had a pendant as big around as my thumb!

Don't really need to tell you the common sence stuff, but work on the "bulb" shape. Perfectly round is a skill and takes a lot of practice. You can make flattened bulbs and it takes the worry away from the sphere shape. One thing that I do is to stop once in a while and either place my hand beneath the turning or to place a piece of paper to show a solid color contrast. That way I can study my curves and see if any little touch ups are needed.

Very nice job on this one. Dont ever give it away or sell it.

[steven carter]

Nate,

Very nice first ornament. Some have mentioned the roundness of the globe, and perhaps an elongation of the bulb part of the finial might work. I think you did a good job on the transition of the finials to the globe. Keep this first one nearby, I am sure you will notice improvement with more under your belt.

Steve

[john snowdon]

I saw your post last night, Nate and thought how nice it looked, especially for your first attempt. As I keep telling myself, practice makes better! That thought was reinforced this afternoon when I was in a high end craft store and saw a display where none of the ornaments were nicer. Good job. I'm sure it will look great hanging on your tree!

[Paul Douglass]

That is a nice one. I think that is the next thing up on my lathe to try.

[Baxter Smith]

Very nice Nate. Hope my first (someday) comes out that well!

[Jeff Nicol]

Nate, Since it is your first ornament and you are a new turner, you are on your way. With every new piece you turn and every practice bonker you turn for the pleasure of seeing the shapes change before your eyes, your skills will improve. The diminutive size of this one reminds me that I had planned to turn some little ones this year. I worked most of the day on ornaments and will post a couple tomorrow.

Keep on spinning wood!

Jeff

[Nate Davey]

Thank you all for your kind words and very helpful advise.

What size, typically are your globes?

I took this one to work today to show one of the turners I work with. While there I was asked to do several more for individuals, commissions I guess you could say, and one for our family support group christmas auction. So I guess I better up my game some. I also got a "commission" for a Harry Potter wand for some ones daughter. Looks like this hobby may start paying for it's self.

Scott, unfortunately I promised this one to the guy who GIVES me all my wood. Sure would like to keep it though.

[Doug W Swanson]

Very nice for your first go at it. I have yet to tackle that type of ornament but when I do I sure hope it turns out as nice as yours.

[Roy Lindberry]

Forgive my newbie question, but when you do something like that, is it glued up first and then turned, or do you do the pieces individually and then attach them?

And how exactly are they joined?

I keep seeing pieces like this and wondering.

[Tim Rinehart]

Roy,
I think the glue up on most is the last thing done, but depends on the transitions you are shooting for. If you want it 'seamless', you'll have to do glueing before final turning/sanding.
Make sense?

Most ornaments have not enough need for a blended transition to warrant the extra hassle (potentially) of gluing up first.

Regardless of transition, be sure the inside of the globe is hollowed out to reduce some weight.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Congrats on your first ornament! Only suggestion I can offer is to turn a bunch of them! Form and detail work just sort of evolves along with your experience level!

Most important thing is to have fun!

[Roland Martin]

Very nice ornament, Nate. I,ve Gotta try that sometime.

[Roy Lindberry]

Roy,
I think the glue up on most is the last thing done, but depends on the transitions you are shooting for. If you want it 'seamless', you'll have to do glueing before final turning/sanding.
Make sense?

Most ornaments have not enough need for a blended transition to warrant the extra hassle (potentially) of gluing up first.

Regardless of transition, be sure the inside of the globe is hollowed out to reduce some weight.
Thanks. Is there a tutorial on this sort of thing that anybody is aware of?

[Tim Rinehart]

Thanks. Is there a tutorial on this sort of thing that anybody is aware of?
You can find alot by doing a search on web, I used search terms of "turning christmas ornaments video" and got several hits. This pdf file looks pretty good in describing how I recently did a couple ornaments.
http://www.ptwoodturners.org/Tips%20and%20Handouts/Turning%20Finials%20and%20Ornaments%20with%20pics-Word%2097%20Ver2.pdf

If the ornament is to be displayed on a stand of it's own...it probably doesn't matter about the hollowing out part. I think any ornament that goes on a tree needs to be light as possible.

Have fun and be sure to show us some of your finished pieces!