Baby Rattle Completed

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Everyone,

In the previous thread below, I asked a question of how to turn baby rattles. I started out wanting to make a rattle with captivated rings. The safety aspect of the rings, I decided to make a rattle with a cavity.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=13289

I found a how-to article here:
http://www.woodturner.org/products/aw/babyrattle_fall04.pdf

I pretty much followed the article, except I routed the cavity by hand. This was a very fun project. My sister thought it was very neat when I gave it to her for xmas.

The first picture is of the rattle. My big mitt is in the photo to give you perspective.

The second photo shows what I call the "tear drop" in the handle. I made the rattle out of maple and walnut and while I was turning the drop developed on each side.

When the baby is born I plan to have it laser engraved with the date and the full name.

http://www.woodworkersweb.com/modules/gallery/albums/albut49/100_7229.sized.jpg
http://www.woodworkersweb.com/modules/gallery/albums/albut49/100_7227.sized.jpg

[John Miliunas]

Hey Jeff, that teardrop design on the handle really sets it off nicely! Well done! Where you gonna' have it engraved?:cool:

[Jeff Sudmeier]

John, that was my question for you, if you had any ideas on where to do it! :)

[John Miliunas]

John, that was my question for you, if you had any ideas on where to do it! :)
Jeff, I've not had any done myself, but I would suggest you put the word out on our very own Laser forum here at SMC! I have to believe someone would be willing to help pay for their laser a bit and you know that if they're doing work for a fellow Creeker, it would be done well! Just a suggestion.....:) :cool:

[Ted Shrader]

Jeff -

Nice work. Did you use the recommended black eye peas as the "rattle" or something else?

Ted

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Ted, I used tiny marbles instead. I figured it would last longer that way and I didn't have any peas.

[Charles McKinley]

Hi Jeff,

That is a very nice rattle. The tear drop on the handle is wonderful. Change the story to how you planned that to happen! They will never know.

Unfortunatly for me the plans are still in my round-to-it stack.

[Keel McDonald]

Jeff,

Nice rattle. I am in the process of trying to turn one as well. Did you rout (or hand rout) the cavity in the maple only, then glue the pieces together? I've never seen it done that way. Thanks

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Jeff,

Nice rattle. I am in the process of trying to turn one as well. Did you rout (or hand rout) the cavity in the maple only, then glue the pieces together? I've never seen it done that way. Thanks
Keel,

Nope I made up the blank in one solid peice. The blank needed to be 2x2 at least. All I had was 3/4 stock so I glued up two pieces of walnut on either side of the maple, for 2 1/4 inches. To end up with a square block, I ripped each peice of the glue up to 2 1/2 inches wide. Then I glued up the block with the walnut on the outside of the maple. When it was dry I, jointed one edge. Then I ran it through the table saw at 1 1/8 inch. So now I have one half at 2 1/4 x 1 1/8. The other is about 2 1/4 x 1 1/4. I ripped the other half to be exactly the same dimmension. Then I hand routed each half with a matching cavity. I put in the marbles and glued the halves back together.

I should mention that when I ripped the blank in half, I did it with the walnut face down on the table saw. The reason for this is so that I did not remove 1/8 (saw kerf) from the maple. I would have lost the 1/8 if I would have ripped right down the center of the maple.

I hope this is clear, I had to think about it a bit before I did it! ;)

[Keel McDonald]

Thanks Jeff. I may try that. It certainly is unusual looking, but I like it.