Scott Lux
11-27-2011, 9:57 PM
Last week some folks expressed interest in seeing how I make wooden spatulas.
One Warning: This is how I do it. This is not the only way. It is probably not the best way. If you feel I'm doing something unsafe, please let me know. Just because I haven't been hurt so far doesn't mean I'm not being stupid.
Step 1: Layout and cutting. I keep a plywood template for tracing these onto 1"x4" boards. I then cut them out on my bandsaw. This is not a precision step. Don't sweat straight lines. It all gets turned round anyway.
214076214077
Step 2: Make It Round. I mount the spatula head-in in my chuck, using the pin jaws to maximize the area I can reach. Centering it is not critical, but I try to get it close. Be sure to get it solid and use the tailstock for support. Then make it round.
Don't worry too much about the head of the spatula. I usually get it so the edge is rounded and straight but there's a lot to be done to it later.
It's a very good idea to sand it as far as you intend after this step. I didn't in the pics, and paid for it later in hand-sanding. I usually only sand kitchen utensils to 180.
214078214079
Step 3: Move The Head. I move the head to one side, making sure I still have enough meat to get a good grip.
214080
Step 4: Turn it. I then turn a large shallow cove in the now offset handle. Typically I do one near the head (neck?) and one near the end of the handle. In this pic I'm only showing the one at the neck. Sand them to final.
214081
Step 5: Move the Head Again. Other direction this time.
214082
Step 6: Turn It. I turn another large shallow cove overlapping the ends (usually) of the two from the previous step. Sand to final.
Pro-Tip: Always sand lengthwise (lathe off) after each grit. This will really smooth the transitions between the offsets.
To be continued...
One Warning: This is how I do it. This is not the only way. It is probably not the best way. If you feel I'm doing something unsafe, please let me know. Just because I haven't been hurt so far doesn't mean I'm not being stupid.
Step 1: Layout and cutting. I keep a plywood template for tracing these onto 1"x4" boards. I then cut them out on my bandsaw. This is not a precision step. Don't sweat straight lines. It all gets turned round anyway.
214076214077
Step 2: Make It Round. I mount the spatula head-in in my chuck, using the pin jaws to maximize the area I can reach. Centering it is not critical, but I try to get it close. Be sure to get it solid and use the tailstock for support. Then make it round.
Don't worry too much about the head of the spatula. I usually get it so the edge is rounded and straight but there's a lot to be done to it later.
It's a very good idea to sand it as far as you intend after this step. I didn't in the pics, and paid for it later in hand-sanding. I usually only sand kitchen utensils to 180.
214078214079
Step 3: Move The Head. I move the head to one side, making sure I still have enough meat to get a good grip.
214080
Step 4: Turn it. I then turn a large shallow cove in the now offset handle. Typically I do one near the head (neck?) and one near the end of the handle. In this pic I'm only showing the one at the neck. Sand them to final.
214081
Step 5: Move the Head Again. Other direction this time.
214082
Step 6: Turn It. I turn another large shallow cove overlapping the ends (usually) of the two from the previous step. Sand to final.
Pro-Tip: Always sand lengthwise (lathe off) after each grit. This will really smooth the transitions between the offsets.
To be continued...