Useless turning….but fun!

[Thomas Wilson80]

First time turning a goblet. 11” tall, unknown wood (but very soft). I know the proportions are off but the wood was about 12” and I was just trying to see how tall I could go. I did the captive rings with a small homemade skew but will grind a designated tool if doing again.
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My wife said “Looks good….maybe some day you’ll make something useful”.
Tom

[Mel Fulks]

Real nice ! But why did you glue up those rings out of light and dark wood ? Kinda’ gives away the magic trick ! Ha ha ha …now yah have to paint them ! Next time use solid color wood !! That’s all I got

[John Kananis]

Mel, I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure he didn't glue those rings in there. He said he cut them out using a skew.

[Peter Blair]

I agree, the light and dark wood is reflected in the wood goblet.

[Pat Scott]

Nice goblet! I think the proportions look good also. I wouldn't say it was useless turning either because you were practicing and honing your skills. I took a class with Jimmy Clewes years ago and we made a long thin stem goblet to push ourselves and practice fine tool control. The goblet is in my display case and I think of the class every time I look at it.

[Lawrence Duckworth]

My wife said “Looks good….maybe some day you’ll make something useful”.
Tom

next time tell her....but Darling this chalice is not a utility but a song of love inspired by our rings of life together-I want to place my final prayerupon your plush velvet neck
murmuring my needs warmly
on that expressway where the crossroads of love and lust unite
focusing the steam of my soul there
confessing wholeheartedly
that my heart cannot move without you,
with my thick, steady hand rotating around your priceless grail
feeling the communion of our desire come to life
as your mouth becomes the chalice that holds my heartbeat
in this moment that confirms our sanctity

...I could fill the back of my pickup with useless fun turnings :)

[Dwayne Watt]

If it is fun, it is not useless.
Rather reminds me of the old joke about a wife complaining about her husband's hobby taking too much time away from her (woodworking, cars, golf, whatever...). The alternatives are becoming a nonfunctional alcoholic, having a mistress, or making things on the lathe. Choose one...

[Robert Henrickson]

If it is fun, it is not useless.


Amen! I turn for pleasure, not for sale. If it is not fun, I try turning something else.

[Paul Williams]

Note that those rings are not interlocked so he did not give away the magic trick. Wine glasses with interlocking rings make great wedding gifts. Of the dozens I have made for friends and relatives I only know of one that was used for a toast at the wedding. That must make the rest of them useless.

[James Baldwin]

Well I did some useless turning today also. Well maybe not totally useless. I wanted to try out my new to me Jet 1642 EVS lathe for the first time. Grabbed a piece of really dry black walnut and started to turn a small bowl. Lathe preformed beautifully.Is a vast improvement over my Jet 1236. Wood was too dry and full of cracks. Made a nice piece of firewood though. Jim

[Frederick Skelly]

I think the goblet looks nice and the captured rings make it special and unique.
Like it a lot!
Fred

[Thomas Wilson80]

Thanks for all the comments everyone. I am grateful for this forum and all that I learn here.
tom

[Tim Elett]

I would be glad to turn that, lathe turning can be art as well as turning a candy dish.

[Neil Strong]

Amen! I turn for pleasure, not for sale. If it is not fun, I try turning something else.

I turn for pleasure... then I sell it!

[Edward Weber]

Useless turning….but fun! (https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?297432-Useless-turning…-but-fun!)
I have to say, your title made me laugh.
I also turned a small goblet (a little over 10 years ago) for a C&T. I haven't turned one since.
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[Thomas Canfield]

Looks like a good skill builder and not useless. Expect not more than 25% of turners could do that well with junk wood. Keep at it. Turning is supposed to be fun.