Ever turn a Corn cob?

[Robert Mickley]

I made about 12 of these total to give to the farmers in the family. While interesting to turn it can be a pain. takes a lot of CA glue to get them had enough to turn. And you have to find the right cobs too. Centers are soft so you need small cobs, big cobs you lose the snakeskin effect.

I had problems with the one on the left and ended up adding the ebony bands to get the length right

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Robert, I Have turned them and agree! It can be trying to get them round at times. Man the result is worth it though.

Great looking pens you got there!

[Mike Ramsey]

Good looking pens & good save with the ebony bands..I've been wanting
to try those ever since I saw them in Woodturning Designs last year.
Where's the best place to find small cobs this time of year?

[Cody Colston]

I get my corn cobs at the borg. We buy the bagged corn ears to feed the squirrels here...keeps them from eating the house. :)

[Ron Ainge]

I turn corn cob pens for the fun of it and to give away to people I like. I find that the corn with the best size cobs for pens are either indian corn or pop corn. The cobs are smaller and easier to turn for pens. Stock up on CA if you are going to turn a few.

[Bill Stevener]

This is interesting, finally a subject I can relate to, as I live in the land of corn and soybeans.
When I was up at the Woodcraft demo. several weeks ago, I met a lady pen turner that turned corn cob pens. Her husband accompanied her and soon joined in on the conversation, noting that he was in the process of developing a corn species for turning :confused: . I mentioned to the lady that I wished there was a corn small enough to turn mines, and her reply was; if you pick the corn just after going in to silk -- pollination, the corn will be just like the small corn you get, in a Chinese restaurant.

Just seems like if one would watch the corn, as it is growing, and pick it when it is the right size for pen turning, this could also be some what of a benefit.

I may just see how this all works out early this summer, looking forward to making mines from baby corn cobs.

Bill.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>:)

[Bernie Weishapl]

Robert those are some cool pens. Nice work.

[Keith Burns]

Great looking pens for sure ! Haven't turned one yet (smoked a few though). I've got three cobs and am going to do one soon, I swear:)

[Robert Mickley]

POPCORN!!! Duh, and I have about 30 ears of it drying on the porch!! your right those should be just adout perfect.

Thanks guys, I didn't figure I was the first at this. Was just looking for something differant this morning

[Keel McDonald]

Ron

Maybe this is a stupid question, but here goes. Where do you get the popcorn cobs? The only kind of popcorn I'm familiar with is Orville Redenbacher. And I've never seen any with the cobs still attached.


I turn corn cob pens for the fun of it and to give away to people I like. I find that the corn with the best size cobs for pens are either indian corn or pop corn. The cobs are smaller and easier to turn for pens. Stock up on CA if you are going to turn a few.

[John Hart]

I have two cobs in the shop that have been sitting there for 6 months. I keep hearing how they wear your tools like sandpaper and tend to blow up and need hardening...etc etc. I just keep procrastinating. Yours sure look nice though Robert!!

I bet craft stores have little cobs of Indian Corn or even the grocery stores next to the gourds in Produce.

[Ron Ainge]

Keel

I have a freind out in Kansas that sent me some. I think that one of his neighbors grew it. He knew that Iliked popcorn and he thought it would be fun to send me some before Orval got it. I don't know where you could buy some.

[Cody Colston]

Robert,
Here's one I turned a couple weeks ago.

[John Hart]

These people sell it for popping (Of all the nerve)
http://www.bigredpopcorn.com/

[Corey Hallagan]

Those look great, I have heard of them but never see them. Nice job!

Corey

[Ernie Nyvall]

I've turned many a cob... between my teeth. Good stuff what comes off in your mouth.:D

Great looking pens Robert.

Ernie

[David Fried]

The pens look great! I especially like the one with the bands.

Like John, I have been avoiding this project. I did pick up a bag of corn at the feed store last year. I noticed the other day all the kernals have disappeared! I think I figured out why I had mice in the shop!

Dave Fried

[Keel McDonald]

Thanks Ron & John. I have attempted to turn cobs before, but had lowsy results. After seeing the ones posted in this thread, maybe I'll give it another shot. BTW, thanks for sharing the pics Robert and Cody! Creekers never cease to amaze me!

[Robert Mickley]

Ron

Maybe this is a stupid question, but here goes. Where do you get the popcorn cobs? The only kind of popcorn I'm familiar with is Orville Redenbacher. And I've never seen any with the cobs still attached.

I get mine out of the Garden :D Chinese hull less to be exact. Heres whats on the porch drying.

And yes I built the table and its on the porch because its a reject

[Mark Cothren]

Very neat work! I like 'em!

Thanks for the pictures!

[Keel McDonald]

How long do you let them dry? And how do you know they are dry if you don't grow them yourself? Thanks.


I get mine out of the Garden :D Chinese hull less to be exact. Heres whats on the porch drying.

And yes I built the table and its on the porch because its a reject

[Paul Douglass]

That is very cool. How do you hold them on the lathe. Knowing what I know about corn cobs looks like the would just fly apart when you try to turn them. Do you saturate then with CA glue and what tool do you use, or do you just sand them down?:confused:

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Robert.....as I'm officially in the spinny world now......Could you photo document your next "cob" pen? I've a number of family members in the mid-west that farm and I know they'd appreciate a pen like that. It'll be sometime in the future before I'm up to doing one but a documented procedure would be greatly appreciated.

Nice pens BTW!

[Bill Stevener]

That's the way to go Ken, I have cobs all over the place:eek:
Bill.>>>>>>>>>>>>:)

[Andy Hoyt]

Ken - You'll find a pretty good article in last fall's issue of Woodturning Design (http://www.woodturningdesign.com/issues/back.shtml) magazine.

[Robert Mickley]

How long do you let them dry? And how do you know they are dry if you don't grow them yourself? Thanks.

some of them have been laying aroudn for years, the ones on the porch when I shell them, I'll put the cobs in a cloth bag in the laundery room till I remember they are there. Since you have to saturate them with CA glue the moisture is kind of moot point. If they have been laying arounda 6 months or so in a dry envirment they should dry enough to use.

Ken, outside of soaking them down with Ca after rough cutting them to length you treat em just like you would a wooden pen.