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  • How I Make Spiral or Twisted Finials



    From the first time I saw pictures of Stuart Mortimers signature twist work, I knew I wanted to try one myself, but I feared it was too difficult and time consuming. Stuarts book, Techniques of Spiral Work- A Practical Guide to the Craft of Making Twists by Hand, and an article in the May 2006 issue of Woodturning were the sources of inspiration and also great learning tools. It was when Mark Hubl showed his first spiral piece that I finally decided I would give it a try.There are many ways this work can be done, but here is the way I make twisted finials. As with any woodturning project, if something doesn't feel right to you, don't do it!!


    Here's how I do it:

    I would suggest using a piece of wood with straight grain and no knots. I have used Sycamore, Walnut, Holly, Ebony, White Pear, and Hormigo Negro. For this tutorial I am using Holly so the pencil lines can be easily seen.




    I have turned this piece to the shape I want, which is usually an elongated pear shape. I’m gradually trying to make these skinnier as I make more. The area to be cut out for the spiral is finish turned, the beads and teardrop are just roughed at this point. It’s important to leave a little “meat” on the top portion at the tailstock end for now because of the stresses caused by sanding. You want to leave this between centers for the entire job, the disc on the end will eventually get turned away.



    The layout consists of four evenly spaced horizontal lines called start lines. The index feature on most lathes makes this easy. The three vertical lines are pitch lines. These are easily done with the lathe running. On this example, the spokes, or bines as they are called, will make a ½ twist, This means when looking at the completed finial a bine will start at the bottom and stop half way around from where it began. You could also layout four vertical pitch lines, which would produce a ¾ twist. The spacing of these lines can be adjusted to change the pitch of the bines.




    Here is where a decision needs to be made. Do you want a right or left hand twist? For this example I chose a right hand twist, but being a southpaw, a left hand is easier for me. Using a pencil I have started at the intersection of a pitch line and start line and draw diagonally to the next start/pitch line intersection. These are called the cut lines. At this time, for safety sake, you should unplug the lathe. It will be used for holding the piece in a still position only.




    Using brad point bits, I have drilled holes on the cut lines. It’s important that each hole be drilled toward the center of the piece. I used a 4mm bit for the four holes at the top of the finial. All the others are 5mm. The reason for the 4mm holes at the top is to insure I have left enough wood where the diameter is smaller. You can always remove wood where necessary, but I haven’t figured out how to add it! I used Bosch bits that have a nice sharp point. This helps to stick the bit where you want and not run the risk of having the bit “skate”.One other thing to include is the importance of spacing the holes well apart. I’ve had more than one occasion where I drilled a hole too close to another and the chip out was bad enough to scrap the piece.




    The next thing I do is to route a shallow trough connecting the holes. Here is a close-up of the bit I use in a Dremel tool. It looks like a Roto-Zip bit, I’m not sure, but it was included with the Dremel. A 1/8” drill bit could also be used. The reason for the trough is to help prevent the bit from jumping out and skating across the surface. I hold the Dremel on a low angle and gently route a channel from hole to hole.




    Here, the shallow channels are completed and I’m ready to open things up between the holes using the same Roto-zip type bit. This bit cuts aggressively, so a light touch is best.




    All opened and ready for refining the shape of what will become the bines. The inside will be cleaned up also.

    A tungsten carbide burr works good for cleaning up the bines. I also use a needle rasp and some coarse rifflers to reach the inside of each bine. A microplane is handy to round over the tops of the bines, it will lay between two bines and round both.




    The bines are starting to take shape and almost ready for sanding, but not yet. You want to be careful
    to keep the bines equal in size. The tools used can be seen (although blurry) sitting on the lathe bed.




    Sanding has begun starting with 80 grit cloth backed sanding strips. I tear the strips to about 1/4" or
    3/8" in width. Continue through the grits removing scratches from the previous grit.



    The sanding is finished. On this piece I sanded to 1200 grit, then I buffed each bine with 2,000 and
    4,000 grit Abralon.



    The next step is to refine the beads and teardrop. A vortex tool or small skew is needed to finish off the beads. As the point is formed on the teardrop the disc will eventually fall off.




    A little sanding on the beads and teardrop, and it's done! The base can now be shaped to suit, or a tenon
    can be turned beneath the bead if it's to be used on a different lid. That about does it. Hope you enjoyed,
    and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
    Comments 55 Comments
    1. Dick Wilson's Avatar
      Dick Wilson -
      Richard, Great little tutorial, I will have to give it a try. Thanks Dick Wilson
    1. Ken Fitzgerald's Avatar
      Ken Fitzgerald -
      Richard,

      Fantastic tutorial! Thanks for providing it.
    1. Jim Burr's Avatar
      Jim Burr -
      Wow Richard...Super effort and the always epic results!!
    1. Chris Ricker's Avatar
      Chris Ricker -
      WOW Richard, you do beautiful work, Thanks for the tutorial!
    1. Jeff Krug's Avatar
      Jeff Krug -
      What a great job!!!
      You make it look easy. Your results are beautiful.
    1. johnny means's Avatar
      johnny means -
      Great tutorial. Any idea how long this one would take you?
    1. Richard Madden's Avatar
      Richard Madden -
      Quote Originally Posted by johnny means View Post
      Great tutorial. Any idea how long this one would take you?
      I can tell you I'm not fast at these. I would guess 2-3 hours, although I've never timed it. The sanding is most time consuming and the most monotonous. I'll walk away after sanding for awhile and work on something else. The shameful thing is I have heard from people who have watched Stuart Mortimer complete one in 45 minutes!!
    1. Jim Adkins's Avatar
      Jim Adkins -
      Richard...Nice job on the Tutorial. Great detail....enough that even I might be capable of doing one of these!! Thanks.
    1. Dick Wilson's Avatar
      Dick Wilson -
      Richard, I am working on a piece and decided to put a spiral final on it. I used your method of drilling the holes. I sure save a lot of time with the Dremel
    1. Bill Wyko's Avatar
      Bill Wyko -
      Oh you can bet I'm gonna do that!!!! I stopped in my tracks when I saw this. Maybe I'll give it a whirl next week. I'll post it when I do. Thanks so much for the tutorial. I love it.
    1. Michael Short's Avatar
      Michael Short -
      Richard,

      Thank you for taking the time to put this together and share it with the group.
    1. Bill Wyko's Avatar
      Bill Wyko -
      Actually couldn't wait. I started tonight. Made good progress until the battery died. I'll be back on it tomorrow. So far so good thanks to your tutorial.
    1. Robert McGowen's Avatar
      Robert McGowen -
      Very clear and useful tutorial. Thanks for the effort in putting this together.
    1. Richard Madden's Avatar
      Richard Madden -
      Quote Originally Posted by Dick Wilson View Post
      Richard, I am working on a piece and decided to put a spiral final on it. I used your method of drilling the holes. I sure save a lot of time with the Dremel
      There was one picture I could not get uploaded for some reason...it was of the carbide burr I use and highly recommend. Made by Kutzall, BN-18-E. They also have others that might be suitable. As Stuart Mortimer would say, "now that you know how, it's a matter of practice". Good luck, and don't get discouraged.
    1. Rob Szrama's Avatar
      Rob Szrama -
      I'm impressed. You should try more things.
    1. John Hart's Avatar
      John Hart -
      That's a great tutorial, Rick. I can see so many applications for this technique that my mind is awhirl right now. Thanks so much
    1. Richard Madden's Avatar
      Richard Madden -
      Thanks for all the comments. It sounds like Dick and Bill are giving it a try, and I wish them luck. In the beginning I had a success ratio of about 50%, but with lots of practice, things went better. Practice and persistence are key.
      Rob, you say I should try more things??? I'm always trying more things, like for the past several weeks I have been following Jim Adkin's excellent tutorial and attempting basket illusions. If any of you are seeking a challenge...a really big challenge, then I encourage you to give one of those things a shot!! Really gives you more appreciation for what Jim A. does, and he does such an excellent job at that!
    1. Bill Wyko's Avatar
      Bill Wyko -
      Well, I was making good progress and just about ready to sand when I heard that awful sound we all know and hate, the snap. It wasn't due to my method of work but due to my tailstock applying too much pressure. So for you guys trying this, just use the tailstock to steady the end once you start digging out material. Other than that it was going very easy thanks to your excellent tutorial.
    1. Doug Palmer's Avatar
      Doug Palmer -
      Thanks Richard, very informative. When you drill the holes how deep to you go? All the way through or halfway or other?
    1. Richard Madden's Avatar
      Richard Madden -
      Quote Originally Posted by Doug Palmer View Post
      Thanks Richard, very informative. When you drill the holes how deep to you go? All the way through or halfway or other?
      Doug,
      Drill to the center of the piece so all holes meet. Good luck and be patient.