New Web Site

Posted on May 25, 2009

It may seem like the webshop is inactive these days but that is far from the case.

We have been working on a brand new website and we are now ready to move everything to the new location.

During that time the comments will be disabled and I will not be taking book orders.

If you want to buy a book email me at don.kleinschnitz@gmail.com and I will put you in the que.

When I return we have a lot to talk about:

The 60yr anniversary clock is completed
A new edition of the “Woodturning with SketchUp” book with lots of new capability
A natural edge bowl made from a pioneer age walnut log, featuring a box elder stand.

and more……

Sorry for the inconvenience!

» Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Modeled then Carved

Posted on April 16, 2009

Plate was modeled in SketchUp then carved

More complex carving completed after a pattern was made in SketchUp. Pattern and basswood plate from Wayne Burton, see the January issue of Woodcarving.

I’m about ready to try this on a turning.

» Filed Under chip carving | Leave a Comment

Getting butterflies

Posted on April 10, 2009

Chip carved on basswood

It might seem like I am deserting my turning….. not a chance.

I am honing a new skill, chip carving. Still have some sanding and polishing to do on this Mothers day gift?

My plan is to add this treatment to bowls and vessels as an embellishment.

Stay tuned because the humidor, and 60th anniversary clock projects are coming to a close. I’ll post on them soon.

Look at the model of the next chip carving …..

The unity candle project is starting …….

» Filed Under chip carving | Leave a Comment

South Auckland Woodturners Guild

Posted on March 13, 2009

Facebook, what an amazing network. While perusing Mike Mahoney’s Facebook I found one of his friends to be interesting, since he was also turning on a Stubby. I Invited Terry Scott to my friend list.

After a Facebook friend invite we got to networking and I got linked to the clubs website and newsletter. Some really interesting content ….. now I have even more reading to do.

Terry Scott does some amazing work, also check out his blog.

» Filed Under Other turners | 1 Comment

Chip Carving 101

Posted on March 11, 2009

Chip carving initials

I have been practicing my chip carving lately. My plan is to use this skill to enhance turnings.

I like this craft because it is reasonably simple in concept and it only requires 2 knives as tools, also it can be performed almost anywhere you can sit down. Well maybe not a plane……. I’m guessing they won’t like the knives on board.

I can now sit next to my wife while we are watching TV, chipping and knitting!

Hint: its all about holding the knife properly! Once you do that right this craft is really fun and can create some impressive results. Get some basswood at your local craft store, I got mine at JoAnn’s (the balsa wood section.

Chip carving stuff

I turned this pine plate you see in the photo, its my next chip carving adventure, will keep you posted.

The pattern for the plate above was done with SketchUp.

I got the pattern instructions from the Jan/Feb issue (#106) of Wood Carving.

I found some really useful resources:

My chip carving has a lot of free stuff including lessons and patterns. I highly recommend starting at this site. Buy some stuff from Marty so that he can keep providing this sweet service. For anyone interested in chip carving I found this site and its content all I needed to get started.

Wayne Barton is the well know craftsman in this realm (by Google search). I have a copy of “The complete guide to chip carving“ and recommend it as a reference. The link will take you to My Chip Carving, I figure if you buy it from Marty you help both these guys :).

This “Point to point” spacer tool looks interesting even for us wood turners. Laying out a pattern on the circumference of a vessel is a pain and this might make that easier. I guess this a common tool that I was unaware of, they are sold at Woodcraft!

» Filed Under chip carving | Leave a Comment

Weed Pot

Posted on March 7, 2009

Its been a while since my last post, that’s because I have been to Mexico and back on a cruise

That doesn’t mean that I haven’t been busy!

A couple of projects were in the finishing phase: large weedpot and walnut humidor.

Large Weed pot

My daughter wanted a large wood vessel for decorating in her new home. We came up with an idea for a large weed pot made from Aspen. This will surprise those who think Stubby’s can’t turn big spindles

Large Aspen blank on Stubby

Roughed out!

Turned, dyed and finished with Poly

In operation!

In the next post I will start a series on vessels with embeded pvc threads, the first of which will be a humidor!

Wallnut Humidor

Want to learn how to:

* Use free Google software to make 3D models of woodturning
* Apply a CA finish to a pen
* Turn a bowl from common boards
* Turn a functional wine glass
* Make a metal spinning tool rest
* Make a pen bushing storage cabinet, from simple parts

Then ….buy a woodturning book from Turnedoutright!!

» Filed Under Hollow Forms | Leave a Comment

Shop Made Lighting

Posted on February 9, 2009

Lighting is an often overlooked as an important tool for wood turners to consider.

I never cease to be amazed how much good lighting can improve your work.

Makes sense that if you can’t see imperfections, you don’t know enough to correct them.

While visiting Home Depot, I noticed that small 250 watt halogen work lights (PN 520-656) were for sale for <$5.

For some time have wanted to add a high powered overhead system to my stubby, but they seemed expensive. A shop made system can be seen in the pictures below. I didn’t create plans because I think the design is self explanatory, but if you need more information please leave a comment.

Features:

Overhead mounting keeps lights out of the way
2 lights mounted on a bar that can slide left to right
Lights can be tilted independently of each other
Light bar can be rotated around its axis
Entire system can be routed around mount axis
Entire system can be adjusted up and down
Low cost: lights $10 plus parts from scrap bin.

Hint: I found a really useful nut at McMaster Carr, its called a Tube Connector (PN 94290A510), push it down into a square or round tube and it creates a thread in the end of the tube. You can use these to bolt the lamps to the tube, without any welding.

Overhead array

Can rotate around 2 axis, left-right & up & down

» Filed Under Tools | Leave a Comment

Stubby Tailstock Lift #2

Posted on February 1, 2009

I have been using the tail stock lift I built many months ago with a great deal of satisfaction.

In fact I nearly forgot it was there, and I almost forgot one of its limitations. When you pull out the bed the lift will no longer work because it is fixed to the end of the lathe’s stand.

With a little prompting from a discussion in the stubby users group forum I decided to give a new design a try.

Think “prototype” when looking at the photo’s below, welding and fit isn’t very good yet. If this design works well I will make it pretty on the next iteration.

The mount

The slide

On the slide

Stowed!

Proto Assy

Sliding plate

» Filed Under Stubby, Tools | 4 Comments

Universal remote

Posted on January 30, 2009

Sometimes its fun to combine high and low technology, like remotes and woodturning.

I got a new big screen theater just recently and was overwhelmed by the # of remotes, 4 to be exact.

I know that you can buy a “universal remote” and get one to do it all. In fact my upstairs system works that way.

The wood turner in me immediately started imagining a solution and then things got out of control, see below. Or WATCH THE VIDEO on the Turnedoutright channel.

Of course I modeled the design in SketchUp…… see the model.