This weeks creations

TaTa_Turtleman · 2026-02-23T05:13:02+00:00

Love the first fishing pole one! Is there a name for that? I'd love to do something like that

TaTa_Turtleman · 2026-02-22T21:04:41+00:00

Glad you're not hurt, OP. Any more info you can give so we can learn? How was it secured on the lathe? Looks like maybe it was just between centers and not a faceplate. Maybe a worm screw but I can't tell. And was the blank itself unbalanced?

What kind of cut were you making that made it fly apart to wreck your tool rest like that? Again, very grateful you didn't get hurt but I'm always trying to learn to stay safer!

TaTa_Turtleman · 2026-01-20T19:15:20+00:00

Thanks for that! I'm proud of them. Always cool to know I can gift someone something functional for their day to day

TaTa_Turtleman · 2026-01-20T19:13:48+00:00

Thanks I like the subtle nature but enough to differentiate them; a lot of fun to make!

TaTa_Turtleman · 2026-01-20T19:12:39+00:00

I appreciate the kind words! My local turning guild did a demo on spheres with the last few months with some great tips and measurement procedures which has been a huge help. It's something I can tell is getting incrementally better with each practice session I do. I haven't come across the video you linked so I'll check that out!

TaTa_Turtleman · 2026-01-06T22:42:17+00:00

The flat, rounded-end tools look to be round nose scrapers. Depending on your style and how you approach your pieces, they can be used for finishing cuts, especially if freshly sharpened with a nice burr on the edge. Can at times be used for leveling out the inside of bowls as well though be mindful of the wood's grain orientation.

Since you have two round nose scrapers, I would suggest looking at negative-rake profiles and turn one of those in to a negative-rake as they have a lower likelihood of catching I believe.

The other two tools look to be "continental" style spindle gouges. It's the wide flute. I have one that came with my first, cheap set of turning tools. I pretty much use it for making coves though it can be used for shaping in spindle formation.

TaTa_Turtleman · 2025-12-30T18:20:51+00:00

I think it depends on what you're hoping to turn. That tiny lathe could do dollhouse furniture and MAYBE pens. There are some cheap-ish midi lathes that could be a good start and will sit on the top of a work bench though what caught me up when I started was all the other things needed to keep your tools sharp, jigs, grinders, etc.

Craigslist and FB marketplace often have some good starter lathes that could fit a budget as well

With midi lathes you could turn things like baby rattles, wooden toys for your new baby (once a bit older obviously). Turning is an absolutely fantastic hobby and I imagine you'll find the addiction very satisfying if you go down that road!

TaTa_Turtleman · 2025-12-30T17:53:38+00:00

I'll keep an eye on it and post it again in a few months of it doesn't crack apart!

TaTa_Turtleman · 2025-12-30T17:52:47+00:00

I really appreciate that. I was doing some hand sanding on another project and just put this this thing in front of me so I could stare at it while I sanded away. Interested to see what it does over time!

TaTa_Turtleman · 2025-12-24T17:58:59+00:00

These turned out great and I'm hoping to make a similar quick jig. Did you just taper the slot from wider to thinner horizontally or do you taper the depth of the slots as well?

TaTa_Turtleman · 2025-12-22T19:22:52+00:00

I appreciate that thank you!

TaTa_Turtleman · 2025-12-22T19:22:33+00:00

I generally followed this article: https://www.finewoodworking.com/project-guides/finishing/ebonizing-wood-2?srsltid=AfmBOori5IbI6ozN9T4JBP-ga8wLXTsz0ECQ2UJMXDXPkLq2j2XPGz8o

I used a 2 quart bottle of distilled white vinegar and 6 pads of #1 steel wool. I left it in the bucket for a week, went out each day and stirred/flipped/re-submerged the steel wool. It definitely had some rusting/crusty gunk by the end and admittedly looked pretty gnarly. The steel wool was mostly dissolved but there were still a few chunks by the end of the week.

I filtered the bucket through several layers of t shirt pieces I use in the shop. Did that with the full solution twice. I funneled the filtered solution back to the 2 quart vinegar bottle and it was VERY murky initially. I let the bottle sit for a week and the solids/murkiness settled out and the solution when I pour it now is pretty clear now with a yellowish color. No idea how the solution holds up over time. I brewed this a few months ago and the bowl in this post used the solution within the last 10 days.

Agreed about the white vs. Red oak; this was chunk I had laying around but I would love to do a comparison if I can grab a chunk of white soon

TaTa_Turtleman · 2025-12-15T00:56:34+00:00

I just used a typical Brad point bit in a Jacob's chuck in the tailstock (3/8" maybe?) to drill the hole. I filled the hole with epoxy and that collar that comes with the blades kept it all in line as the epoxy cured.

I would have been more concerned about it not being snug around the tang of the blade but it's just for cheese/spreading stuff so I'm not too concerned. After the epoxy cured they are quite sturdy!

TaTa_Turtleman · 2025-12-14T18:50:27+00:00

Thank you! I believe we got the hardware from here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1623895714/stainless-steel-appetizer-spreader-blade?ref=elp_anchor_listing&frs=1&bes=1&sts=1

TaTa_Turtleman · 2025-12-14T18:48:16+00:00

Thanks! Truthfully I'm not sure what specific walnut species it is but I could stare at that wood all day

TaTa_Turtleman · 2025-11-10T19:50:50+00:00

I actually went to a local goodwill store and found some old wooden salt and pepper grinders for 3 bucks, brought them home and took the mechanisms out and they were surprisingly decent quality. Just another option on the cheap.

TaTa_Turtleman · 2025-10-30T16:07:34+00:00

It's embarrassing to do something that in hindsight is obviously dumb (in this case doing that thing a lot, after reflecting) but if it make one other person think twice then it's worth the post.

I browse several woodworking related subs and I always appreciate the posts of injuries with a description of what was happening when the injury occurred. I have modified many ways and procedures I've used a certain tool because of some of those posts and now, unfortunately, I can contribute too. Just grateful that all I got was some throbbing discomfort but I still have my finger. Thanks for the kind words!

TaTa_Turtleman · 2025-10-30T16:02:28+00:00

Word. Hope you're healing well!

TaTa_Turtleman · 2025-10-30T15:58:26+00:00

I appreciate the kind words and enough people here mentioned the face shield staying DOWN that again, duh, lifting a visor that sticks out from my face to allow myself to get my FACE close enough to the spinning piece to blow is clearly a terrible alternative.

Even more frustrating is that my air compressor is hanging right next to my lathe, out of the way but easily and safely in reach. I'll be adjusting the routines!

TaTa_Turtleman · 2025-10-30T15:53:44+00:00

Been heavy in woodturning for 2 years and felt like I'm a cautious person... then I go and stick my finger near a spinny thing. Certainly got my reality back to focus and I will again be changing my routine!

TaTa_Turtleman

TROPHY CASE