Shopsmith Forums

I got an early start in the shop today and worked on finishing the turning. I turned it to a fairly accurate sphere without resorting to using cup centers. I still may use them but it is fairly close and stopping here gives me the two points on the vertical axis to attach it to the cones. The other issue is I am not sure the three rings will tolerate turning at 90 degrees to their grain. Especially the ebony which chips out so easy. Now it’s time for the cones which should be fairly straightforward.
Paul

Looking amazing!

I managed to get the blanks roughed out and one cone completed. I decided not to use the lathe/router jig and just do them free hand. I am toying with the idea of either faceting or fluting the cones at this point. We will see
Paul

Today’s move forward was to shape the second cone and match it to the first one. Since I am in turning mode I decided to turn a blank I glued up for a new mallet. After 35 years my old one is looking pretty tired. It’s made up of maple and Jatoba scraps.
Paul

Very productive day. Decided to facet the cones so I had to build a quick jig to guide them through the drum sander and then bore them for the all thread. You really have to love these machines !
Paul

Love watching how you go about this!

If you had decided to facet earlier you would have eliminated the 'perfect' cone sanding step!

Curious re the counter bore in the narrow end.

I could have gone straight to faceted but I thought at first I might like just the turned conical shape. As far as the counterbore that will just make it easier to flair them into the sphere.
Paul

I am waiting on the 12” brad point bit to get here to drill out the sphere and faceted columns so I started on the base. My plan is to have a piece of black granite cut to fit on top of the base to add some weight. If it gets too expensive I will just add a piece of plate steel underneath. The plan is to attach a beveled or wedge shaped piece of stone or wood on top of the base so the columns will die into the base/wedge at the same angle as the piece on top to hold the book. I am not sure of the cost of having a stone wedge cut that also has the trapezoidal shape of the base will be.
Paul

Every time you post pix, I learn something!