ornament question

[tinker]

When you turn Christmas ornaments, do you turn three seperate pieces then glue them, or do you glue the wood together then turn?
I know end grain doesn't glue well, but I thought with a dowel it might be sufficient and give a smoother transition for the cap and finiel.

 

[dubdrvrkev]

Turn the bulb then drill 1/2" hole through it and hollow it. Then turn the finials with a tennon 1/2" diameter about 1/4" long and glue that into the bulb. Clear as mud. I have a few that aren't assembled yet, would some pics help?

Might check these out;
http://community.webshots.com/album/59628267IlRNiW
http://www.woodturningonline.com/Turning/Turning_projects.html#ornaments

 

[tinker]

Thanks Kevin, the pictures got the mud out of the way. Pays to ask the question. Had no idea the bulbs were hollowed.[:I]Makes sense though, keep the tree from tipping over.[8D]

 

[dubdrvrkev]

Well my cats will make sure the tree comes down, but maybe this year not all the ornaments will be smashed. [] I use these http://tinyurl.com/agoad for hollowing. CSUSA has a set that come unhandled and are round that are a little less expensive. But I thought the packard offered a little longer life of sharpening in their design. Just my opinion though.