The tool is expensive but I didn't purchase it...the cabinet shop paid for the jig. I suggested I would turn them if they furnished the glued up blanks and bought the jig for me. I worked on the sphere off and on yesterday...maybe 3 hours total or maybe a little longer. Once I got the Perfect sphere jig tuned in and working it was quite nice. I stopped the initial cylinder at 12.35 inches then started the sphere. On the other five I will turn the cylinder to 12" then start on the sphere.
These balls will be used as part of the mill work at the front of our new chapel at the church I attend. The cabinet shop owner also attends there. They will be 40 ft in the air to top off some columns. Had they not been for my church I would be charging in addition to the tool and blank costs.
The grain match: I did not glue the blank but what is shown in that second picture is the side grain of either the top or bottom board in the blank. Look at the first picture. It was just how the blank stopped on the lathe. I grabbed my phone and snapped a picture. They will be stained a very dark...almost ebony..color. Disappointing to see all of the nice oak mill work going so dark and loosing its beauty.
The dry oak is very hard. Oh how I love turning green wood.
Hollowing a sphere in floating around in the emptiness of my head.
Thanks for the comments. I will show all 6 of them once finished.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
