Dale Allen
Member
OK, here is the miniature birdhouse that was all turned between centers.
I use a center drill bit on the ends of the wood parts. That is the only way I can get them to spin. The small brass screw eye was not made by me!:biggrin: The whole thing is 5" tall and 2" wide.
The center section is a 1.5" square 2" long. The roof was cut from a scrap piece of cherry. Cut on the bandsaw and mounted between centers. I drilled one side with the center drill and put that against the headstock center. Then I pressed the live center into the other side, adjusting until I got it running fairly straight. Since it was being turned down it did not have to be exact. The finials were extra pieces from stuff I never throw away. The mating parts are turned with a nib left that will get sized to fit into the hole in the corresponding piece. This keeps then centered.
I drill the 2 holes in the body while it is on the lathe because it is easier than holding it while drilling. I noticed that Dale Nish offsets the perch hole so I did too, I don't know why!
Got questions...fire away!
I use a center drill bit on the ends of the wood parts. That is the only way I can get them to spin. The small brass screw eye was not made by me!:biggrin: The whole thing is 5" tall and 2" wide.
The center section is a 1.5" square 2" long. The roof was cut from a scrap piece of cherry. Cut on the bandsaw and mounted between centers. I drilled one side with the center drill and put that against the headstock center. Then I pressed the live center into the other side, adjusting until I got it running fairly straight. Since it was being turned down it did not have to be exact. The finials were extra pieces from stuff I never throw away. The mating parts are turned with a nib left that will get sized to fit into the hole in the corresponding piece. This keeps then centered.
I drill the 2 holes in the body while it is on the lathe because it is easier than holding it while drilling. I noticed that Dale Nish offsets the perch hole so I did too, I don't know why!
Got questions...fire away!