Replies

1. 
   mbholden | Jun 18, 2007 10:59pm | #1

   Springett's book "Woodturning Wizardry" has a simple effective jig for turning spheres.

   Mike

2. 
   oldusty | Jun 19, 2007 03:40am | #2

    Hi Ckenney ,

               What size and how many do you need ?

             Do they have to be perfect spheres ?

            If they are not too large there is a way without a lathe .

          I can only offer information with no first hand experience , I read about this in FWW methods of work like 58 years ago  or so .

            You cut cubes close but not the exact dimension 

         Orient your belt sander so the the belt is facing up. You make a box as wide as the   sander and as long as the platen is flat , you place a see thru top that opens  to  keep them from flipping out . You will need to rig the contraption up to suit your machine .The cubes flip around and are supposed to become round , whilst the belt is in motion .

          Looks good on paper

                                     good   luck          dusty

3. 
   mike4244 | Jun 19, 2007 06:35pm | #3

   I imagine you will use a screw chuck, if the work is not too large. After rounding the cylinder and marking out the ends,I use a wide parting tool. I use a 1/4" parting tool I made, you could use a bedan tool also. I have found for myself that a parting tool is better than a skew for rounds.

   Practice first on scrap.Make a half circle cardboard template to check your work.The screw chuck end is another story.Part down to a narrow diameter, don't hit the screw.Remove the chuck,saw off the tenon and sand to a ball end.

   mike

4. 
   Napie | Jun 20, 2007 06:21am | #4

   Make a set of cup chucks and keep turing the axis of the ball, Raffen shows it in one of his DVD's and books, not at all difficult to do.