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ziggles
13th January 2007, 12:00 AM
:) Doesn't anyone post on the ornamental forum anymore?
Doing some inside out turning at the moment, does this classify as ornamental? Does anyone know of some good sites to see pictures and how to achieve this on the web? We have achieved the Christmas tree ornament so far and comes up really well.:)
Ziggles

joe greiner
13th January 2007, 01:45 AM
I've been wondering about that myself.

Strictly speaking, "ornamental turning" refers to stuff that's more than just round. Inside out doesn't quite qualify. Usually includes complicated geometric shapes, done on an ornamental lathe and/or "rose engine." On these contraptions, the workpiece is rotated slowly, and the actual cutting is done by a separate rotary tool; the workpiece holder or the cutter is usually guided by cams of some sort, or offset positioning. Some folks on this forum have found details of DIY rose engines. Search for "rose engine." Also, Google for terms "ornamental turning" or "rose engine." You should get a hit for something like Society for Ornamental Turning, as well as other interesting stuff.

Joe

Skew ChiDAMN!!
13th January 2007, 03:20 AM
Once I finish my rose engine, (about another decade or two at my current rate of progress. :- ) I'll start posting. Until then... [sigh]

lubbing5cherubs
13th January 2007, 12:50 PM
Then Rose engines do intricate work. are they still made?.. no i don't want one now
Toni

RETIRED
13th January 2007, 01:42 PM
I don't think you can buy a proprietry made rose engine. Most make their own but it does require (or access to) some metal working gear.

joe greiner
14th January 2007, 12:15 AM
Partially true, Ian. IIRC, the last commercially-made one was circa 1946. Can't quite remember who, but somebody now makes an attachment that mounts on the tool post to hold the workpiece; lathe itself runs the cutter. I have Holtzapfel's book, but it's dashed difficult to understand without an actual machine at hand.

A chap named Geoff O'Loughlin had an article on his "Poor Man's Rose Engine." Looks quite feasible. I think he's in Peninsula Woodturners (somplace near Melbourne, according to my very imperfect knowledge of Oz geography).

Yeah, Skew, my rose engine is also one of my round tuits. I plan to use Grizzly bench mandrels for both the headstock spindle and the lower rocking axle, with a cross-slide drill vise to hold the rotary tool. Mebbe sometime this year; mebbe not.

Joe

joe greiner
15th January 2007, 12:08 AM
....somebody now makes an attachment that mounts on the tool post to hold the workpiece; lathe itself runs the cutter.

Ah. Here 'tis:
http://www.teknatool.com/products/Specialised/ornamental.htm
Substantially more complex than just mounting on the tool post, though. Also, I note they've suspended production for possible design changes.:(

Joe

Skew ChiDAMN!!
15th January 2007, 12:40 AM
Hmmm... I can see I'll have to do some snooping on this 'un! :)

It may be my next large(ish) investment...

ihog
15th January 2007, 03:07 PM
Once I finish my rose engine, (about another decade or two at my current rate of progress. :- ) I'll start posting. Until then... [sigh]

Same here. Mine is about 80% finished, but I have a case of old mans disease(lazy).:rolleyes:

lubbing5cherubs
15th January 2007, 03:45 PM
Hmmm... I can see I'll have to do some snooping on this 'un! :)

It may be my next large(ish) investment...


I bet she is worth a pretty penny.. I think you might get big fright
Toni

Twinnie
15th January 2007, 06:47 PM
i have a solution to basic ornamental turning which is a cheap trimmer router in a stand detailed below

it could be held on with pipe rings or so forth.

and made mostly made of bike parts you could even get away with out welding

it would only alow raidial operations but thats not bad for $100 or so

Matt

Skew ChiDAMN!!
16th January 2007, 12:10 AM
I bet she is worth a pretty penny.. I think you might get big fright

I'll guarantee it won't be as big a fright as when I first tried pricing the old turn-of-the-century ornamental mills! My wallet turned white overnight! :oo:


i have a solution to basic ornamental turning which is a cheap trimmer router in a stand detailed below

I tried something like that early on for flutings, but it has it's drawbacks. It really needs to be able to slide in and out from the work independently of the banjo, as well as swivelling on it. If you try to use the banjo for in/out, when you unlock the cam the weight of the router makes the end of the banjo dip a bit, screwing up your nice straight line. :(

It is possible to adjust the banjo cam so it'll slide freely without using the cam lever, but it annoys the hell out of me having to readjust it back for when I'm turning normally.

I found it easier in the long run to make a sled that rides on the ways instead of using the banjo. :wink:

Twinnie
16th January 2007, 07:59 PM
i thaught it must have been done before. it is limited but it's not going to stop me trying : )

Matt

Skew ChiDAMN!!
17th January 2007, 12:26 AM
There are a few things I've "invented" or seen others using/doing and posted about in these forums, getting good feedback from others who've oohed and aahed, saying "what a good idea!" Then there's the odd person who comes along and declaims "Oh that old trick? I've been doing that for ages..."

Here, once the idea is "penned to paper" ("typed to keyboard" doesn't have the same visceral oomph, somehow :wink: ) it's there for all and sundry to see and learn from.

More, I've yet to see any idea posted to these forums that someone else hasn't chipped in with valid ideas for improvements.

Ya gotta love it! :2tsup: