Thread: Australian Hardwood Beads

[QUOTE=Kidbee;1775933]Saw this image on the internet and I was wondering how they get their rounded appearance and shape. I guess they must be put in a tumbler with sandpaper walls.

Does anyone know how they are done?

Kidbee, I don't know how these were done, but many years ago in England we visited an old but still functioning bobbin mill at a place called Stott Park Bobbin Mill near Lake Windermere. The mill was run by volunteers as a working museum, and to get a polished finished on their smaller bobbins, they were turned and shaped to the finished shapes, then put into a large wooden barrel, dozens of different bobbins, with wax shavings, and the barrel rotated slowly for whatever time required, and when taken out the bobbins had a smooth semi gloss sheen about them. I guess it's possible to use a modernised version of the old bobbin polisher today.??????? Doug.

When the clock strikes 12 midnight, the little bead fairies come out and hand polish each one with spit and polish.

This bloke has a small video and he has some other interesting things worth a look around his site.

http://www.spiralsbysteve.com/beads.php

I have also seen pictures on the internet of a jig - an open box - placed on top of an upside down belt sander - rough wooden blanks were put in the box whilst the belt sander was running. The blanks supposedly bounce around and get smoothed on the belt. Dont know if it really works.

Discussed here https://www.woodworkforums.com/f11/wooden-beads-67657

Bill

Ive stuck some pen blank material over some 7mm brass tubes. Turned, sanded polished etc to get my version of those Pand0ra style beads. A lot of work for not that much ooh ahh...