Thread: yo yo turning

Have tried a chess set free hand I do not have a duplacator it did not turn out very well. I am gonna try again soon their are a lot of measuring and remeasuring. As far as the rest no I have not tried yet.

i wonder if a duplicator would be that hard to make using a half profile template with a follower that could be fastened to the tool. Hmm, maybe a bit cumbersome, though i seem to recall having seen something like that a while back (a while back may mean over 20 years as i think it was 1980's).
That way you don't have to worry about lead screws etc. Just have something like a hacksaw or fretsaw frame where the scraper or gouge fits through where the handle would go, the arch goes over the work piece, and the other end follows the template. The shape of the frame would depend upon where you set the template so that it is visible behind the workpiece. Did this make sense?

Originally Posted by gmandtoolman001

I havent tried one yet came across a ball bearing kit for a yo yo and thought it might be interesting. It uses the same mandrel and any bushings will do according to the directions.
Also has anyone tried a Chess Set ?
There are also Perfume Atomizers and Magnifying Glasses, Letter Openers, and Kalidascopes.
If anyone has tried these items please post and give tips.

Yes to all the above. Atomisers, mag. glasses, etc. are basically the same technique as a slimline pen. Drill a hole, glue in a tube, turn on a mandrel. Some don't have bushes so you need to turn the ends down to size with a set of calipers or verniers, while others are slightly more complex and need tenons (like a Mont Banc pen.)

For the atomisers & kaleidoscopes I simply turned a dowel to fit inside the tubes and slip that over the mandrel, instead of buying the correct bushes. Short arms & deep pockets, blah, blah. Still, they're all within the average pen-turners skill range, are fun to do and appeal to a wider range of people.

A chess set? Yep. Once. It's definitely a learning experience and you will discover several areas of turning in which you you need to improve. I reckon every turner should try their hand at a chess set at least once, when they think they're good enough. Even if only just to bring 'em back down to earth. Don't get me wrong, it's not overly difficult... but it takes precision, planning and the ability to work to specs. Next time (when the agonies aren't as fresh to mind :eek: ) I'll create one of each piece, then cut card templates for copying instead of just marking and cutting with ruler and calipers.

BTW, I've said it before and I'll say it again: a duplicator isn't worth it for the home turner. They don't give a good finish nor, IMHO, good crisp lines. You need to clean it up afterwards anyway, so may as well do the whole by hand and benefit from the practice.

http://www.paragoncode.com/shop/duplicator/

a dead simple duplicator, but don't tell Skew ChiDAMN!!.