Turned Lamps

[Axe Handle Hound]

Some of you may remember these from Wood Magazine a couple years back.  I was conscripted into making these for my mother in law over a year ago, but just finally got around to completing them.  All I can say is that if you plan to make any of these make double and triple sure you have a good glue joints.  I almost cried when the first lamp broke into pieces and flew right off the lathe because there was a dry spot in one of my joints.  A few days of creative clamping and obnoxious use of glue resolved the issue, but I said a few things in my frustration that were probably best not spoken so loudly. 



  

 

[metalspinner]

Nice carving!  Was this part of the magazine article?What kind of shade are you going to use?

[TreeWinder]

Unique and very nice. Good work

[Axe Handle Hound]

Thanks for the compliments guys. 

Metalspinner-  These lamps are a combination of two Wood Magazine articles. The lamp shape and turning instructions are in the July 2007 issue and the celtic knot is explained in the September 2010 issue.  The knot is actually built by cutting a 45° kerf into a square blank and gluing in sandwiched veneers.  Once dry you flip it 180° and repeat, etc.  It's a pretty slick way to make the knot and it's impressive how it takes shape as you turn, but like I said, make sure you use plenty of glue. 

I am going to let my mother in law decide on what fixture and shade she wants to use seeing as how she's kind of particular about those things and as I've been told many times before, I'm no interior decorator.   ;)

[CHARLIE]

Well now....that is real nice looking. It really makes a nice looking lamp. I'm sorry you had one come apart on the lathe. That's a scary ordeal. I hope you were wearing your face mask.  I've been thinking about doing a Celtic Knot on some gift pens, but just haven't gotten a Round Tuit. Your project gets me motivated. Maybe I'll attempt it in January. Thanks for sharing your project. You did a fine job and I'm sure your mother-in-law will find it was worth the wait.  8)

[Dan_Shade]

Is the celtic knot "smooth", or did you do some relief carving to make it stand out?

In the photo, it looks like it's carved.

Very nice.  I've made a few lamps, they are nice projects.

[Axe Handle Hound]

Is the celtic knot "smooth", or did you do some relief carving to make it stand out?

In the photo, it looks like it's carved.

After looking at the photos again I can see what you mean.  They do look like they're carved, but in real life they're smooth with the surface of the wood around them.  I think it has something to do with the light in the shop and the angle of the photo? 

[Axe Handle Hound]

Well now....that is real nice looking.

Thanks CHARLIE.  I take it from your avatar that you do a fair amount of turning yourself?

[SwampDonkey]

Awesome works. The knot does look carved and pops out of the pieces.  8)

You did a fine job that your MIL will enjoy for some years. I guess you'll get a nice Christmas dinner at her place. ;)

[T Welsh]

Very impressive! Tim

[Burlkraft]

I remember seein' those in the mag.

They look good! Your MIL will love them!

[CHARLIE]

Yes Ax Handle Hound, I love woodturning. My biggest problem is that I can't get rid of any scraps because even the small scraps I can usually make something.  What I love is picking up a piece of scrap and selling it for $20. ;D

[SwampDonkey]

Yip, I have to reach into the scrap bin to make a couple new rasp handles. ;D

[jamesamd]

I read that article,and I am very impressed with Your Lamps.
Well done indeed ;D