Comments on: Turning a sphere

By: arthur enns

arthur enns — Wed, 18 May 2011 20:57:44 +0000

Keith, please ask Tony, one of the blogers above to send me his technique of making hollow spheres and some photos. I am making hollow spheres using your technique at present but the wall is rather thick. I would like to read how Tony does his hollow spheres. Thanks so much.

ARt

By: Todd Hartzell

Todd Hartzell — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:37:03 +0000

Tony, Please send me your nested sphere photos also

By: Keith Larrett

Keith Larrett — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:52:43 +0000

I’d love to see the pictures Tony. I’ll send you an e-mail.

By: Tony Holmes

Tony Holmes — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:05:10 +0000

Hi Keith,

Great job – you’re sphere are great especially how you have turned them by hand (without a jig).

I am a member of the Granite State Wood Turners, we did a collaborative challenge to make a bunch of hollow spheres that fit inside each other (like russian dolls) all made from different wood.

Drop me an email if you like and I can send you some pics.

Thanks
Tony

By: art enns

art enns — Mon, 24 May 2010 11:29:51 +0000

Keith,
When I put pencil marks on the initial cylinder, I measure the length of the cylinder and mark the center of the cylinder beyond the tenon so that the entire sphere is beyond the tenon.
I understand mathematics and like your formula for making a sphere.
I find that the diameter of the sphere is usually 10 – 15% less than the diameter of the initial cylinder. The smaller the sphere, the greater is the waste because its hard to see the flat area easily. I now have oak,maple ash,and walnut spheres and a bowl to hold them on the coffee table. I enjoy making spheres.

By: Keith Larrett

Keith Larrett — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:30:29 +0000

You’re welcome Phil.

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:32:32 +0000

Hi just a note to say hi from a fellow turner thanks so much for the info ive tried to do it and was farely good but ill try it your way now thanks.Im pretty new at this but have been in wood working for along time .but as you know we love our lathe

By: Keith Larrett

Keith Larrett — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:04:17 +0000

You can make whatever you imagine Melissa

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:15:39 +0000

Hey this is sooo cool… i want to make one as well the only thing is, can you only make cylinders and spheres? I was hoping to make a heart but if that’s not possible it’s still cool to make.

By: Keith Larrett

Keith Larrett — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:01:04 +0000

Thanks for the tips Angus. You are right, I now use a small plastic ring to help look for the high spots while turning the sphere round. I use a product called Fun Foam to cushion the chucks. You can get it with adhesive on one side so it is easy to apply. Good luck with the sphere! 400mm (16″) is a big sphere!!