[robhodge1]

Here's a birdhouse ornament that I made after seeing a demo at the local wood turner's club. Bottom portion is walnut and top is sweet gum.

It was my first time turning walnut and I think I fell in love. Definitely seemed like the easiest wood I've turned so far.

Anyone have recommendations on other woods that turn nicely and won't break my bank?

 

[knika]

Good job. I make about 200 birdhouses a year. I would think that you could get mesquite at a fair price. I use all kinds of wood.

 

[robhodge1]

Good job. I make about 200 birdhouses a year. I would think that you could get mesquite at a fair price. I use all kinds of wood.

Wow, that's a lot of bird houses. I got a question for you. At what stage do you drill the hole? I did mine at the end which I'm thinking I should have done earlier so I could clean up any tear out from the drill.

 

[knika]

I drill my hole last as I put the hole where it best shows the grain. I also align the roof for best grain pattern. I also put a purch on my houses and some times attach a bird. If you use a sharp drill and a slow speed you won't get tear out.

I use a bottle stopper mandrel to hold the house and when I am done I put a finial in the hole or I mount it on a pole type stand.

I will take some pictures and post them later today.

Jack

 

[robert421960]

nice ornament:thumbsup:
Cherry turns really nice too:yes:

 

[knika]

Here are some pics:

 

[knika]

Here are more pics.

 

[robhodge1]

Very cool! I've not seen a long finial like that on a bird house before. Looks good.

nice ornament:thumbsup:
Cherry turns really nice too:yes:

Sadly I wasn't experienced back when I turned the cherry you had given me so I wasn't able to fully enjoy the cutting quality.

 

[robert421960]

Very cool! I've not seen a long finial like that on a bird house before. Looks good.



Sadly I wasn't experienced back when I turned the cherry you had given me so I wasn't able to fully enjoy the cutting quality.

need another?

 

[robhodge1]

need another?

Well that would be awsome, but I would need to return the favor. I got some sweet gum if you want to exchange. Don't have a bandsaw yet so it would be cut by chainsaw.

 

[robert421960]

Well that would be awsome, but I would need to return the favor. I got some sweet gum if you want to exchange. Don't have a bandsaw yet so it would be cut by chainsaw.

sent u a pm

 

[nblasa]

+1 on the cherry...turns real nice! Also, maple did pretty well, and I recently made my wife some candle holders out of Bradford Pear limbs...easy to turn and very pretty!

 

[Coyote Woodshop]

👍 very good I usually do finials on all of mine

 

[MagGeorge]

It looks great, like the shapes and the woods have pretty grains and very well finished. Great job!