[Ken Johnson]

Has anyone ever turned a wood coffee cup? I'd like to try it but need to know what woods and finishes would hold up best to the heat and be food safe. Also, if I decide to do a segmented piece, what glues would hold up best? Any recommendations?

 

[Dave Paine]

Has anyone ever turned a wood coffee cup? I'd like to try it but need to know what woods and finishes would hold up best to the heat and be food safe. Also, if I decide to do a segmented piece, what glues would hold up best? Any recommendations?

I would not recommend having hot liquids directly against the wood. I am not sure what finish can stand up over time.

I would use an insert.

For gluing the segments together you can use Titebond I, II or III if you use an insert.

If you do not use an insert, I think you would need an epoxy.

A few coffee mug threads on the forum, most use an insert. I saw one with stainless steel and segmented and this one with plastic.

Plastic from spectraply
http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f6/new-turning-coffee-mug-46732/

Stainless steel and segmented.

http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f6/ok-so-made-mug-last-night-43040/

Stainless steel solid wood.

http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f6/what-pain-my-butt-42823/

 

[Daniel Jechura]

I have made two turned cups with handles. They have not worked out very well and I am still trying. It's weird to drink out of them.

Dan

 

[Bonanza35]

I'm with you man. A wooden coffee cup would be awesome. I've researched it quite a bit and havent found a finish I would trust with a hot beverage. I am thinking that unfinished solid wood might be the best bet if you can find a species that doesn't impart a bad taste to the coffee. It probably wouldn't last long but it might be worth a try. FYI walnut failed the taste test in my trial. Worst coffee ever. Keep us posted.

 

[duncsuss]

A coffee cup with insert was the demo at last month's turning club ... Steve did it a little differently and made it much easier to get a good fit (note, it was "easier" -- much slower, as there are multiple glue-ups that must set and cure, but much easier than trying to hollow the full depth in one lump)

Check out the video ... he was going to produce a write-up and upload it to the site, but I don't see it yet

http://www.revolutionary-turners.com/

edit ... sorry, here's a link to Steve's write-up: http://www.revolutionary-turners.com/attach/SegCoffeeMug.pdf

 

[PSDkevin]

Just thinking out loud here. What if you used something like alumalite and rotisserie it like you do with fishing poles to coat the thing? Or come up with a stand-off and cast alumalite in the cup? I don't know if I'm explaining what I am thinking very well. I'll shut up now.

 

[Ken Johnson]

I have seen the travel mug kits that everyone is talking about but I was think more of a standard coffee mug with no lid. I like the idea of a stainless liner and I think I will either buy a stainless tumbler or stainless coffee mug and rip the handle off. Then turn a vessel that the stainless liner will fit into. If I'm successful I'll post pics of the process and final product.

 

[Manuka Jock]

I have made two turned cups with handles. They have not worked out very well and I am still trying. It's weird to drink out of them.

Dan

With handles turned on or glued on ?

Do you have a photo or two

 

[Daniel Jechura]

not glued. I'll have to take a photo. Not the best yet, but I'm still trying. I turn the handle area (round), I change the offset, I tun the inside, outsidetop, outside bottom, to shape the cup. I take the cup blank to a band saw and cut out the waste to shape the handle. The rest of the cup is carved to smooth and shape the handle.

Dan

 

[Manuka Jock]

Cheers , a photo or three will be great .

I hazard a guess that grain orientation is integral to the integrity of the handle strenght .

 

[Kenbo]

If this project ever comes to be Ken, I would love to see it. Sounds awesome.

 

[Ken Johnson]

If this project ever comes to be Ken, I would love to see it. Sounds awesome.

I just purchased two stainless steel coffee mugs on Amazon that should make good liners for my wooden coffee mug. I'll be sure to post project pics.

 

[henrylarry6]

White oak may be the best as its internal structure makes it less porous than most other woods.

 

[Ken Johnson]

Here is a picture of the stainless mug I bought on Amazon. I am going to use this as the liner for my wood coffee mug and make my own handle. I liked this one best because it has a big lip that will help to cover the top edge of the wood mug. I think this will work well.

 

[Daniel Jechura]

Now don't laugh this was a 1st try at cups that almost worked.
Dan J.

 

[Ken Johnson]

I think those are great!

 

[Manuka Jock]

Me too .
Nothing wrong with either of them :thumbsup:

 

[hearthole]

Here are some of my recent cups

 

[Manuka Jock]

Nice work indeed :thumbsup:

I like the striped wood , what tree is it from ?

 

[fboyles]

It's a very rare tree, almost extinct. It all came down to one single seed, It's called the Truffula Tree. As you can see there's also a yellow and orange variety.:laughing::laughing:

Nice work indeed :thumbsup:

I like the striped wood , what tree is it from ?