Why I needed large calipers

[Walter]

I don't do a lot of deep hollowing so when a friend wanted a tall vase I spent as much time making tools to facilitate the job as I did turning the vase. I have previously posted photographs of my Hollowing Tool Conversion and my extra large calipers but I also needed to make a centre steady so the whole process has taken me quite some time.

Here is the resulting vase. Comments and critique welcome.


IMG_0576 by walter.hall, on Flickr

 

[Themackay]

I like your vase Walter what is the wood and how tall is it.I have a partially turned one about 18 inches long which I need to make a steady to continue with it ,I would be intrested to see what you made for a steady.

Alan

 

[Woody]

Nice one Walter how tall is it I use the big gripper jaws when I make vases never used a centre steady on a vase before I'm intrigued it sounds interesting have you got a photo of it

 

[Vic Perrin]

Very nice Walter

Vic

 

[paulm]

Thats a lovely vase Walter and all the better for making your own tools.

 

[Walter]

Thanks Chaps

Alan and Woody it is 12in (350mm) tall and the wood is partly spalted sycamore. the finish is Drechseln and Mehr Natur-Öl

Woody if you had seen my hollowing technique you would know why a centre steady was needed.

Here is a photograph of the centre steady, the blue masking tape is to stop the skate wheels from marking the finished vase:




IMG_0572 by walter.hall, on Flickr

 

[PhillH]

Hells bells that's lovely !

Someone is going to be over the moon and if they're not then ring me

 

[Walter]

A couple more photographs:


IMG_0577 by walter.hall, on Flickr


IMG_0579 by walter.hall, on Flickr

 

[Woody]

That is very interesting Walter and a well made steady mate its good to see how other people do things thank you for showing it I used to have a steady for long thin spindle work till I sold up and have never go round to making a new one if I do I may nick your design LOL

 

[Themackay]

Hi Walter,Thanks for posting your steady is that 25mm plywood aluminiun box section,Any chance of seeing the other side the ones I have looked at on utube tend to have slots cut for sliding the arms you have devised another way by the looks of it.

Alan

 

[Terry]

A great looking vase Walter and an excellent version of a centre steady !!!

 

[Walter]

Hi Walter,Thanks for posting your steady is that 25mm plywood aluminiun box section,Any chance of seeing the other side the ones I have looked at on utube tend to have slots cut for sliding the arms you have devised another way by the looks of it.

Alan

It is 24mm plywood Alan, two sheets of 12mm laminated together. The slides are made from some mitre t-track and sliders that I rescued from an old router table. the sliders fasten through the frame and the mitre track slides on them and is locked with the knob on the back. There is also a small wooden pad to prevent sideways movement of the track.

You could do something similar with most aluminium t-track or extruded mouldings and t-nuts.


IMG_0581 by walter.hall, on Flickr

 

[Dalboy]

Good looking vase Walter, what wood is it or have I missed you saying so.

Like the calipers and the steady the later I must try and make as I want to do some deepish hollowing

 

[Walter]

Good looking vase Walter, what wood is it or have I missed you saying so.

Like the calipers and the steady the later I must try and make as I want to do some deepish hollowing

Spalted Sycamore Derek. I can definitely recommend making a steady.

 

[Themackay]

Thanks for posting steady walter good to see different designs just have to get round to making one soon.

Alan

 

[Buckeye]

That's a very nicely made steady

Peter

 

[Grump]

Very nice vase Walter and I love the steady, probably the nicest I have seen.
I have two or three different versions of the steady I use bearings for wheels which tend to mark the wood so the tape is something I shall remember for future.
The vase brings back memories of my old Zodiac, with an abundance of air horns and a klaxon I put on it. (dunno why but the shape reminds me of the klaxon)

 

[Walter]

Thanks everyone.

I use bearings for wheels which tend to mark the wood so the tape is something I shall remember for future.

Even the skate wheels mark the wood, I tried non-marking castors but they had plain bearings and made too much racket. I could easily change the wheels for small bearings if I needed to use the steady on smaller diameter work.

 

[paulm]

thats a great steady Walter, saving over £100 from Axminsters version.

 

[chas_41_uk]

Very nice vase Walter
I'll make a note of how you made the steady in case I ever need one :wink: