Replies

1. 
   jet | Aug 26, 2007 11:13pm | #1

   Try making the "black" pieces out of walnut!

   Just ask Frenchey for some. LOL!

   He has scads of black walnut that he was going to burn unless someone came and took it away!

    

   "No doubt exists that all women are crazy; it's only a question of degree." - W.C. Fields
1. 
   doodabug | Aug 28, 2007 12:59am | #4

   I have some ebony, but I don't know if it would be good for turning.

   Just learning so I don't want to ruin good wood.

    

                                                     Dallas

1. 
   JonE | Aug 28, 2007 01:18am | #7

   Ebony's good for turning but you need *sharp* tools.   There's a lot of exotics that make a great black/white contrast for chess pieces.  For white, try holly or boxwood.  For the dark pieces, any other color works good.  Even dyed maple or birch, but I've seen some nice sets out of purpleheart, bloodwood, redheart, padauk and walnut.   You can get enough small pieces of an exotic off eBay or elsewhere for not big $$.   Purpleheart especially, is cheap and makes great turnings. 

1. 
   doodabug | Aug 28, 2007 01:55am | #8

   Thanks for that           Dallas

2. 
   maddog3 | Aug 26, 2007 11:33pm | #2

   hey D, lookin good

   call me when you're done...

   I finally went back to work !

   .

   .

   .

   .

   , wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?

1. 
   doodabug | Aug 28, 2007 01:01am | #5

   Thanks Maddog, I have Barb's floor done. Now I can tinker with stuff.

                                                       Dallas

1. 
   maddog3 | Aug 28, 2007 11:26am | #15

   you're done?.

   .

   .

   ., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?

1. 
   doodabug | Aug 29, 2007 12:39am | #18

   Yes, Check out 92953.1                    Wife's new floor              Dallas

3. 
   Shep | Aug 27, 2007 02:15am | #3

   Another turner on this board!! Cool!!

   Pretty soon we can kick out all those flat workers LOL

   Nice job on the chessmen. If you want to check out possible other styles, there's a book by Mike Darlow about turning chessmen.

1. 
   doodabug | Aug 28, 2007 01:06am | #6

   Thanks Shep, Turning is relaxing, but I like the flat stuff too.

   Several people have mentioned Mike Darlow. He must be good at it.

2. 
   Jer | Aug 28, 2007 02:34am | #10

   I did a lot of turning at one point then sold everything when we moved 9 years ago. Now I am looking into getting a midi lathe just to satisfy the old itch. You have one or know about them? The Delta seemed to get good reports.

1. 
   doodabug | Aug 28, 2007 03:39am | #12

   I just bought the Jet. Seems to be ok and quiet like a sewing machine.

   First one I worked on so I have nothing to compare it to.

2. 
   Shep | Aug 28, 2007 05:24am | #13

   Jer-

   Both the Delta and the Jet are good mini-lathes. I've used both. I have the Jet- the older model w/o electronic variable speed.

   I think Jet has a new model coming out with a little bigger capacity.

3. 
   Shep | Aug 28, 2007 05:25am | #14

   Oh yeah- there's a turning group that meets at Bucks County CC. I think the 3rd Monday of the month.

1. 
   Jer | Aug 28, 2007 01:37pm | #16

   Yeah, I know a few folks in that group and I intend to look into it as soon as things settle here. Both boys are now off to college and we are spending the coming months purging & cleaning out the house. It'll be sometime next year before I get a lathe.The George School here in Bucks has a great wood shop with about 8 large Oneway lathes in it. You really drool when you go in there.

1. 
   Shep | Aug 28, 2007 02:37pm | #17

   Did you know Palmer Sharpless?

   Great guy- I learned quite a bit from him.

2. 
   Jer | Aug 29, 2007 12:39am | #19

   I met Palmer one time.
   He used to dress in period as a Quaker from 250 years ago and run the wood shop at William Penn's Manor in Tullytown. I was there one night to sing during a Christmas fest and had some time to kill. Naturally I found the wood shop with all the hand tools of yesteryear still being used, and I struck up a conversation with Palmer. I didn't know who he was at the time, but I have to say it was one of the most interesting conversations I can ever remember. It lasted about an hour and in that time it felt like I had known him all my life. He was delighted as well and asked me to come by the classes if I could.

   I never did, and some months later I heard he had passed on. I know so many people who knew him and had him as an instructor and mentor and they have nothing but good things to say about him. He left quite a legacy behind.

3. 
   Shep | Aug 29, 2007 01:19am | #21

   Thanks for that link.

   I met Palmer a number of times, at BCCC, at the turning chapter here in NJ, and at several turning symposiums. He was always a pleasure to talk to, and very willing to share his knowledge.

4. 
   doodabug | Sep 08, 2007 01:23am | #22

   I finished the chess men. I need alot of practise before I can call myself a turner.

5. 
   DougU | Sep 09, 2007 07:54pm | #23

   Looks good!

   And you get a check from Coke for the advertisement - win/win.

   Doug

6. 
   Jer | Aug 29, 2007 12:51am | #20

   Here's a little blurb on him.http://www.georgeschool.org/files/georgian/web_v75n1winter03.pdf

4. 
   TomT226 | Aug 28, 2007 02:25am | #9

   Oak end-grain is a PITA, isin't it?

   Looks good.  I could be confused and lose with that set anytime...

    

1. 
   doodabug | Aug 28, 2007 03:34am | #11

   I would be confused with any set.

   thanks, it's white oak seems to turn ok