Crafts

Birdhouse Ornament

Larry Hancock constructs a birdhouse ornament with specialty wood.

That's Clever! : Episode HCLVR-103 -- More Projects » (Continued from Page 1)

Roof

13. The roof of the ornament is turned next. The disc of wood is held compressed between the chuck jaws and the tailstock center, a revolving ball bearing attachment for the tailstock. A short tenon is turned on the disc so the wood can be gripped in the chuck jaws. This will be the top of the roof.

Figure E

14. Grip the tenon in the chuck and remove the tailstock from the lathe to allow tool access for turning a recess to match the body's outer diameter and shaping the roof overhang. A small spindle gouge and chisel are used for the turning. Rough shape the lower outer edge of the roof. Move the tool rest into position for cutting the recess for the body. Make a cut into the end of the wood that matches the outer diameter of the roof and dome shape the center of the wood inside this line to remove some weight from the ornament (figure E).

15. Turn the underside details of the roof under the overhang and sand while the wood is still spinning.

16. Remove the roof from the chuck and insert a small block of wood in the chuck to turn a tenon on that fits inside the recess turned in the roof. This will now drive the wood by friction fit so the shaping on the top of the roof can be completed. With a Jacobs chuck in the tailstock, drill a 3/32-inch hole for the shaft of the top finial in the top of the roof. No sanding or finish is required at this time because of the shingle carving to be done later.

Figure F

Figure G

17. Turn the acorn finial that goes at the bottom of the ornament now. The shape is turned using a spindle gouge while gripped in a chuck with small jaws. With the lathe stopped, a small ball-shaped rotary carving bur is used to texture the top of the acorn. Sand the bottom section of the acorn and apply a finish. A 3/32-inch tenon is turned at the top of the acorn to go into the body of the ornament and then cut to length on the lathe (figure F).

18. To turn the top turnip-shaped finial, the ebony square of wood is gripped in small chuck jaws and turned round with the top end tapered. Using an electric drill with a 3/32-inch bit, drill a hole near the top perpendicular to the length of the finial. This hole will be used to hang the ornament by a string or ribbon. Turn the finial to final shape with a 3/32-inch tenon to fit in the roof. Sand and apply a finish while spinning on the lathe.

19. Turn the perch from ebony with a 3/32-inch tenon to fit the hole in the body. The perch is about 3/32 inch in diameter and 1/2 inch long with a larger shoulder to fit against the body where the tenon is inserted (figure G).

Figure H

Figure I

Figure J

20. The lathe turning is completed now and it is time to carve the roof. Lay out the shingle design on the roof by hand with a pencil. Shake shingles are irregular widths and lengths so make the pattern of shingles slightly irregular all around. A thin edge wood-burning tool is used to follow the pencil lines drawn on the roof (figure H). The depth the wood burning tool penetrates the wood will act as a guide for carving down around the shingle edges. A variety of rotary carving tool burs is used to shape the shingle (figure I). When the carving is completed, a finish is applied to the roof.

21. The different parts are now ready to be assembled. Glue the roof on to the body of the ornament. Glue the perch and acorn pieces into the body. The top finial must be glued on the roof with the hole in the top aligned so the opening in the birdhouse will face front when hung (figure J). The ornament is now complete.

E-mail: larryhancock@turnedtreasures.com

Website: www.turnedtreasures.com