New wood pics

Dave Shady Larsen

Dave Shady Larsen

Well-known member
Burl Maple and ebony with regular maple toneboard laminated with ebony caped in burl and reg-maple

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Had never tried to glue Ebony before and was happy when it held together. Going to mess with some Cocobolo inlays next I think.​
The ebony runs about $30.00 a foot for 2x2 so I dont like to use it much.......​
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Dave,
Those look great!!! I am considering trying the call turning thing. I have the Keats book on the way, anymore recommendations?
 
A couple of things to get you started for next to no cost for expensive mandrels ect woudl be this.

To turn your bodys what ever bore your going with I assume 5/8" buy a 1" hard wood dowel rod or turn your own. make it about 10" long

Take this and between centers turn the very center of the rod turn 2" down to 5/8". This leaves you with left and right 1" of 5/8" rod. Now over the next 2" make a taper to your rod from the 5/8" up to 3/4". Then you can split this in half and have to pcs that will fit tight in your drilled bbls and when you put them in the lathe they will turn true as possible. Its a cheap way to get a bbl turned. I use the same mandrel as described but its STEEL and made to fit my #2MT lathe head so no spur center and on the other end its drilled for my live center to spin.

The book will show a rod style that fits in a collet chuck (another expense) or a pen style I have never used.


The insert I do way differnt than most. I square up the block mark centers and before drilling I take my spur center and drive it into the end and dimple the other end. BEFORE you remove your spur make the block with one of the 4 teeth on the spur so you always put it back the SAME WAY! I cant stress that enough. I took an engraver to my spur center and use pencil on the blocks. Now you have it marked like your going to turn but then I drill my hole. 1/4" x 6" aircraft bit (ava at any GOOD lumber or Hardware store) I drill a 4 3/8" deep hole in the 5" block. make sure you drill this slow and get it well centered in a press vise.

Lots of trial and error but when you have your insert done to fit the bore of your body you take that same bit and put it in on a FLAT surface and roll the bit along an edge you will see the insert possibly wobble off center when you watch it. Do this slowly and when you think the insert end is at the HIGH point of the revolution mark that spot and that will get your tone channle in the middle and at the deepest point........

Theres some stuff for you to mull over. anything comes up feel free to ask. No secrets here just my methods that sometimes arent the way other do it but it works for me!

You will enjoy the book lots of good info but it can be done much simpler than some ways shown and not investing Hundreds in Jigs and Mandrels.
 
Thanks for the tips Dave. What kind of lathe are you using? I am looking at a Jet mini lathe that seems to fit the bill, variable speed, MT2, all cast bench model. I hope to pick up my book this week and I am sure I will have more questions when I get started. Shawn
 
I use the jet also same one. I will try and get some pics of my mandrels and stuff this weekend for you for referance if you want.

I can also buy robert larson mid sized 5pc tourning kit at wholesale if you looking for tools runs abut 62$ for 5 pc set and they are HSS.
 
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