Making a big wooden sphere
I have wanted to make a large sphere from a single section through a log so that the grain is continuous all the way around the sphere. About two years ago, I turned two bowl blanks from opposite sides of the same cherry log. They are now dry and ready to be finished. I needed a little more dimension between the two halves so that they would form a sphere. I made a segmented piece to fit between the two bowl halves. Using the CNC, I cut into the rim of the two bowls and into the new segmented space section, forming a geometric wavy pattern for the segmented section. I wood turned the insert and the two halves into a sphere on the lathe.
Tools used in this project can be found at
CNC: http://www.cncrouterparts.com
wood turning tools: http://carterandsontoolworks.com/
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Excellent!!
I really like the juxtaposition of the very human 90* angles of the lighter wood and how they're seamlessly part of a very natural looking perfectly imperfect grain of an old tree. I wish I could read those rings sometimes. Just to know it's story. Sometimes you see a little divet in the rings and you think maybe the tree was injured and then it took 12 years to recover. Or whatever the case may be. Really cool video as always Frank.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!
Spinal Tap reference!
Maybe a geo-Jupiter 🤷🏻♂️
Love it!!!👍🏻👍🏻
What a beautiful piece! I also like the idea of a small flat spot on one side of the sphere, so it doesn't need a stand and can freely sit on a surface. A stand would take away from the piece in my opinion.
I also really like the maple, such gorgeous wood!
reminds me of saturn!
Exactly what I needed to start my day and get my mind into workshop mode. Awesome video as always
Another gem, Frank.
Reminds me of Jupiter and the Great Eye!
Something with spikes… hummm, a morning star?
I remember in a past video about making spheres, you mentioned that you can end up chasing the sphere on the lathe until there is no material left. The image of removing half the difference made that click for me. Thanks for showing that!
Something with spikes would be really neat to see. I fold a lot of kusudama origami and I'm willing to bet looking up examples of that could give you some inspiration.
That pattern would be great as just a bowl rim!
Looks great Frank,
Not bad Frank. I wasn't sure about the ring in the middle at first, but I do like the finished sphere. Don't know why but at first look the Death Star from Star Wars came to mine. Maybe, maybe not? Bottom line, it looks great. Thank you for sharing. Have a great Holiday and stay healthy.
Excellent video
Thanks Frank. Your video was a nice way to start my Sunday.
Yes, I too see Jupiter in it when it’s spinning
That is pretty neat.
Like square Borg bits integrating into some organism.
Accentuating the different inserts might also be really cool, if you want to take the effect even further.
This cherry is gorgeous! Beautiful project.
Very cool. Thanks for sharing. I hope you and your family have a fantastic Christmas.
Frank "the geometric form of the insert against the organic form of the grain is interesting"
Me "it looks neat" 🤣
youre video's are so calming
A cool idea would also be a sphere that you can take apart as two bowls an the middle rings could be used to prevent the bowls from falling over
I'm wondering if you could use the lathe chuck to hold the bowl blanks on the cnc…..
Born from curiosity, formed by skill, and a well-tooled shop. Fantastic results!
I think you should take this as a design basis for a bowl or storage container rather than just an ornamental object. Carry the "seam" further up from the center on one "side" but don't glue it in place and allow the top portion to be separated. The ridges will prevent the lid from sliding off and you have the perfect place to hide any number of things (candy, coins, lint…whatever you want) from those that are unaware of the functionality of the sphere! You could also create interlocking bowls that nest together but can be separated when needed. Looking forward to more!
Yes !
It looks amazing!!! Great work Frank!
Maravilha!
Nice!😇👍
Frank… If you want a sphere with spikes… Go see Wesley Treat first… He may have already copyrighted that idea!!! 😁
you could also say the spinal taps could come off at 12:01
Nice!
I always love celebrating over hiding! Absolutely beautiful!
A sphere with spikes… one step away from from a big wooden corona virus.