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how too ?

I believe those are done with a powered cutter, like a ball, on a duplicating machine. Or the piece is fixed and the helix is cut by hand with a rasp. However, if it can be done on a spinning lathe, I would like to know how. :huh:
 
Dave, turning spirals in wood requires two timed movements. The turning of the lathe at a specific speed and a cutter (usually a router) moving on a horizontal axis. Here are some examples.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/article/spiral-routing-on-the-lathe.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDumrWx9cq4

The manufactured one (don't think it has been available now for years) was called a legacy lathe. http://legacywoodworking.com/ornamentalMilling.cfm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpDJNYqCrEU

I have a pen wizard which is somewhat the same as a legacy mill only in miniature form. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXgBPEpWuoQ

Would think a metal lathe with a router for the cutter would do the job easiest. The difficult thing is the ability to keep reproducing the cut (so it can go deeper).
 
Leo Voisine said:
I wish I had my new CNC machine.

That entire table looks like a fun project.
Click to expand...

:rofl: Yeah a CNC with a Z axis would make short shift of it for sure!

Roy did a version on the woodwrights shop a while back as well - this is what I've followed for barley twist. Its more or less the same as what Darren linked but a bit of variation on technique and carving tool selection. The carving starts at about 15:00 in.
http://video.pbs.org/video/2365001060/
 
I have a device called a 'router lathe.' It holds a piece of wood and moves the router down the piece as it turns, allowing the carving of spirals, and it can also be used for flutes. I haven't used mine yet, but I picked it up for $25 off Kijiji, and have seen others at about the same price.

It is similar to this one.
 
I have seen that done in a similar way to what Jonathan showed. It was done by a German turner who had a router rig set up. But, he turned the wood spindle by hand to get what he wanted.
 
A couple of ways to turn them.
1. Sears CRAFTSMAN Router Crafter Model 720 25250 . I have one and used it to turn spiral spindles for a staircase for my folks and some for myself. Really simple to use.
2. Buy a flute master -http://www.flutemasters.com/ - you will have to also buy the spiral master. I have the flute master and made my own spiral jig with it. I think the directions are still on his web site.

Number 1 will be cheaper if you can find one
 
Darren Wright said:
Probably more than you'd want to build, but saw on one of the links above the shop notes router jig. Plans are available at the link below.

Some videos of it... http://www.shopnotes.com/issues/115/videos/router-milling-machine-video/

http://www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/router-jig-milling-machine/
Click to expand...


Or wait till Leo has his new machine setup and get him to do it for a fee.

I think a hybrid solution of the jig would be best. I dont think i would have the patience to make a square blank round on a jig like that knowing there are things called lathes. :rofl:
 
Rob Keeble said:
Or wait till Leo has his new machine setup and get him to do it for a fee.

I think a hybrid solution of the jig would be best. I dont think i would have the patience to make a square blank round on a jig like that knowing there are things called lathes. :rofl:
Click to expand...

True, can't blame one there. I'll most likely build an rotary for my cnc, but have to admit it would be a handy machine if you were doing fluting or spirals like that.
 
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