Creative Woodworks & crafts 2003-08, страница 44
piece of scrap like those we all have laying around the shop. Most often, I try to make them from high color woods, so 1 use a lot of Dymondwood and Colorwood. (Colorwood is similar to Dymondwooc except that Ihe colors are more in tho pastel range and it is not resin-impregnated.) Unlike some of the other kits, key chain colors do not seem to be gender specific. H:ghly "igu^ed woods also sell weil and wood from around knots and other defecls are great sources for this material. Design considerations I usually make these key chains not as a single, straight tube, but shaped more like a large barrel. I just think it looks better design-wise, also do not turn o lot of "curlicues" and c;her small derails into the wooa, because of the time (actor involved. Plus, I do not like a turning that appears to be too "busy"; I think that this detracts from the beauty of the wood and looks too amateurish. Simple is always best, but then again, that's just my opinion. Preparing the blank Whenever I use Dymondwood, I cut the blank about 1/4" to 3/8" longer than the tube. This permits me to salvage the blank in case the Dymondwood "blows out" the end during the drilling procedure, i use my chop saw to cut my blanks to length, but other methods can be used—they can even be cut by hand. In fact, Steebar seils a mini-aluminum mitre box with a small saw (No. PK-1241, $16.75) to do just that! Note: in a recent Creative Woodworks & Crafts article on making Coriari® pens, the author recommended using c small amount of water in the hole to dissipate the hea: in order to prevent similar "blow outs" in the material. I tried it again here and I can't scy thai it actually helped for certain, but it surely can't hurt! It is critical that you preserve as much of the material as possible when you turn it to round. Therefore, drilling the hole dead center is important. Connec4 the corners of the o.ank to locate its center and set the drilling vise up on the drill press so the point of the bit hits the center of the blank. This kit uses a 10mm tube. Chuck a 10mm drill bit in the drill press and drill the hole. Be sure to raise the bit often lo clear the chips and to dissipate the heat gener ated by drilling. Wood: Dymondwood or wood of choice—one piece l"x l"x3" Tools: chop saw; pen drilling vise; drill press with 10mm drill bit; pen insertion tool; pen knife; mandrell with bushings; lathe with assorted chisels; disc sanded-handheld electric drill with Velcro sanding system, buffing system; pen assembly press Danish oil No. PK-1067 Secret Compartment Key Chain Kit, $2.65 ea.* No. PK-1110 Dymondwood Blank Assortment, $16.70/6* No. SG-THICK Thick Superglue, $3.95 ea.* No. SG-THIN Thin Superglue, $3.95 ea. plus postage* INTRODUCTION Over the years, I've had a lot of peoole request that I make needle cases and toothpick holders. >n fact, there have been enough requests that I seriously researched the procedures involved in making them. The more traditional ones ere made entirely of wooa and resemble little turned boxes. Turned boxes, however, require a high tolerance between the body and lid in order to be successful. If the fit is ~oo loose, the lid falls off and if it is too tight...well, you know what happens. I eventually decided that they just were not profitable enough to make when you factored in the labor invoivea. Then I found these "Secret Compartment" key chain kits and I knew that I had the problem solved! These kits can be made without the key rings for use as needle cases. But, if you leave the ring on, "Uncle Bud" will always have a place to store an extra toothpick to replace the one that he usually has hanging out of nis mculh! Wood selection As with other kits, I made this key chain from a small 44 • Creative Woodworks & Cratr.s August 2003 SUPPLIES * Available from: Steebar Corp., (973) 383-1026, www.penmakingsupplies.com. by Joseph M. Herrmann of Timber Treasures |
