Having spent two weeks away from the lathe because of a holiday over half-term, and then another two weeks away from it because the first two weeks of the new term were manic (and that's putting it mildly), I then met with a horrible accident and my GP said that there was to be no operating of machinery because the vibrations would transmit through my arms into my neck. So that was 6 weeks gouge-less! Well, at last, the doc has said that I can do an occasional hour of light wood-turning, so I've been concentrating on some tourist-friendly, reasonably priced stuff for an Information Centre nearby. Although I did push the boat out and make one large trinket box - perhaps I'll call it a 'Gent's Keepsake Box'.
By the way....if anyone knows what burr that is, please let me know, because I haven't got a clue. It was amongst a mixed bag of offcuts that I bought.
Inspiration for the miniature bird-house comes straight from Dale Nish and his excellent little boo kon the subject. They're made out of all manner of offcuts and bits of reclaimed window frame.
![](http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/lessymonds/2014%2001/2006-01-15191916Medium_zps32ecbdb9.jpg)
The pendants, once again, use up offcuts of burrs and other woods, so a great way to avoid waste. I made a couple of jigs for making them, the best one being a wooden cylinder which fits into my 120mm deep-jaws for my Patriot chuck. The cylinder had an off centre circular recess to set the pendant into, and I cut it twice a along diagonals to turn it into a set of 4 jaws....works a dream for drilling and finishing the off-centre work.
![](http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/lessymonds/2014%2001/2006-01-16010807Medium_zps18b6c6dc.jpg)
I also made a load of spinning tops, but they're not worth showing, but here's the keepsake-box, made of sycamore and about 6" tall x 3.5" diam....
![](http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/lessymonds/2014%2001/2006-01-16011042Medium_zps30015800.jpg)
![](http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/lessymonds/2014%2001/2006-01-16011206Medium_zps35274ef5.jpg)
That piece of burr was very oily...it clogged up my Rhyno abrasives.
Can't wait to get physio over and done with, then get a big lump on the lathe!
Les