Play time.

[bodrighywood]

Long time since I have made miniatures and I had a student yesterday who collects and sells them and wanted to have a go making her own. Decided to spend some time today making myself some for fun. 20p piece is for reference as to sizes, not cost LOL. Finial on the little hollow form is seperate and seeing it in the photo is too chunky, Looked OK at first LOL.

Pete

[crazylegs]

blimey ! how do you hold them?

[bodrighywood]

blimey ! how do you hold them?

Carefully LOL. I have a set of very small jaws that will hold down to 10mm

Pete

[Bryan Milham]

Very clever Pete.

Years ago I was talking to a person who makes Dolls house miniatures (probably a bit bigger than these mind). He told me that he worked in fruit woods (apple, pear etc., not cherry) as the grain looked right in the small scale.

[edbanger]

Very smart Pete, I don't think I could see them to turn them 

All the best

Ed

[bodrighywood]

These are roughly 1/12th scale which is the most common size. Some are 1/24th   but scale is most important if making specific copies. The wood is important and fruit woods do tend to be quite good as you don't want too much grain visible. Some cherry woods can be OK. Woods can vary so much that it is often a case of cutting and seeing if it is appropriate.
Not as difficult to see as perhaps you think Ed. Hardest one was the goblet with a captive ring, had to make a new tool for that one.

Pete

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

Hardest one was the goblet with a captive ring, had to make a new tool for that one.

Pete

I know what you are saying here Pete as making a new tool is part of the enjoyment process, it's not all about turning is it?

[bodrighywood]

Totally agree John. Traditionally (IMHO) is a part of the art and craft movement, not just on it's own. Adapting, to new ideas, working out how to incorporate new ideas, making tools for the job, jusing other media such as metals, pottery, jewellery etc is all part of the fun for me at least. Some of the best work we see is the collaborative work and where people have stretcghed to try new ideas. Doesn't always work but that's part of the process as I see it. Not every one will like it but then not every one likes some of the well established craftsmen and artists either.

Pete