From: Derek

Website: HandMadeWoodGifts

Location: Fraser, MI

Amateur or Pro: Amateur

Finish Used: 2 part epoxy to insure an water proof finish for all sorts of liquids

Wood Species: Zebrawood, Purple Heart, Canary Wood

Project Description:
I decided to make this Pimp Cup Goblet because my wife always talked about wanting a pimp cup. Now I couldn’t have her drinking from a cheap plastic bedazzled cup so I was trying to think of a way to accomplish that with wood.

Since I had never done one before, I was doing a web search for ideas and came across this style. When I saw the picture I knew exactly what woods to use, and of course, I had to super size the cup for effect. As you all know (I’m sure) your stereo-typical is usually adorned with leopard or zebra print and always something purple. So naturally the outside of the cup is zebra wood, and the stem is purple heart with a nice contrast of yellow canary wood. The tic-tac-toe layout of the purple heart and canary wood adds a unique looking weave that makes for a cool transition at the base and the top.

The final dimensions are about 9″ high, 3.5″ in diameter and it holds about 7-8 ounces of liquid… which will most likely contain alcohol. I used a 2 part epoxy for the finish provides a nice thick barrier to insure that wood won’t ever stain and that noting will contaminate the drink. I covered the whole project with it so that the finish would look consistent.

Knowing my wife, she is going to love it and be drinking from it all night! Hope you all enjoy it!

From: John Daugherty

Location: Oliver Springs, TN

Amateur or Pro: Amateur

Finish Used: Rattle can lacquer

Wood Species: walnut, cherry, maple, jatoba, mahogany, ambrosia maple

Project Description:
The bird houses I really don’t have a plan. I get my inspiration from the flowing lines of acorns. I start with a block that’s 2″ square by about 3″ long for the body of the house. If I’m planning on a finial I’ll make it a little longer. For the top I shoot for a 2 1/2″ by about 3 long. I drill the body with a 1 1/8″ forstner bit to a depth of about 1″ give or take. For the perch I drill a 1/16″ hole about 1/2″ below the entry hole which is 1/2″. I drill the entry hole 1/2″ down from the top of the body. I drill the entry hole while the blank is still square and before hollowing. If it’s drilled after hollowing I sometimes get a blowout on the inside and can’t go as thin as I’d like.

I use a chuck on the lathe with pin jaws. I use the 1 1/8″ hole to hold the body of the house. I shape the outside of the house turning it down till it’s about 1/8″ thick. I use the opening for the bird to judge thickness. For the top I turn a 1 1/8″ tenon that fits inside the body. I use the jaws to hold the tenon I turn on the top so I can shape it. For good measure I’ll put a couple drops of thick CA glue around the top to glue it to the body. For the eye hook I use a 1/32 bit and drill the hole with the top on the lathe. I hold the bit by hand and turn the lathe by hand. I’ll add a small drop of CA to the hook too. The finish is usually rattle can lacquer.

I like to use contrasting woods and wood that is gnarly with character. These are really fun to turn and you can crank out several in no time.

From: Michael Harman

Website: Lumberjock’s Profile

Location: Dayton, OH

Amateur or Pro: Amateur

Wood Species: Walnut, Cherry, Birdseye Maple

Project Description: This is only the second segmented bowl I’ve turned and it was really a surprise how easy it was to construct and turn. Turning this bowl was way easier than I thought and very enjoyable. I won’t win any design competitions with my simple design but the outcome is really great and does not take long. I would encourage anyone to give it a try. I have simply a Jet 1014 lathe and common lathe tools. It is a quick and satisfying project.

Process: I glued up several 8-sided rings (painters tape to hold the segments together): this makes it faster. When I got them all assembled I stacked them and clamped them in place. I included a piece of plywood on the very top to mount the faceplate. I inserted a piece of paper between the top ring and the plywood mount. I was able to turn them only a few hours later. Once the outside and bottom were shaped using a roughing and spindle gouge, I was able to break the paper bond from the plywood and flip the piece around, mounting it on a chuck. I turned the top edge and inside with a gouge and scraper. The scraper, utilized at a downward angle to engage the hook edge properly, is really the key.

Finish: Sanded 120-400 grit and buffed with cotton cloth while on the lathe: finished with only 1 coat of tung oil.

Here’s a video Michael made of the turning process:

I’m from Quebec Canada (French part). I’m new to woodworking and I discovered your website more than a year ago and I would like to thank you because it’s a wonderful source of information. Here’s a few pics of a small project I did. It’s a prototype. I will do it again to make it better but I thought I would first share the idea. This was very inexpensive to make because it was made with what I had on hand at that time. Pieces of floating wood found on a river shore. A brass rod. 2 magnets. A piece of scrap cherry which I used to turn the pen. 3 layers of water based semi-gloss finish and that was it.

Like I said, this is a prototype but I thought I would share the idea and see if it would challenge the woodworkers and push them to make their own project which I am sure will be better than mine. Thanks again for the information shared on your site and keep up the good work!

Just wanted to send you a little note. I have been having a lot of fun turning as it is one of the few things I can do right now. It gets frustrating with the lathe I have, (a mini lathe) but it just makes the challenge that much more interesting and the finished product that much more satisfying. I turned this for my little brother out of a piece of his fire wood (lodge pole pine) and some padauk. I call it “Growing from the Heart”. I thought it was neat but it is really a rough piece. I didn’t sand the belly or fix course turning in the base. Even the finish (6 coats of shellac) has some streaks in it. Of course I will admit I left everything that way on purpose as for me is symbolizes the “growing” process. My wife says I tend to be to deep and sentimental.

We are doing a “White Elephant” type game with this year’s exchange. All of the gifts are placed under the tree, everyone picks a number and then gifts are chosen from under the tree in the order of the number that you chose. You can then choose to exchange gifts with the person that picks a present after you (2 times). We have never done this before, but we know families that have, and they have a great time.

This segmented vase is made up of 223 pieces of, yellow heart, ash, mahogany, maple, cherry and walnut veneer. 16 pieces make up each ring. The feature ring is a diamond pattern made of maple and cherry. At the widest part it is 11.5 inches in diameter. There is well over 20 hours put into a piece like this, I hope you will appreciate the time I put into it.