Making Bird Cages....of a different kind

I started making the bird cages for the tilt and turn tables. The Mopane wood one is glued together and one can easily see why they called them bird cages back in the 18th century. The bird cage is made up of a bottom with a hole drilled right through to enable it to turn, 4 tiny spindles and a top with an inverted ball shaped hole. The table tops that I will make this week will rest on top of the cage and tilt forward.

I use a duplicator when I have to turn so many parts that needs to look the same, on the left you can see the brass template with the follower touching it. The follower guides the cutter, with things this small you have to prepare twice the amount of wood you need as they sometimes just suddenly snap off with the grain.

With two of the chairs to show the size of the table.

Have a great week
Elga

Turning Tiny Drawer Knobs

The start of a drawer knob.

I do most of my turning with a duplicator mounted to the lathe.

The cutter has been moved to the side so that you can see the brass template that the duplicator follows to make the turning.

The finished turning, the little point will be removed by hand.

A drawer knob ready in a pin vise for the point to be removed, the one on the right is already nice and smooth and the one on the left is next in line.

With a no. 11 blade to show size, need to go turn a few more as half of them suddenly snaps off while turning, they are so small.

Hope you all have a great weekend.
Elga