How to Turn a Sphere Without a Jig

[@karlkoch320]

Thanks Mike. I have decided to try some spheres this week and your video should give me a great start.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Have fun!

[@jamesmoore3346]

I'm a newbie, bought a mini lathe a yr back to make parts to compliment my scrollsaw work but in the last 3-4mths I have been "discovering" the lathe, finding my self doing more and more lathe projects. Boy, do I have a long way to go. Just wanted to let you know your videos along with others has real taught me a lot. Just having good times a turning..... Thanks Mike...

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for commenting, Enjoy the journey.

[@chucksmith9633]

Thanks Mike. I've got SO many scrap blocks of cherry and walnut that might make good spheres that I searched for turning spheres videos w/o expensive jigs. Yours came up and it looks doable. Time to make a couple of jam chucks and give it a try!

[@loujacobs9291]

thanks for the terrific video Mike. I love your instructional style. Very clear and not overly pedantic.

[@rbollard1]

You made that look deceptively easy, Mike. Now I have to get the new lathe stand Finished! Driving me Krazy I can't run out to the shop and try this. You & Mike Waldt are my private tutors, you know.....

[@steveng6269]

Just found your channel a few months ago. Im a new turner and really getting a lot from you! Thanks

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I appreciate that. I hope you can find a nearby club.

[@jackmaravola2496]

Mike, nice tips given for turning sphere without a jig...! Looking forward to your next and future well edited video shows...!

[@icespeckledhens]

A very nice collection of spheres, thanks for sharing your process. James

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for watching. They are fun.

[@icespeckledhens]

Very nice spheres and thanks for a very clear tutorial. James

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, James. I am working on one using a commercial jig which should be ready in aabout 10 days.

[@trisic2697]

Fun video! Look forward to trying it!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Have fun!

[@denisedonovan2639]

Great video and excellent instructions. I'm going to give this a try 😊

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Hope you enjoy. They are kind of fun. Until you have so many you don't know what to do with them!

[@55dougie]

Very nice tips on making the sphere balls...... I like the grooves and even the little stands you made for them....

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, Doug. Funny how something as simple as a stand can make the sphere project more appealing.

[@MikeWaldt]

Great video Mike, very interesting and enjoyable. Cheers Mike

[@fredslawson7259]

I'm seeing the beginnings of Christmas ornaments. Thanks again!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I guess I need to do a video on hollow globe ornaments.

[@larryryan2400]

Mike many thanks for a brilliant demonstration unfortunately you made it look so easy to turn a sphere. Good luck LARRY RYAN

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Go for it, Larry. You can do this.

[@malcolmconnor6602]

Mike, great tips and video. Looks round to me, thank you very much.

[@zaneclark3667]

mike I want to thank you, you showed me how make thing I only dreamed about!

[@1Igster1]

Got yourself a new subscriber ;) I also live in Georgia (Stone Mountain) and am a novice turner - your videos are very instructive and I am learning a lot. Can't wait to try my hand at a sphere!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for subscribing. Glad you are getting inspired by my videos.

[@albertdawson6814]

Thanks Mike for sharing.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

My pleasure!!

[@KE4YAL]

Great video Mike thanks for all the time you spend on your videos

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I appreciate your comment, Jerry.

[@ga5743]

Thanks for the lesson Mike, just may have to give it a try.

[@williambuckley1185]

Good one very interesting,

[@paulharris9107]

Pearlescent powder is good mixed into epoxy (even the 5 minute kind) for a fill... use less powder that way and it’s easier to control where it ends up :) good video!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I have not tried that yet. Thanks for the tip, Paul!

[@JimmiePorterAtStuartArts]

Fun to watch. Yet another interesting project added to my list. Thanks!

[@williamlott6631]

How about making a video on how to make the tennis ball? Thanks for all your videos!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I do not think I could use another one. It is just a decorated sphere. I dide the sphere with yellow dye. I did the groove with a dremel tool and colored it with a silver felt tip pen. Pyrography for the Penn logo and number.

[@thomasmathews3904]

Good video I am going too try that this weekend.

[@rbollard1]

Thomas Mathews Jealous. Lathe stand isn't finished yet!!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

We have a saying here, "Pick up the pace, Bubba".

[@jeffoldham3466]

mike I think they look great,,im having a hard time of turning a sphere,,hopefully after watching your video I will get better

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I am sure you will. They don't have to be perfectly round to look good.

[@jeffoldham3466]

actually mike im trying to get better at rounding so i can make a coffee scoop like you did in one of your videos,,lol,,its just a hit and miss now,,more misses that hits,,lol

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

@@jeffoldham3466 Sounds like your challenge is basic tool control. If so just grab a scrap and work on developing tool control without the pressure of actually making something.

[@trainwon5699]

Mike nice video angle and Quality! Thanks

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, Don. I appreciate the feedback.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Good video. Doing some research for yet another sphere video.... Sam

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I look forward to seeing it.

[@leksey7870]

Beautiful work!

[@petersmith5199]

You made that look very simple. Thanks for sharing. Another project goes on the list to try!

[@i9mm2]

Thanks going to give it a try!!!!

[@ibrahimyousef]

Thanks Mr Mike good work

[@limaartesao]

muito bom parabens abraços do brasil

[@allanwright5736]

Thanks Mike it looks like good fun.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

They are kind of fun. They don't take long and lots of ways to decorate.

[@yari_4409]

Thanks a nice video

[@karodora]

I thoroughly enjoy your videos. As you were sanding you said something about not getting the paper too close because it would catch. I notice, however, that you and many other wood craftsmen wear long sleeves with open cuffs when turning. I keep thinking your sleeve will get caught in the lathe. Perhaps it was just the angle at which it was filmed, so ignore my comment if my observation is not correct.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

It is mostly the angle. I tend to be rather cautious and deliberate in turning but my evaluation of my turning operations leads me to believe that for me, snug long sleeves are not a serious concern. My wrists just don't get that close to the chuck or moving wood.

[@JTLEE-zd2ig]

Very Interesting !

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Try 'em!

[@lsneiva]

Very, very good!...

[@Michael-vf2uy]

Very Enjoyable Mike! Just got my first lathe second hand from a kind fellow man who supplied seven or eight well sharpened chisels and two bottles of home made wine. Could i attempt making spheres as a first project or what would you recommend? Would make the attempt before sampling the home made.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Definitely wait on the wine to celebrate a turning success. No, spheres are not a starter project. Just work on beads and coves until you learn some tool control and sharpening.

[@RenegadeThat]

Have you ever tried turning a sphere with a resin inlay? An idea I plan to try out is to drill a hole 1"-2" hole into a blank, put an object in the center, fill with resin, and turn a sphere from that.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Never turned resin. One day.

[@GeraldJensen]

Mike ... Only a woodturner could have a glue emergency! I have a set of collett chucks that I use for sanding (neither of my Jacobs chucks is threaded for a drawer bar).

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Good idea if your mandrel fits one of your collets. Easier than a draw bar. I am using a threaded rod couple that is hexagonal and it won't fit in the 3/8 of 1/2 collets I have.

[@johnfordham9791]

Good video!!!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks.

[@garymccoy2888]

Hey Mike. I have been practicing with my skew and thought making a ball would be fun...I can't seem to get the second part right. When I turn the ball in the jig to cut off the tenons, I can't get it in straight. Therefore it screws up the shape. What am I doing wrong? Thanks

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Getting the friction chuck profiles shaped to match the sphere is important. To shallow and the shpere can shift. Take light cuts. Not sure I would be using a skew except perhaps on the initial between centers shaping. Once you put it between friction chucks, sometimes you are cutting end grain and sometimes cross grain.

[@RTK1948]

Very nice, Mike. But I wanted to see you juggle THREE spheres. :)

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

How about 2 spheres and a skew! That is not going to happen either, LOL. Drop one of those spheres on your foot and it leaves a mark. DAMHIKT.

[@rickschuman2926]

How do the fittings between the sphere and the head and tail stock not qualify as a jig?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

If you want to call those things jigs that is ok with me. Wikipedia says "A jig's primary purpose is to provide repeatability, accuracy, and interchangeability in the manufacturing of products.[1] A jig is often confused with a fixture; a fixture holds the work in a fixed location. A device that does both functions (holding the work and guiding a tool) is called a jig." To me those parts would qualify as fittings. When I said cutting a sphere without a jig, I was speaking of a sphere cutting jig that holds a HSS scraper on a moveable arm to shape a sphere.

[@willemkossen]

I need to try a ball.

[@billnestor9147]

Turning with loose long sleeves could lead to a problem

[@keithcorodimas8093]

Do you have use green wood for spheres? Thanks for the video.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

No. Green is just more pleasant to turn but will likely go a bit oval. You can always true it up later. Sometimes it just depends on what you have. 3" square billets of KD wood are readily available in about 2" to 3' lengths of cherry, Maple or ash.

[@keithcorodimas8093]

Thanks