Richard Raffan turns drawer knobs using a spindle gouge

This video becomes a tutorial on using a spindle gouge on small facework as I turn a few drawer knobs in different timbers. You see several ways of decorating the face and burning grooves with a stick.

[@paulotarsocampinho7637]

I have had a habit since the beginning of this series of videos of yours, coming here every day waiting for surprises, this was a great day,... what a beautiful and inspiring work,... thank you for all the teachings, most sense of humor, a nail holding a screw, fantastic,... thank you so much

[@ashleyhoward8926]

I wish people would ask me to make sets of things that don't match ! Most enjoyable, thank you.

[@randyscorner9434]

Yet another demonstration of mastery and flexibility. I love the different patterns and notice they get more elaborate as time goes on. That's one way to beat boredom.

[@robohippy]

I turned all the drawer and cabinet pulls for my new house. I did turn them all end grain. I do use a coarse threaded screw, and some wax to help it screw into some of the harder woods. I used as many different woods as I could find. A coarse thread will hold in end grain if you don't drill the hole too big. Made a screw chuck similar to yours.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Great topic. Always amazed at seeing woodturners shop pix that show store bought knobs. I love turning knobs and use them on the end of a variety of dowel projections hanging on my French cleats to hang a variety of things. When I first got into woodworking shortly before I retired, I discovered the Robertson square screw and now keep a variety of sizes on hand. I hate the old flat screw driver screws and almost never use them. I have had excellent success with 5 minute epoxy for things like my hand drill bit tools. Not so much with CA glue.

[@STMwoodturning]

Never thought of turning drawer knobs, thanks for sharing 😊

[@jackthompson5092]

Great knobs a fire Richard.

[@johnnyb95678]

I always look forward to seeing your videos. The knobs are so interesting and as with all your videos, I always learn something new. Thank you for sharing!

[@JamesDavidson-fv6zh]

Jimda. I watch your show all the time when it's on Brilliant Show. Keep it up. Jim

[@MarklTucson]

Really liked seeing the broad range of possibilities in design as well as the details of how they were turned.

[@martingayle5376]

Thanks for this new video! I always appreciate your insights.

[@MrThetaphi]

Thank you for sharing this! Wonderful work and so well explained. A pleasure to watch!

[@scotthaddad563]

You sir should be very proud of yourself, not only for your turning skill but your accomplishments as a teacher. I mention the teaching aspect due to the fact that back in 1997 I purchased a lathe from a neighbor. His father had bought it new and never uncrated it. He had passed and his son had no interest. After the lathe, I bought some videos of yours, firstly they were VHS and later CDs. Thank you for the lessons.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I'm glad to have been of some help.

[@archiehebron8944]

Outstanding, sir. I'm appreciative of the variety and show of the skills used. Thanks for sharing.

[@cudamank]

Another good teaching video. I enjoy how relaxed your movements are. I tend to tense up as I concentrate.

[@atelierunterderteck7583]

Thanks for this video. Last year I made several missing knobs, they had to be glued in with tenons, so I made blanks between centers, turned the tenons with 12 mm and fixed the blanks in a Jacobs- (drilling) chuck, to be turned finished there.

[@DavidBird-uu8km]

Very nice another great video with great information.

[@DennisSuitters]

Wow, who would have thought turning a few knobs would have so many tips, thank you for imparting your knowledge Richard. For those who do need to produce many items the same, other than using a template to compare progress, do you have other tips that would help with repeatability? Also, I've noticed the introduction part of your videos, which the content itself I find good, the volume tends to be a bit low. Not sure what video editing software you use, but I am aware that most Non-Linear Video Editors, such as KDEnlive (Open Source, and what I use), or Premiere Pro, etc. Have a Volume Ramp, where you can increase or decrease the volume in sections of videos to allow levelling the volume so it's consistent. Other than that, I think you're videos are done well, and I appreciate you leaving mistakes in for demonstration and explaining why they happened and how to remedy them, and the different angles you use. Again, thank you for sharing and imparting your vast knowledge.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Truning repetitively, I lay out the height and crucial diameters, trust my eye for the curves, and not change my technique for that run of knobs or whatever. I'm videoing on an iPhone Xs 16.2 and doing minimal editing in iMovie. I do adjust the sound when I find it too high or low to achieve consistency , but by ear and not the technology which I'm sure is available. Sounds like something I might have to learn about.

[@DennisSuitters]

I would have thought iMovie would allow you to adjust the volume so it's similar to the other clips. The video's are fine in my opinion, and always informative, I just find the volume a little low, otherwise I appreciate the time and effort you put into sharing your knowledge.

[@tricolorturners]

Beautiful! Love the idea of a variety as it takes the stress out of repetitive turning. Thank you!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Certainly does.

[@cobberpete1]

Another tip to remember. Make Screw chucks to suit the job. Not only for the bigger bowls

[@andoidv8945]

Wonderful 👌

[@brucemanning7827]

Excellent

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks

[@archiehebron8944]

Is the sock cotton or wool? I've always thought it looked woolen. I figure that just because I would expect it to work better and wear longer.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

All cotton socks, but wool is good too.

[@milasiroky3301]

Hallo Richard, is the beeswax modified in some way (oil, thinner...) or do you use natural? Thank you.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I'm using natural beeswax that's at least 50 years old which might account for it being quite dark.

[@garyoa1]

Novice here but why make them one at a time? I usually make 4 or 5 depending on the length of the blank. And get more without a chuck and much quicker.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

The reason these knobs were made this way is explained at the beginning of the video. These are crossgrain requiring facework techniques. If you're making several knobs out of one blank projecting from a chuck you're probable working with a typical spindle/eendgrain blank with the grain parallel to the lathe axis. Working that way you might be able to turn the face of the knob, but drilling the screw hole in the back accurately could be tricky. Endgrain knobs are usually turrned with tenons for strength.

[@garyoa1]

Ah, gotcha. Yeah I just use the spindle type. I made a few for my drill press a few years back and they're still holding up fine. No chuck required and just plain pine. But I can understand if someone requested them. I don't see a drawer knob getting much wear. As far as the hole, there already would be one on one end so kind of simple to set up a little jig for them. But, nice work on the knobs!

[@kestutissmalinskas3936]

There's money to be made in reproducing knobs for antique radios

[@reekiereekie7264]

Richard what do you think are the best chuck jaws for a beginner. Ones that will do lots of different projects

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I use Vicmarc chucks because I've found them better overall than any other, chiefly because their chuck jaws enable a wider range of uses than other manufacturers' jaws. My advice is always to get the longer Shark Jaws in place of the standard jaws, because they offer a more secure grip for endgrain blanks. Which size you buy depends in the scale of work but the 55mm Shark Jaws are probably a good first buy. With only one chuck and jaw set it pays to use jam chucks.

[@reekiereekie7264]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning thanks