Turning a wooden Sphere on the Lathe

[@ArcticFlies56]

Sam, you made the perfect story, no beginning and no end.

[@MikeWaldt]

Fascinating Sam, and again very well explained and demonstrated. Your method is one we all could employ, without any high tech gizmos. Thank you take care Mike

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Yea, I can't see going that far. I think it more of an accomplishment doing it freehand as much as possible. Have a great day. Sam

[@piggybladder]

'No beginning and no end'... to infinity and beyond...great vid fella!

[@TomGlander]

"Nothing to sphere, but sphere itself." Excellent work. Thanks for sharing.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

+Tom Glander Thanks, Sam

[@user-sq4mwfioe]

I searched for the way to make a sphere. Your way is the best I think. Very helpful. Thank you very much.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Thanks very much for watching, Sam

[@MaturePatriot]

It's been over 40 years since I've turned any walnut, but I can smell the sweet smell, just watching you. The mind is an amazing thing. I like your tool support. Great work. A true craftsman.

[@joelb2297]

Nice comment, it is good to find appreciation for any artist's work.

[@alansimpson596]

Many thanks Sam for an excellent tutorial on making a sphere. I certainly learned several new techniques from this video. I'm very enthusiastic about wood turning and I absorb every thing I can possibly learn from expert turners such as yourself and other contributors to KZbin. Best wishes, Alan.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Thanks, Alan Not sure about the expert part....more like longevity.

[@meyawabdulaziz3863]

well it can be used for the stair rail ends ....i still love those .... now you just gave me an idea how to make them...appreciate it

[@jerryboyd6467]

I recently built a new garage and in pursuit of something new to do (and maybe make some $ on the side) I put a room attic on top of it to make a wood shop. 34 x 12 and I love it. I bout a mill, a lathe, etc. and just watch experts like you to learn new things and then experiment with pine until I got it. I love this video - very insightful and answered some questions I had about how to improve the cosmetics of some bed posts I am making for my daughter who is about to buy her fist home. Thanks for taking the time.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Thanks for watching Sam

[@HiramWoodworking]

I’m glad I waited until the end for that amazing Roosevelt pun!!! Also, great information as always Sam! Thank you.

[@plantpower1966]

I also turn spheres. Try a jar or a tin something with a perfect round opening and place on top. This is an infinite template and works really well.

[@brennanbaggett9831]

Spectacular! I'm going to have to try that some time. Thank you for the post!

[@griffisguitars2921]

Great job! I love the attention to details. "Nothing to sphere but sphere itself." Might be the best part. :)

[@aminelover8666]

Thank you. This video was really helpful. I plan to make a sphear out of wood soon for a costume. I haven't used a lathe since 7th grade and this was a great refresher. I can't wait to start my project

[@mhaz49]

Just starting to learn sphere turning. You've given me some great tips.

[@photoz238]

Great video. Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing!

[@gordondevereaux8413]

Beautiful technique and finished product.

[@etsa.samahi720]

Really nice work, enjoyed very much. Thanks Teacher.

[@sheraz14]

Thanks a lot Sam this video was very educating......

[@jakepapadopoulos8654]

Hi, I'm a licenced general machinist with metals and plastics but I also like wood working. There are probably a zillion vids on KZbin these days on anything, but this one got my attention. I never saw anything like this before and it looks real neat. Oh I wish There was KZbin when I was a kid, there are so many things I could have learned. I also learned a lot about doing stuff on my Jeep. All the same thanks for the video! Jake

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

***** Thanks very much. Sam

[@rimar2000]

Beautiful work, master.

[@MrDancampbell60]

Turning a perfect sphere is the most difficult thing I have ever tried to do on the lathe. It is s great practice exerciseAs always, good job, Sam!.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

+Dan Campbell You are correct......and it is great fun as well. Sam

[@MicroControl33]

Very, very, very nice!! It's so beautiful!!

[@Tim1967-o7j]

You made a sphere. And anyone who can accomplish this by what ever means has accomplished something. I think the dreaded skew would have been a perfect tool to this project. Nice work and accomplishment all the same. Thanks for your approach to the sphere.

[@frodo6363]

Exactly Sam, why not. i'm going to make one right now!!Cheers

[@alangriffiths3360]

Love the wyomingwoodturner, very clear and precise instruction. From a greatfull Brit

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Alan Thanks very much for watching. Cheers, Sam

[@mitchmarks500]

I watched a video where the woodworker said "the best part of a bowl is the part you remove". This ball is like bowl guts, looks great.

[@icespeckledhens]

Its a very useful guide to making a perfect sphere. Thanks

[@7SlotFever]

Thank you Sam! I am about to have a go at this and SO appreciate your guidance. My grandson has requested a Wizard's Staff, this will be on the top. Wish me luck!

[@7SlotFever]

well.... practice makes perfect I guess. This is a lot harder than it looks!

[@tko7live]

Amazing craftsmanship!

[@MihailDadun]

"-Why would you want to do that?" "-Why not?" Big like. Nice content and very cool work, sir.

[@fredmott7086]

Thank you for an excellent presentation. Also, I love the "sphere blocks". Great idea.Fred

[@michaelstafford195]

Good job Sam. I have been looking at different methods to accurately size wooden balls for kendamas and I believe I like the method you show with the sand paper lined arcs best.

[@zeNUKEify]

something bout a sphere is just so satisfying

[@HeroicCrew]

I sat here for 15 minutes and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't turn it off. You are a wood demon lord Sam! I was supposed to be watching metal turning but this made my day! I would like to comment on the perfect shape of the sphere! I think the perfect shape is a Dolphin! You tried that?!? Niall, pleased fan!

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Dolphins are pretty cool. I will have to try that. I sometimes watch vid's on metal lathes, now that is cool. And I like pottery wheels. Now that is mesmerizing.....Sam

[@ac304104]

That's quite the clever method. Thanks for sharing!

[@jolox.]

Really interesting process! I'm new to the lathe, but hope one day to try this! Thanks for the inspiration! Wyoming is a beautiful state btw! Keep up the good work!

[@sarafae]

Thanks for the video. I just learned about wood turning maybe an hour ago - didn't even know the proper name for it until I came across your video - and I'm really interested in it. I love how it looks like the wood just melts away when you're scraping, like clay.

[@acelocksmith2320]

well done sir, thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@yuvallahav]

I've been turning spheres for a while now, using nothing but my eyes to shape them, and then explaining to questioning people that it's hand made, not by a rig, hence the not so perfect roundness, although I do come close, but seeing how you did it, I'm inspired and I'm going to try this out, I love geometric forms (there was a video of a guy turning a doughnut shaped bowl/open form from a huge piece of Oak, it's just hypnotic to watch, and a pleasure to see the result), so thanks for the really great advice... I've been thinking of making some turning videos of my own, if I'll video record my experience, I'll post it as a response to yours, with my thanks! Keep up the good work, I find your videos a pleasure to watch and most educational!

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Thanks, Turning a ball is not easy and a good exercise for practicing skills. If you saw Alan Stratton's video----he really does it freehand and has such a nice cut around the sphere. Keep it up and I would love to see your first video. Some of my early ones are "really" fun to watch. It is nice to see where one has been. Sam

[@mgorrow]

Sam, I am just getting around to viewing this video. It is an excellent video for those who have not turned spheres.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

thanks for watching, Sam

[@thewoodman6039]

great Sam. I appreciate you sharing this. Now I want to make one but hollow it for a lidded box. Oh no.. How do you do that..? I sure you can help. Thanks

[@smokefaerie]

Awesome - loved watching this video and have taken away some great tips. Thanks

[@guybreysse3456]

Very good video. Thanks to you I am here today to make my first sphere. Thank you so much for sharing your great experience

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Guy My first sphere was not perfect.....I just called it an egg. It was the perfect egg.

[@TrevorDennis100]

I searched for wooden sphere turning because I want to make them for the ends of a vise handle. I'd been imagining all sorts of complex jigs and was resigned to having to make them, but this is so much easier. In my case the sheres will obviously be a lot smaller, and I'll be making a cylindrical hole on one side for the handle, but I might resort to using the metal lathe to chuck them up for that bit.

[@nicolasbusse]

Awesome work. Good teaching skills

[@BEElaine1008]

That is a clever idea! Even if you didn’t invent it...if you came up with it, not having seen it before...that’s awesome! And I love the pun at the end!

[@MrCedad]

The project demonstrates great innovative skills for turning. Thanks

[@elmerbback3854]

Skittles, Croquette, lots of uses, very skilled machining work

[@BurlSource]

Very enjoyable and informative video. Thank You for taking the time to film and share this.

[@jeffoldham3466]

sam this is a keeper,,,man it helped me a lot,,,im going to to try your method,,lol,,I need all this help on turning a sphere,,and you simplified this great,,lol,,especially for me!!!!

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Thanks Sam

[@stephensano9156]

Nice job. I especially like the chalk and jig for exposing the high spots. You barely had any turning to do once you shifted the axis from the initial shaping.

[@peterbrownwastaken]

This method is much better than what I've been doing! I might have to buy a set of calipers...

[@kenzofinn5782]

sorry to be offtopic but does anyone know of a tool to get back into an instagram account? I was stupid lost the account password. I appreciate any tips you can give me!

[@lochlanseth9092]

@Kenzo Finn instablaster :)

[@kenzofinn5782]

@Lochlan Seth Thanks for your reply. I got to the site on google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now. Seems to take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@kenzofinn5782]

@Lochlan Seth it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thanks so much, you saved my account!

[@lochlanseth9092]

@Kenzo Finn happy to help :)

[@ultraliskalistar8853]

"nothing to sphere but sphere itself" made me lose it lol

[@vileguile4]

Amazing work!

[@rustypanels1917]

Hi Sam, I've recently started turning a few spheres, they came out OK. But after watching your method, my next ones will be much better. I love the diagonal measuring and the chalk/sanding method to find high spots. I have just subscribed, and sure I will learn a lot from your video's. Well done. Regards Shayne......

[@DiickYesterday]

that is a beautiful piece of work!

[@andybradyhypnosis]

Really nice work and some great lessons. Thank you.

[@TheAsianian]

I can't believe I just watched a 15 minute video on a guy making a sphere out of wood...And did I mention its 4 in the morning...

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

+He WhoShallNotBeNamed If I can't put you to sleep, nothing will......

[@jakefake9870]

bro i am with you on that its 4:44 am right now where i am at, wow the timing!

[@charliesymons1409]

jake fake 11months time difference if you look at the time he posted the comment you dimwit

[@thomasstenbom2971]

I'm Not Called Albino Panther

[@thomasstenbom2971]

L I Morgon

[@mmariokart231]

I LOVE puns! And awesome sphere! Subscribed!

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Thanks for watching, Sam

[@victorvillanueva3240]

Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing.

[@orignialsaansi]

Awesome and loved the Franklin Roosevelt quote, keep up the great work

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

gMUNDO Vargas Thanks Sam

[@HamiltonSurrey]

I have made a good few of these over the years using not dissimilar techniques but none have passed the acid test! For it to be a perfect sphere it has roll along a flat surface without any wayward movement. Have you made a good sphere or a perfect sphere? Just another 15 seconds need adding to the video to show the acid test:)

[@ggk9955]

keep up the good work Sam

[@karenlaughing3530]

Back in the day, how do some of these butheads (asking why would you do that) they think they had crochet balls made. Makes them sorta dumb huh! Beautiful work. i love them. Thanks for sharing.

[@Stellarspace95]

Perfect for Christmas tree ornaments if you ask me. Say you turned different types of wood/colours to make one sphere that would be neat

[@thrd4me]

Hi there I am new to machining and things of the nature and I was just wonder are there different kinds of lathes for different materials such as wood or metal, in my manufacturing class we have one lathe and I have seen it be used for metal and wood. Do we just have a "middle ground" lathe or is a lathe a lathe?

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

There are wood lathes and metal lathes. They are different. There is no lathe that does both well----that I know of. I suppose there are metal lathes that would do wood, but not easily. Sam

[@thrd4me]

WYOMINGWOODTURNER Thanks for replying and explaining

[@NoahSpurrier]

The Tetrahedron... I suppose wood turning has nothing to offer this problem, but you said after the perfect shape, the sphere, that maybe you'd try a pyramid. Those are not difficult to shape and are not that interesting geometrically, but tetrahedrons are much more interesting. Although they seem like they shouldn't be much more difficult than a pyramid, I've never managed to make one that wasn't a bit off to the naked eye. If you have any tips on shaping this or any of the other four Platonic solids I would appreciate any tips or pointers to guides that describe how to make construct them. Thank you for this video. It was helpful. The chalk and sandpaper method to mark high spots was the most helpful.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Noah I think I remember saying I should try a pyramid.......I think. But a pyramid is not round, it would turn out more like a cone. But I was not serious. You can't turn anything with facets on it like a tetrahedron or a platonic solid without doing lots of work off the lath making the facets. I enjoy such various shapes that may start on the lathe and once they are complete....then you can't tell they were ever on the lathe. I just don't want to do that kind of work. Thanks for some interesting ideas. Sam

[@tommyschutz9008]

Excellent job! you make it look so easy. I've tried, I know, it isn't that simple. I am having difficulty in the different steps, but it will only take some practice, and I'll get it down. I have a couple of questions though. After I get it pretty much rounded, I wanted to make those templates you used in your video, that you made on your band saw, then added sandpaper, and removed the chalk. Do I need to have a circle cutter to do that with? Talk soon, By tha way thanks for all your videos. I watch them all the time.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Tommy Schutz To get the jig perfect, yes. But I think if you draw a circle with a compass, you could get it just as good. Sam

[@Kapok6]

awesome vid. thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Kapok6 You are welcome Sam

[@vanessarayfox]

Very cool video. Thank you for sharing your talent!

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

vanessa ray Thanks very much for watchingSam

[@Bigpoppanotorius]

+WYOMINGWOODTURNER very interesting concept

[@toonet3272]

I got sawdust in my eyes just watching this video! Great turning sir, keep it up.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Teno Bal Thanks for watching Sam

[@colddose9636]

Thx for the video, its nice piece of decoration, I like your simple techniques....worth it to watch n learn

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Thanks for watching Sam

[@ginopunsalan]

This is brilliant.

[@legotechniccreations6630]

Wow that's amazing. Great work.

[@TheMajHavoc]

nice work, I enjoyed that

[@sofiadragon1979]

That is too cool I can't wait till I get good enough to do something like that.

[@gabrielc6252]

11:10 the technique makes sense, but I doubt that the object will not end up off-center when it's positioned in the cups. Ideally a sphere should be done without un-mounting and re-mounting the piece

[@bennymac62]

this guy was my guidance counselor in middle school. really good guy.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Ben, thanks for watching the video. It's nice to hear from you. And thanks for the nice comment later Sam

[@claraluciaobelenis]

It´s such satisfying to watch this.... Thanks!

[@ErikAnderson1]

Great tutorial Sam

[@benjabens2058]

thank u for the chalk method sam!

[@tarap5618]

Great video on making spheres!! Just started turning a sphere with the hopes that eventually it'll become a hollowed out wooden baseball when I'm done. It looks more like an egg at the moment. Crazy question-- Would I have to dry it like a bowl for a month to avoid cracking since it'll be hollowed out some? Thank you!!

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Yes I think for your project you should rough turn it and let it sit for 1-2 months. Your baseball would really be like a lidded box. I have taken to drying all my boxes. I have had too many fail. Sam

[@concretecullen]

Just getting back into wood turning after ten years away from it, living in florida, can u recommend a good lathe for under a $1000?? my last was a record lathe when i lived in europe I was thinking one of the following:- Shop Fox W1758 16" x 43" Wood Lathe 12" x 20" BAILEIGH® Bench Top Wood Lathe: WL-1220VS Any suggestions would help.... Awesome Vid, Thank you..

[@ShelbDood]

I want one of these... This was so neat.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

+Shelby Mason Thanks for watching....Sam

[@pointer2null]

Would you method be improved if your sanding jig wasn't a radius, but more like a caliper? Easier to make and would still locate high spots. Will def try when I'm a little more experience and slight less ham fisted (or my sphere may even come out square lol).

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Your idea is interesting. With the radius I use, it floats on the high spots and marks those high spot. I have sandpaper glued to the inside which sands the high sports. It is like a block plane cutting the peaks and leaving the valleys until the surface is smooth. Sam

[@maxderman447]

I was thinking of applications for wooden spheres. Is there anything practical or does it just go as far as bedpost toppers?

[@davidcrowe1568]

Max B ;) ‘)m

[@joelb2297]

Someone might ask 'why' make a wooden sphere or bearing... did you know that one of the hardest, most dense wood called "Lignum Vitae" was used to make WOODEN SHAFTS GUIDES and BALL BEARINGS for the first nuclear submarine (USS Nautilus) and other marine/maritime use? It was (and possibly, still?) used for propeller shaft bearings have been used in conventional ships, and for moving shaft parts hydroelectric plants. Resistant to both fresh and saline waters, and its natural oils provide a natural lubricant for the component...

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

And....Lignum was also used for block and tackle on the old Tall sailing ships. Yep, great wood and really very pretty. Sam

[@hawkeye10100]

Nothing to Sphere but Sphere itself. That was funny. LOL

[@manuelantoniogiraldovargas306]

buen trabajo cual seria el soporte de las bolas para que no se rueden puestas en una superficie planas saludos desde colombia gracias

[@ManMythLegend123]

That bow and arrow joke cracked me up 😂

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

I can't remember which joke that was, but thanks.

[@stringmanipulator]

Very nice work as always :) that's a lot harder to do than one might think .. I liked the idea with those templates and the chalk .. great idea .. thanks for sharing this.. you have a good one :)

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Thanks Sam

[@tommyschutz9008]

Thanks. Your video was very good. It gave me great confidence to go out and turn a sphere on my lathe. However I had difficulty and I kept making the sphere smaller and smaller, when I was actually trying to get a 3" sphere. Oh well, I'll keep practicing, and maybe I'll start with 5" to turn it down to 3", lol

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

+Tommy Schutz Yes we all have that problem from time to time. I still turn too much wood off a project so I end up with a smaller item Sam

[@chiefjian]

spreading knowledge excelent it was a verry good seminar have a good day

[@chrislusbytaylor3197]

To ensure that your semicircular chalk-scraper is only going to rub high spots, I think you should take more care to hold it perpendicular to the sphere. 11:20 I don't think the cups are too big. The bigger the better in terms of holding the sphere accurately centered. They look perfect to me. 14:20 There is no need to reverse the lathe for sanding anything you can turn end-for-end, such as a sphere. But it may help direct the sawdust, perhaps. Thanks for an interesting video. By the way, another way I've been taught is to mark the center with a thin line, then mark lines either side at 0.207 times the diameter from it. Use these as the limits of the 45 degree cones that are your first cuts. But I also like your way of using calipers to test that the cuts are the correct distance apart.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Chris, on your first point....If the semicircular chalk scraper is the same radius/diameter of the sphere then I can hold it perpendicular. I can simply angle it a bit so the entire half circle contacts the sphere. otherwise I have to make one to perfectly match the sphere. I don't care that much about these spheres being so accurate. If I wanted accuracy I would buy one of those sphere jigs......which I won't do. I often sanding with the lathe in reverse because i can keep my hands on top of the piece-it is more comfortable for me. Sam

[@JDeWittDIY]

Nice job on the sphere!

[@MystikAzn4vr]

What was the total time it took to complete the whole process if you didn't have to explain the video and only had to get it done sooner?

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

+Viet Nguyen Good question I could get this done, including sanding and finishing in 1 1/2 hour. Sam

[@robertocoiante1981]

Ciao Sam, come vedi a distanza di tempo c'è sempre qualcuno interessato ai tuoi lavori, Vorrei sapere come hai creato quel mezzo arco che ritengo sia il negativo della sfera, sicuramente si dovrà utilizzare un compasso; è possibile saperne di più Grazie Sam

[@itrick3y903]

that's pretty freaking cool.

[@mtabernig]

ok, interesting. What do you do with them....Just asking.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Well that is a very good question. It's like, why does a guy climb a mountain? I have never really thought about it other than turning a ball is cool. As far as wood turning, it is a more difficult piece to turn. They can be turned out of A green log or a fine piece of exotic hardwood. Which is a great way to show off the grain. We have a few sitting around our house and my wife likes to use them for something to display. Thanks Sam