Woodturning the Eye

I have wood turned a human eye. The white of the eye is maple composed of 10 segmented rings. The iris is cherry, birch, and walnut in a fine segmented ring. The pupil is a piece of ebony. I made the iris ring then trued it up on the CNC router to a circle to fit perfectly into the maple white of the eye. I made two irises and put one on each side of the eye. This way I could have two eyes with one eyeball. I turned the eye on the lathe using a method of turning where one turns each of the 3 axes of the eye. This process of turning each axis is repeated in the same order until a perfect sphere is formed. The finish I used was 2 layers of lacquer for a bottom coat. Then I added a top coat of 2 layers of wax. This brought out the contrast in the Iris but did not darken the maple. It gave the eye a nice shine like it is wet.
Some of the tools used in this project
CNC: www.cncrouterpa...
wood turning tools: carterandsontoo...
Cantilever Clamps: amzn.to/1TJmAFx
KANT TWIST Quick Acting Fixture Clamp: amzn.to/1TJn2DP
Milwaukee Small Angle Grinder: amzn.to/2p0G16h
Milwaukee Close Quarter Drill: amzn.to/1sj7bGj
Milwaukee 18-volt Compact Drill: amzn.to/1sj855F
Whiteside Spiral Bit with Up Cut Solid Carbide 1/2-Inch Diameter: amzn.to/1TJmHRj
Whiteside Router Bits Compression 1/4-Inch: amzn.to/2pV9ouk
Oshlun 8-1/2-Inch Negative Hook Finishing ATB Saw Blade :amzn.to/1TJmTQJ
Freud 8-1/2-Inch Saw Blade ://amzn.to/2qtNTfT
Amana 16 Inch Saw Blade: amzn.to/2n34xVN
Wixey WR410 8-Inch Digital Protractor: amzn.to/28MW6hb
Wixey WR300 Digital Angle Gauge: amzn.to/1UfwoID
FastCap Glu-Bot Glue Bottle: amzn.to/1TJn0vq
3M Peltor H10A Optime 105 Earmuff: amzn.to/1sj80iw
3M Reusable Respirator: amzn.to/2cGwyPL
3M Particulate Filter P100: amzn.to/2bYwhaK
Oneway Stronghold chuck: amzn.to/1VViyjO
To see upcoming projects follow me on social media
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/ frank.howarth
Twitter
/ frankhowarth
Facebook
/ frankmakes
G+
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[@workshop_edits]

My god I want your shop. Also your video production is outstanding (as always)

[@sleeptyper]

Without his skill, the shop would be useless.

[@workshop_edits]

Of course, his woodworking is top notch as well. Doesn't change how badly I want his shop!

[@doublebulbing]

+sleeptyper skill comes from doing and having your machines all set up in a place to do it allows it to happen

[@sleeptyper]

marble head Exactly, your machines that you have chosen based on your skills. Frank's shop has evolved from his workflow, his demands for machinery and photography et cetera. Now, someone else could do well in Frank's shop, but reaching the same awesome level of Frank would demand years of doing and ... evolving the shop. For example it took me ~4 years to learn my tool (crane truck) to rise from simply pulling the crane levers and avoiding damage to doing micromoves without even looking at the levers. That crane doesn't have a remote controller.

[@StMoritzGuitars]

Check out Franks video on building the shop !

[@jeannafolmarful]

Everything about this was so fascinating! Also the editing! Was A+.

[@mugglesnap6656]

agree wt u

[@randywright7933]

Your video production is always amazing. Always a pleasure to watch

[@حسامالماجيك-ث8ت]

Hi, I can subscribe to my channel

[@حسامالماجيك-ث8ت]

What do you mean?

[@Guru_1092]

I love your little stop-motion bits. Also, is that a SNES controller you're using at 10:57? Nice.

[@aceenterprise]

While I'm not Frank (nor do I know him, but was fascinated by this project as well), I believe it's shaped like a SNES controller, but is actually a controller that has a USB cable. The controller part is speculation. What I do recognize for sure though, is that he's using the controller to jog the position of the CNC router, which I've seen guys use controllers or wireless mini keyboards to jog the position. Also, a long time ago, I had a controller made by Gravis that similar shaped, but was 15-pin for the old PC joystick ports.

[@SimplyStuart94]

that eye was a lot bigger than i was expecting

[@odavenport7smal]

Stuart Smiles :D I find that a fair few of his projects are.

[@probably4943]

Stuart Smiles :D I thought that it was smaller than it was too

[@pappy451]

Stuart Smiles :D ... me too . was a neat surprise .

[@dontaewilliams1847]

Stuart Smiles :D luffy!

[@Noactualdirection]

Wow, normally I have no patience at all with these long videos. I sat through the whole thing mesmerised, I'm in, another subscriber you have Sir. Amazing skills.

[@802Leith]

Wanna See what Frank made? Wood Eye! Wood EYE!

[@Tjita1]

Oh come on.. :'D

[@dustysparks]

I see what he did there, and it's perfect punishment :D

[@jenniferwhite6089]

that was a eye deal to see wonder if the need glasses lol wonder they get the own private eye show how an eye on you not a screw ball just a eye ball

[@joshuadefibaugh3634]

Go home.

[@frankmakes]

ha ha!

[@000Mazno000]

Your editing is great, the pace of the construction is perfect, and the narration and little tidbits you add (like the stop motion at around 5:20) make it really interesting to watch.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Eye see what you did there.

[@jenniferwhite6089]

they are looking right at you too

[@maxximumb]

It's like they follow you round the video.

[@Sharpman76]

This guy is a visionary woodturner.

[@__anonymous__6674]

NightHawkInLight HAHA that is Punny

[@chinganeer2337]

this is a no dad joke comment section, please go

[@ShlisaShell]

Looks like you worked just as hard on this video as you did your project. I liked the editing and stop motion. Big thumbs up. Thanks for making this so interesting and entertaining.

[@SatanicJamnic]

It may be the first eyeball made of a wood with this amount of detail. This is pure art dude. This should be in a Art gallery.

[@wazzap500]

SatanicJamnic I actually agree. A really nice sculpture.

[@DaveHenderson95]

100% gallery worthy

[@InspireWoodcraft]

Frank, I've known of you for a long time and followed you on Instagram, but I've never taken the time to watch one of your videos. This. Was. AMAZING! The instruction. The narration. The build. The production value. All superb! Looks like I've been missing out and have a lot of catching up to do! - Cheers, Jodee

[@account505]

This is absolutely stunning Frank! What struck me as well is that normally your projects come to life nearer the end of the project but this thing looked awesome before you even really started the lathe work.

[@cleverdarkelve]

Incredible! I am not a woodworker myself but love the craft! My dad recommended your channel and I’m glad he did. You are a talented craftsman, a calm explainer of things and an artist when it comes to video production. Well done sir!

[@macf4426]

You are a great teacher Frank, and now you have a couple more pupils ;)

[@nyloaf]

Dont worry that it wasnt perfectly a sphere, eyes arent perfect either! Theyre actually slightly egg-shaped 🍳

[@fizizy6415]

This was really satisfying to watch

[@maryjoroman2233]

Fizizy m

[@maryjoroman2233]

Amazing work

[@حسامالماجيك-ث8ت]

Hi, I can subscribe to my channel

[@therealme5932]

Completely agree. It was relaxing to listen to his voice as well!

[@deanlee437]

Fizizy your comment is horrible ly ggooddddddddd

[@Todomo]

The stop motion thoughhh

[@AndrewPetzold]

That Sound of the eye moving is gross!! haha

[@frankmakes]

it is almost halloween

[@AndrewPetzold]

frank howarth cnc some grave stones w/ some inlays or something

[@streetDAOC]

stop being a pusc

[@jonaskolousek2471]

Andrew Petzold what are you fuuckin WHEy prot ein bars

[@AndrewPetzold]

Jonas Kolousek what??

[@stevenstewart3414]

What a great project! And beautiful results! You made a wonderful eye and a great video! I love the stop action. (There's a lot of work involved just in doing that!) Thanks for a fabulous video!

[@montanamike53]

Now every ophthalmologist and optometrist in the world will want one for their office! lol You'll be very busy.... ^.^

[@nylepf]

I'm an optometrist and the entire time watching this I kept thinking how I need a bigger lathe so I could attempt this. Seems like a business expense. :)

[@jefftrag1956]

I do not see how 500 people could give this a thumbs down. I bet not one of them ever made a big wood eye on a lathe.

[@FalenAnjel2]

There will always be internet trolls out there.

[@ShopSDB]

I have never made a big wood eye on a lathe, but still i would not dare to give it a thumbs down. It's great! I wish I had the skills to do something like this (and the machinery).

[@sylvestermarete9059]

You can't impress everybody in this world.

[@shaneknerr7030]

I have done my fair share of lathe work. 20 plus years ago in high school, in woodshop we had a computer lathe. At the time computers were not a big thing. So of course I didn't know much about them, so it was all about the grafted, X-Y congruence. It was very difficult, everything had to be spot on, and if not the lathe WOULD NOT START. So that being said, ANYTHING on a lathe, esp. Bowls, is not only difficult but also VERY DANGEROUS. So anybody who gives a thumbs down or has a negative comment about this video, is an absolute jealous IDIOT. And has no appreciation for hardwork, creativity, or the skill set that it takes to achieve the final product. THAT IS THE EYE.

[@jamesniess2485]

Your wood working shop is amazing 🤯👍🇺🇸.your skills are amazing 👍👍👍👍

[@LuisSilva-tq9sj]

This is becoming a fucking huge problem to me guys!!! Amazing woodworkers with amazing editing skills and phenomenal knowledge & shocking tips!!!... So I have to subscrive to all of you & instead of working I just spend hours after hours watching video after video and thinking to myself... Oh, that's great, I have to try that... let's just see another video & I'll start right away...

[@lignumchannel]

Beautiful, real joy to watch..

[@marceaton3128]

Eye love it.

[@merijnvanveenendaal]

Marc Eaton mygawd

[@skeletormaster7365]

Im amazed! I just found this channel; the editing is 10/10, I don't know anything about wood workshops but I know that planning that must've been complicated, so organized, smart, great video!

[@florianderop2955]

If you do all the production on this video yourself, you truly are a master of two arts.

[@leifj653]

I'm a woodworker for profession myself, and like you I do enjoy to use traditional methods combined with the help from the cnc-router. The result with the eye is nothing less then fantastic. You really have a truly artistic talent. You inspired me to make a movie of a project, maybe in the future. ☺️ Thanks for the inspiration!

[@DJMankiewicz]

Anybody catch the SNES controller for cnc machine control??

[@Makedeth]

Yep! Thats awesome :D

[@anderswegge6828]

It's been with the CNC machine, ever since the home built one. It's an easy way of getting the exact controls needed.

[@boristhebilder7553]

Yeah, because being that far from the wood project is where it's at!

[@camillokessler1323]

What the Fuck so much expendicture for one video fantastic!!!!!

[@RichardBanke]

So tell me Frank, how long exactly have you been a wizard?

[@denishuber7758]

this was so satisfying to watch... its also nice to see when there is someone who can explain his moves and steps in the production..end result is stunning....awesome job...you got a sub !

[@silvermaple7779]

Absolutely gorgeous, your next lathe project.....planet earth! Thanks for sharing & have a great day.

[@jenniferwhite6089]

ear to say

[@frankmakes]

That would be a good project and a challenge, too.

[@silvermaple7779]

frank howarth Agreed it would be difficult for sure, but if anyone can pull it off it would be you. Can't wait to see your next project, (no matter what it is) you never disappoint. Thanks for the reply & have a great day!

[@browndog9402]

He should do a half scale planet earth and we can send all the people there that didnt like this video.

[@TRUMPLocalWallBuildersUnion]

frank howarth Make it Flat , Frank ... Like it is in real life ! #FlatEarth 😸 hehehe

[@uniqko]

Saya suka karya anda Karya anda menginspirasi saya....🙏

[@yngwie66]

Your assistant looks familiar. Is he related?

[@TheOneWhoMightBe]

Denis Minuz You notice how he never does any actual work, though? ;)

[@tinderbox218]

I love how you go to the trouble of making all the little animations :)

[@Hubbmade]

No words come to mind for how brilliant this is. The amount of work, talent, and (no pun intended) vision, leave me in awe of what you create, Frank. Thank you for sharing!

[@Honor_and_Steel]

Sir, this may be one of my new favorite channels. This was the first video of yours that I've watched and I am very impressed. You do a fantastic job of explaining the entire process. Also, I normally can't fall asleep watching videos, but this was so well done and so calm sounding that you could probably also market your channel as an ASMR channel if you wanted to lol

[@LylWren]

The dark ring around the outside of the eye is called the "Limbal Ring" and it is basically the border between your cornea and your sclera. Younger people tend to have larger Limbal rings, although it is not always the case.

[@frankmakes]

Thanks for the info!

[@ProtonSniper]

This is one of the most amazing things I've seen in my life and the video editing is as amazing as the project.

[@davidkuhns8389]

That is one of your coolest projects, ever.

[@TheRagamuffinsong]

😳 You should make an ebony/resin eye of Sauron. I’m such a geek... LOL

[@shahalismaximus]

Hope Michaud Weller yes! That would be awesome!! Paired with a mini or half tower from a metal working channel or something. That would be a cool collaboration.

[@jakeweisenberger]

@@shahalismaximus the ideas just keep getting better!

[@Craftlngo]

another great woodworker did it a while ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIKre5qpjNVngtE

[@greenkitty6482]

Spectacular!!

[@gotmunchiez]

Green Kitty or Spectocular

[@isky.h]

"Axes" is plural, "axis" is singular. Bothers me in your videos haha. I love your content, keep it up!

[@MrDonkrypton]

Making an eye is the best way to show that you're really focused on your work.

[@macf4426]

He never loses sight of his goals ;)

[@ankeet1]

Those little animations and image overlays are awesome! I couldn't do any woodwork for the life of me, but watching you do so I just so amazing! Also, your admission when you made errors helps others realize the pitfalls to avoid!

[@TheBearDenPhotography]

Absolutely Brilliant!

[@patrickcole7403]

my mans has the editing skills

[@shiroesshop602]

He's not your man, so shut the fuck up

[@gfotinakes316]

Wow! What a perfect package of woodworking, instruction, and videography

[@kobiekaasjager4822]

Mr Howarth that eye is fantastic, every time I watch someone making something I am amazed at the awesome and stunning colours of wood.

[@travwilson281]

Awesome ... yet again. You’re gonna make a TIE-fighter for May the Fourth, aren’t you? I called it. 🤣🤣🤣

[@frankmakes]

Maybe, I do like TIE fighters.

[@Simple5.0]

Your stop motion is so fluid. I don’t even want to imagine how small each movement is.

[@MegaTopdogs]

What a beautiful project , awesome Frank wow !!!

[@gusjohnnson9641]

Hey, I just recently found your channel. Your videos are so good, and so is your woodworking. I think I found my new favorite youtube channel.

[@doubledarefan]

Instead of making a 2-sided eyeball, you should have made 2 more maple bowls, so you would have a pair of eyes. Since you only have 1, build an eye patch, and do some kind of pirate thing.

[@devvvvvvvvvvvv]

Yea, and then build a body for it, then teach it how to use the internet, then tell it how to make stupid comments on youtube.

[@doubledarefan]

Comments like "Why, Frank, did you teach me to make stupid comments on KZbin, instead of teaching me to do stop-motion animation?".

[@mixtube797]

Devin Chaves Savage😂

[@struckfire3337]

I thought he should have had the top eye as a lid for the boul bottom eye.

[@jakepalmieri2356]

dude your editing skills are insane! its like a TV SHOW! Great job!

[@MonacoMike]

OMG Frank ... I don't know how you're ever going to be able to top this one! ... project and video processing both ! Great great job BTW: Pool cue stick makers use a lot of Ebony and other exotic woods. They might be a good source of info for types of finish.

[@frankmakes]

I will look into that. Thanks!

[@MonacoMike]

I believe they use a very thin down lacquer and put multiple coats on. I would give you a name but tow of my friends who were the top cue makers around when I was hanging with the crowd have passed away. Gus Zamboti's son has taken over his business. I have his number somewhere and if you're really interested I could look it up for you.

[@Ernzt8]

That is a lot of work... great project though!

[@Omegadoomship]

That is one of the coolest wood turning projects I've seen yet! Keep the sawdust flying, buddy!

[@supernovacentury]

My 4 year old insisted on seeing this as it randomly came up as a suggestion. Boy, were we glad! Absolutely inspiring and beautiful work.

[@chemcody5119]

Way cool Frank! I would love to have a bowling ball that looks like this!

[@kenmanly7562]

I thought the EXACT same thing...!

[@This123Girl]

i feel like he's the only wood turning guy i'd watch with talking cause his voice is so soothing, and your narrative is clear. Love everything about this.

[@wanderlust101]

You *outdid* yourself... again.

[@حسامالماجيك-ث8ت]

Hi, I can subscribe to my channel

[@Laughing__Emoji__]

you sure can buddy.

[@xxxbrandedreviews5505]

You do not sound anything like the way you look. You sound like a 20 something. And this video is amazing! Subscribed!!!

[@SpecificLove7]

That is amazing work

[@elliott7568]

The vision it takes to make these items are so deep, I'm just amazed by the process and how it all comes together, and not to mention the accuracy and perfection of the items.

[@morgangabrielle6317]

It looks like you got a new camera or lens or put a filter on the video... looks nice. I love how creative you are, not only in your woodwork but with you camera angles and editing. So much attention to detail! The best woodworker on KZbin in my opinion.

[@frankmakes]

I have been using for the last few months a 24mm F1.4 lens

[@mishkamoosh4972]

This video is a work of art! The love and skill you put into the piece you created and your production is AMAZING!

[@TiaraFerguson]

Video production is killer.

[@dawnp2534]

10:56 did you hook up a snes controller to control your CNC?

[@locohombre79]

Phenomenal! Now this is probably a tacky idea, but, how about Padauk string inlays for blood vessels?

[@KSFWG]

Maybe use bloodwood for blood shot eyes? lol

[@locohombre79]

KSFWG dang it, why didn’t I think of that!? Hahaha

[@KSFWG]

The same reason I see a video and someone has made some "one off" one time use jig to accomplish a task easily that I'd had been struggling for weeks to get done. lol

[@illustr8rjoe]

Some threads in the shellac would work

[@Slime6r]

Your work is amazing. I have never known someone who is so good at woodworking, animation, video editing, and cnc

[@TheWoodLab]

So well done Frank! If someone asked me if I liked the project or the video editing better, I'd just say "yes". - Jim

[@Elegant_Owl]

Tommy Kavanaugh Took a quick look at his channel and he makes videos, guessing this is someone else or him writing it, since he probably has an editor or something.

[@ExploringAlabama]

Fascinating, absolutely fascinating

[@robinellis4779]

With the extra ring you ha you could have made it into a box with a removable lid to keep sweets in

[@frankmakes]

Eye candy

[@ibenb.4767]

wow frank wow hahahahahaa

[@pault8470]

How much is one of these to purchase . Outstanding work

[@daviddickmeyer5231]

A joy to watch you work!

[@llamachickenpoop]

A new Frank Howarth video that's 22 minutes long? And it's got the potential for great puns? What more could you ask for!

[@MrGeorge0285]

At this point, eye can't ask for anything more.

[@freespeech6579]

Eye don't know.

[@doogie64]

Eye wood answer but Iris k ringing as too punny,. What wood you dew?

[@Ziggy695]

Ok, this is incredible. Awesome work shop and incredibly well put together video. Great work!

[@CammiesGarage]

Amazing work! Well done.

[@AppelmoesArtandPhotography]

Love your work, and also the little details of your video editing, like the stop motion parts 👍🏽

[@petrino]

does it bounce?

[@blues0006]

Petrino It could bounce but only once

[@PennsPens]

Hey Frank. I finally decided have a go and made an eyeball with some super cool modifications... After watching this vid over and over for the last 6 years. I upgraded and inserted a 1080 high definition tiny long/spout camera with a wifi bank, battery, etc. The camera lense fits on the inside through the center of ebony section of the iris. I also made thin supper clear resin cover which covers the lense that provides a smooth external finish, and because the camera lense is black you really have to look hard to detect the it even there. The eye section has a rebated box join around the center band that fits really tightly together without detection, but can be gently prized open to access camera parts and battery to recharge. I entered the eye in our New Zealand nation wide woodturning exhibition, also had a tablet screen connected in the table next to it so people could actually see themselves looking at eye - was so funny, I wish I'd recorded it. It caused so much attention, it became a huge talking point in the gallery, I was blown away. Also had piece of paper on the table with your KZbin channel written on it. The exhibition organizers said I should have entered the national woodturners gallery for a prize award. They all recon I'd likely have won the show... sadly though I was unaware of that event, and the rules state all items that enter the woodturning show / prize award, aren't allowed to have been entered or shown in any other event prior - darn it, cause the winning prize was 10k... even 3rd prize was half that. Thanks for the inspiration towards giving different items a go. The lathe for many is achievable - even if viewers have to join a woodturning club to do so... HOWEVER, Unfortunately all your fancy machinery has lost touch with reality and cuts most woodrworkers out of the loop of being able to try it... I'd like to see a bit of both from your channel - food for thought. Anyway - Keep safe ✌️

[@joshpittman1982]

Still love the SNES controlled CNC.

[@ttinney]

Mr.Howarth you’re amazing, your video production is top notch and your very skilled!!! You definitely need more subscribers! Stay awesome!!!!

[@davidvandemeer5118]

Death Star is the next logical step ;-)

[@detsuh]

David Van De Meer David Van De Meer he did one a year or so ago. I know because it’s one of my kids’ favorite videos. They’ve made me play it for them thousands of times.

[@Smurphenstein]

Love your work, love your workshop and love your editing skills. Love to get into woodturning now too but I think I would get better results just watching this channel so I will just subscribe.

[@CreativityHero]

This project is absolutely amazing! And the video is fantastic!

[@GoldenTV3]

Your shop must've costed so much. Tens of thousands! How did you afford it all?

[@aidinhendriks4820]

GoldenTV3 I’m not him but I’m assuming he either owns it with a bunch of people or he slowly built it up over time buying something new every year or so

[@mactriz5411]

Wow great job ;-)

[@gracegittinger9596]

The editing, the talent. You even added in stop motion. This video was incredible. Amazing job.

[@stevenmarsh7138]

Engage Safety Squints

[@dannypiper383]

Im not sure if you are a better woodworker our videographer, both outstanding

[@SianaRose]

Every time he says Iris I pop up. Because that's my name

[@SianaRose]

😭😭

[@diowk]

i didnt realize dogs have started watching youtube; or commenting at that.

[@jetison333]

@@diowk dogs?

[@shanegoes5778]

@@jetison333 probably his dogs name.

[@sylvestermarete9059]

Wow!! Now that's what we call sorcery!! The planning itself must have been very very complicated!!

[@krishiyer3990]

Amazing. Extraordinary work. You are a modern day Michelangelo 👌😊

[@RafaelAcurcio]

First time dropping by your channel... What an amazing video you've there! All the details such as the snes controller for the CNC, the stop motions, the 2 franks scenes... Amazing channel!! Keep it up! \o/

[@tonystakis8960]

Perfect, Awesome.... to the 492 people who gave a thumbs down what's wrong with you people?... this is incredible!

[@terrytyson4762]

Watched this video twice... Once for content, the other for video production. Really enjoyed both... New sub.