Whatttzit??

[Bruce Volden]

OK,


I don't do spinney stuff but had a young man out to fix my water heater over the weekend. We got to talking and he's handy with a scrollsaw and the lathe. He was telling me about a couple of "Chinese Balls" he has made in the past. He said they are very time consuming and he had to index? them 64 times What is he talking about as I tried googling the balls and never found a picture only some tools from Packard WW? Me, not wanting to appear too stupid, just nodded as if I had a clue what he was talking about I was humbled 'cuz my 6 years of high school couldn't help out on this one, so, maybe I'm not as "smart" as I thought I was


Bruce

[Jason Hallowell]

Here is a picture of one. They can get even more complex, with 3 or more balls. I have read how to make these, but have never attempted them myself.

[Pete Jordan]

Here is an example

http://www.davidspringett.fws1.com/Wizardry.htm

[Bruce Volden]

That didn't take long!! I can't even begin to understand what step to take in a project like that? That is very interesting tho', thank you for a pic of them!!


Bruce

[Frank Chaffee]

Here is a picture of one. They can get even more complex, with 3 or more balls. I have read how to make these, but have never attempted them myself.

Trick photography.

[Reed Gray]

Fred Holder of More Woodturning Magazine also does these, sells the tools and has a book on how to do them.
robo hippy

[David Walser]

Here's a link to Craft Supplies USA's catalog page with tools and instructions on how to make Chinese balls:

http://tinyurl.com/34jzxs

I've never turned one, but unlike some types of turning, the tools to get you started don't seem all that expensive.

[Adam Bauer]

I've never turned one, but unlike some types of turning, the tools to get you started don't seem all that expensive.

They keep them cheap because they know making them you're going to get sooooo frustrated you'll be throwing them around and will be going through several sets.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Sounds like something I need to do in a couple of years when I retire.

[Skip Spaulding]

And I'm still trying to turn one good bowl! Are those craft or art?

[Randy Rhine]

Here are a few I did a couple of years ago. Technically, they are not "Chinese Balls" but the technique is similar.

randy

[John Chandler]

Nice job, Randy.