Popular Post Bmac Posted February 12, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 12, 2021 As you guys know I'm in the shop a lot, and as a result I generate a lot of scraps, mostly designated for the woodstove. That has always bothered me because some of the wood I burn is really nice stuff, it's just odd shaped or too small to do much with. Lately I've donated alot of my scraps to a few young budding woodworkers. This gets rid of a good amt of stuff and they are so happy to have it. But I still have that pile of wood, I'm sure we all have it, that pile of some nice pieces we hope we will find a use for in the future. Well my pile just seems to keep on growing despite my efforts to off load stuff. So a few months ago I started in earnest to look for some small projects to use some of my scraps. Since the ever popular reindeer seem to catch so much attention, I started by focusing on other animals I could make with my bandsaw or lathe. Some searches on Etsy, and I found some neat little projects. I want to make clear these are copies of things I saw that were thought of by smarter people than myself. I have no intention on selling and I hope if any of those people see this post that they will consider the quote from Oscar Wilde, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness". So here's what I've been playing with; Pengiuns, a nice addition to my reindeer herd. These were done on the lathe after a simple glue up of any dark wood and light wood. The "beak" is a 1/8th" brass rod cut and shaped; Spring Chickens, again done on the lathe, the "comb" on the top of the head is turned, cut to rough shape on the bandsaw, spindle sander to get to final shape, small vertical cuts then rasp work to make the spikes, and finally some red flocking. The "beaks" are either shaped 1/8th" kabob skewers or the shaped brass rod. These samples are turned from cherry, walnut, maple and pear; Finally, a few simple but elegant birds, cut out using a bandsaw, spindle sander to shape, and handsanding to finish. The "eyes" are nothing more than an 1/8th" hole. I'm hoping some of you out there have some simple fun projects like this to share as my "pile" is still a pile, altough slightly smaller. I've gotten into the habit of always having a few of these little projects in the works that I can play with during glueup or on finishing days. Hope this was interesting to some of you out there. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 Love those, @Bmac! Especially the elegant birds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 That's fun stuff! The birds remind me that some of those scrap lumps might be bood for carving. Of course you'd probably need to buy some carving knives and other tools. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 Great work @Bmac I’m fighting the urge to show them to my wife but I know I will and she will want some, those are cool consider the idea stolen and thanks for making more work for me 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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