Teaser of things to come...

[KurtHuhn]

I've taken on a pretty cool commission, and the below is just the first practice run:


What is it, a ball? No, turn it over...



This was spun on my wood lathe from some sheet copper. Turned out pretty well. I've never spun anything that small before....

[taharris]

OK, I'll bite.

What are you making?

And how do you spin copper on a wood lathe?
I am intrigued.

[KurtHuhn]

Metal spinning is really easy and fun - as long as you keep your wits about you and have done your research. Look at some videos on Youtube and you'll see pretty much everything you need to understand the basic process. From there it's just a matter of attention to detail. The funny part about this is that the bigger the final piece, the easier it is to do. When you're trying to make very small pieces, things get much more difficult.

And I'm not letting the cat out of the bag... yet.

[caskwith]

Probably knifey related. Is it a barrel knife? Or a pipe-hawk?

[RadDavis]

Cookware for a miniaturist?

Rad

[KurtHuhn]

I'll bet the potential market is tiny though.

[RadDavis]

I'll bet the potential market is tiny though.

Larger than you might think.

Rad

[Pooka]

A quick google on the craft revealed much potential fun and use for this stuff. Can't wait to see what you're planning.

I'm going to figure out some things to fiddle around with now...

[Philthy]

I know, I know- Got it in one!

But I aint tellin'............

[hendu3270]

Soooooooo, what was it for????

[KurtHuhn]

Ooops, I completely forgot to update this thread!

Here's the final product:

[Alan L]

Exactly what I suspected you were up to, and it came out great!

[KurtHuhn]

Thanks Alan!

And this, I promise, won't take three years and a two pounds of 5100 to break in.

http://www.pipecrafter.com/pipes/cityma ... apple1.php

[ND Pipes]

WOW!!!... this is nice... double WOW for sure....

[archaggelosmichail]

The result is amazing, well done.

Can you tell me with what tools you made it?did you buy meta spinning tools?

[KurtHuhn]

Nope - I didn't buy a single thing for this. I have metal sheet of various flavors hanging around the shop from older projects, and I just used what I had here for the rest. I 1/4" rod of tool steel that I ground to shape served as my tool, and I used some aluminum rod stock to create the form and clamping head. It is great fun, but be prepared to make some pretty poopy pieces before you get one good one.

Some observations:
- Thinner sheet is not easier to spin, as it has a tendency to tear.
- Silver is a cast iron bitch to turn.
- Small pieces are harder to spin than larger pieces.
- I would not attempt to modify an existing toolrest for this. Make or buy a new one that is specific to spinning.
- If you've gone so far as to attempt metal spinning, making your own tools is way less expensive, and not that difficult.
- Start with pewter, not copper, you dunderhead....