chinese balls

Re: chinese balls

The Chinese Ball tools were, at one time, available at Woodcraft and through their catalog. The tools themselves are made by Crown Hand Tools and were listed on their website as recently as six months ago. They may be available elsewhere. See the article in Woodturning Magazine, issue 68, October 1998 for further details and explanations.

I have read Springett's book on "Woodturning Wizardry" (oddly enough about three nights ago) and it seems to me that the biggest "gotcha" about using these tools is not obtaining the tools themselves, which were in the $100 price range, but rather the right kind of wood for making them. Boxwood, lemonwood, and other close grain woods of suitable density and size must first come to hand, and then you have to turn 62 millimeter spheres of this wood. You have to make the tooling yourself to make the spheres. This single point has been holding me up for about two years. I wish you the best of luck on your endeavors.

FNelson

Re: chinese balls

THANKS FREDRICK I AM GOING TO PERSUE MAKING THEM. THOUGHT THAT I MIGHT TRY TO USE SOME HARD MAPLE. TO MAKE THEM OUT OF. DON'T KNOW IF THAT WILL DO IT OR NOT IF NOT WILL HAVE TO BUY SOME BOXWOOD. TOM