Turning small beads

Re: Turning small beads

John Lucas

>I'm confused. Are you talking about a donut shape with a 1/64 hole. We normally refer to beads as a raised portion on a spindle or bowl.

Re: Turning small beads

Scott Thorburn

>Doug, If you are referring to a small ball with a hole in it like a bead for a necklace. I would suggest grabbing the stock in a chuck , drilling the hole on the lathe and then turning the bead on the end of the stock. Repeat as necessary to create however many you need.

Re: Turning small beads

Russ Fairfield

>Sounds like you are referring to beads on a string. I would buy them at JoAnn's or Michael's before I would even consider turning them. They are only about 64-cents a dozen in their jewelry making supplies. Just an opinion.

Re: Turning small beads

Doug Leite

>Russ

Don't know who Joannes or Russels are,link? The fellow has a customer for Koa wood beads. I don't think that they would have them.

Thanks

Doug

Re: Turning small beads

Doug Leite

>John,

Yes,many round balls with a 1/64" hole thru, made out of Koa wood.

Aloha

Doug

Re: Turning small beads

Russ Fairfield

>Your original message didn't say anything about species. I have made a lot of wooden beads, all sizes, all species, and here is how I did it.

Take one of those 6" wide horizontal belt sanders, and put a 60 grit belt on it. Build a hopper the sits over the belt. Cut the bead stock into little cibes that are slightly larger than the finished diameter. Put some of them into the hopper, but not so many they can't jump around when the belt is running. Put a lid on it, and a brick to hold it on. Start the belt sander and run until the cubes become round balls. Guaranteed to work and all are the same diameter. Need a finer finish? Change the belt to 100, 150, and 180 grits and run with each until the surface has improved.

It isn't turning but it works.

Re: Turning small beads

Loren Brooks, Joliet Il

>I turn all my Small scarps in to beads and here is how I do it.

First: cut up blanks to size needed. ( generally I just use what little pieces i have around ) But if you want a certain size then cut up little cubes.

Second: I go to the drill press and drill the hole in the center, this dose not have to be all that accurate.

Third: I use the drill bit to drive the little blanks on the lathe. I use the drill bit back wards so the hole dose not get rounded out. Also use a scrap bead to give yourself some room from the chuck and this also enables you to turn the whole thing at once. the smaller the hole the closer you want to keep it to the head. Or you might get some whip lash.

Finally: sand and finish.

I generally never turn off the lathe and can whip them out pretty fast. My niece just love to go to the shop and make jewelry. that is why I turn them.

I hope this sounds right, If not just let me know if I need to clear anything up.

Loren

Joliet, Il

Re: Turning small beads

John Lucas

>I've done Russ's trick and it really does work. My method is to turn a cyliner of the right diameter. Insert it through my headstock and grip it in my small jaws with about 3" out. Drill the end with the bit and turn one bead cutting it off with the skew. Drill another hole and turn that bead. You can get 4 or 5 beads before you have to stop the lathe and advance the wood in the chuck.

Re: Now, that's the answer.Turning small beads

Doug Leite

>Russ,

That is the kind of answer that I was hoping for. I am sure that my friend will appreciate it.

Thank you very much.

Doug Leite

Re: Turning small beads

Doug Leite

>John,

Thanks for your input. I previously showed him that method, but I felt it was too slow to make a profit.He uses about 80 beads in a necklace and only can sell them for $20.00. Any higher and every one passes them by.

Now, Wallys method sounds very good. I'm glad that you have tried it also.

Thanks

Doug