>It seems that most woodturners are heavily involved in turning bowls or hollow forms. Since 1998, I've been playing with the Chinese Ball or Five Concentric Spheres, which are turned from a solid 2-1/2" ball. I use the Crown Chinese Ball Tools developed by David Springett.
Hepefully, I've followed the instructions properly to upload a photograph. This ball was made from maple and is finished with multiple coats of Tung Oil. The stand is walnut. The ball and stand is in Mr. Rockler's collection.
I'm always amazed by kind of work. I have Springett's book, but have never tried Chinese balls. I was just discussing yesterday with someone who had problems using these Crown tools. did you modify them to smooth the "non cutting" angles or make any other change ?
You can have a look at the work of Paul Texier, one of the best expert here for this. He uses only home-made tools, and is really fascinating.
>Yes, he has made his own tools. Those balls with so many layers are extremely well done. Looks like the one that Bonnie Klein brought back from France when she attended the French Symposium.
The Crown tools will not make more than five spheres. No, I did not modify the Crown tools. I simply don't use the tool they provide to make the tapered hole. It cuts too large of a hole for the smaller balls near the middle. I now drill the hole with an electricians step drill. I do use the Crown Tapered tool with the sides ground off, to start shaping the top of the little ball in the center. I also designed and had made a stabilized tool rest to take the stress off of the operator.
I saw one of your Chinese balls at Provo and they are amazing. I borrowed Springett's video once, however, and it put me to sleep.
The reason why I have never attempted this is because it is "too precise" for me. I don't have the patience for all the set-ups involved. I don't do segmented work for the same reason.
>I only did the 48 set ups on my first attempt. Then I got four handles. You drill a hole, Make all four cuts, and insert a plug. The result is only 12 set ups for the large holes and 20 set ups for the small holes if you add them. I use a step drill that a machinist made for me for the small holes. It is a lot of repetition, but the challenge is to get all of the way through without breaking it. I have about 30 percent failures.
>the one from Bonnie Klein was probably done by Paul: at the silent auction in this symposium, it was really funny to see a battle for one of his pieces between many world-class turners. they fought very hard to get it, and it has been sold for one of the highest price.
