Ornamental Turning

I am asking purely out of curiosity as I do not envisage ever doing any ornamental turning: is it possible to make an attachment to use on a standard lathe so that it can do ornamental turning? I am thinking more of the engine turning and jewelling than the finish with overlapping burnished circles.

Jamie.

Yes. AS a start all you need is a way of indexing the spindle - eg use your change wheels, and a small spindle to mount on the toolpost - eg a dremel drill.
Plenty of examples on the internet.

“Ornamental Turning” by T.D.Walshaw (the proper Tubal Cain,not the American one) has a chapter called ’Ornamental Turning on the Engineer’s lathe’ and is essential reading for anyone who is interested in the subject.

Or of course you can do it on a CNC mill ...

Google Rose Engine Jamie. Here’s a link for one hit.

**LINK**

The Quick Step Mill or device with similar function will do some kinds of ornamental turning. The maker John Payne used to demonstrate this at exhibitions.

There is a Society of Ornamental Turners who have a stand at some ME Exhibitions.

Work seems to go from jewellery size up to large objects and watching the machinery is fascinating especially as some of it looks very old.

I have put a link to the SOT Website here as it might have information on modding lathes:-

SOT

Edited By V8Eng on 17/11/2019 11:22:42

I have a set of PDF on making a simple Rose engine if interested PM me your e mail and I will send them to you. It is designed more for the woodturner but may still be of use.

You might be interested in this clickspring video. He uses a mill but the same thing could be done on a lathe with a dividing head mounted on the cross slide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Ai5F8O3iI

Russell

J. H. Evans wrote Ornamental Turning in 1886. This is now available in paperback form (1993) so you may be able to find a copy.

Martin C

Thank you for all of the book suggestions and the links, which I shall look at. I had done some searching already, but mostly found references to purpose-built machines, rather than modifications for a standard lathe. The Tubal Cain book sounds particulalry promising.

Jamie.

drop mark baker at GMC publications a line as they had a series showing how to adapt a rotary table, chuck and compound table to fit on a wood working lathe and convert it into a basic ornamental turning set up. I have the articles some where as I bought the equipment. last year to do just that but then events so far have prevented me achieving it

regards Ian