Making Modular Boxes

July 15-17 Cost: $650 including materials.

Creating boxes made of a several components as opposed to a single piece of wood has several advantages in ornamental turning. Not only does it save the precious resource of exotic woods of which there is a limited supply, but it also allows one to better study proportions and molding profiles in a way not otherwise possible. It also allows patterns to be used which would otherwise not be possible. In addition it allow for precise work holding to be made up easily and accurately. This class will explore the threading techniques on both the ornamental turning machines and metal cutting lathe as well as making the working devices. Proper thread fits will be covered. Profiled cutters will be used in both cutting frames and as fixed tools in the metal lathe and proportions will be studied. In addition the boxes created in class will be decorated using typical ornamental turning techniques as well as the rose engine lathe. The universal cutting frame and the drilling frame will be used to create patterns on the reciprocator apparatus, the spiral apparatus, and the rose engine. This is a hands-on course where students will receive instruction but personally be setting up and operating both antique and modern machines. The class will start on Friday Saturday morning at 9am and end at 6pm or later. It is a two-day class; however, the shop will be open to students on Sunday morning to catch up on unfinished work.