by Lori Howe
March-July 2000 - I decided to buy a lathe and turn my own bobbins after I saw the computerized lathe at a Wood working show in Chantilly VA. But after thinking it through I realized the computer version was way too much money. I asked through arachne what would be the best lathe and was recipient of a number of suggestions of what to look for in a lathe by the wonderful bobbin turners on arachne and even the husband of a lacemaker. I kept all the letters and began my search. It wasn't easy, no lathe seamed perfect. But I finally found out about a lather beginners class and worked on a mini JET. But I felt it was too large. I wanted to work sitting down and continued my search. I finally bought a Woodwrite 360. It is made for making pens. It also had a motorized saddle drive which moved the wood from side to side automatically. This combined with the built in cutter allows me to do some cutting without hand tools.July 26,00 - The day finally came when my husband took a day off from work to take me to get my lathe. The Woodwrite Shop is in the woods of Maryland in amongst some of the most fantastic "gentleman farms" I have ever seen! Jack, the owner spent hours showing me the lathes and making sure I got the one I wanted. Maybe I should say needed, as the one I wanted was the computer! Then I got to order the wood I wanted out of a choice of over 50 kinds to be made into dowels for ease of use. He would cut them personally and send them to me. Phil, Jacks assistant and partner and my husband packed up my lathe and we were off! (After paying the bill of course)
July 26,00(afternoon)- Once I found a lathe I had to get accessories. Tools and more tools were needed. I bought 3 very small chisels that were called detail chisels. But I didn't get the right ones and struggled on my first two bobbins before I was sure I was going at this all wrong. I used the birch dowels to make these first 2 bobbins. I looked at Springett's book again as I was determined to "get it right".
July 29,00 - So today my Dear Husband and I went down to "Woodcrafters" in Springfield. I eventually got the Mini chisel set which is actually larger than the "detail" set. But it had a skew that was close to the one in Springett's book as well as others. I also bought a set of dowel center markers to make it easier to mark the center of the dowel and make the turning easier and better. This time I decided to try my cherry. I was nervous working with the new tools as they were bigger and a bit awkward. I realized that my tool rest was too high for these larger tools and I couldn't get the best angle. I will have to contact Woodwrite and ask for a modified rest since I was working on 1/4" stock instead of the 1/2" the lathe was designed for. But the bobbin came out a little better anyway. 3 down and 997 to go.
July 30, 2000-My lathe bound up and blew fuses just as my Dear Husband left for a business trip. bummer!July 31, 2000 - I called my lathe dealer and he told me how to disconnect the electric saddle drive and put on the hand crank. I did and made bobbin #4(cherry). I like the cherry to work on.
August 2, 2000, I made bobbin 6 (tulip) ). It was with the new wood I got and was thinner than 1/4" so doesn't look proportionate.
August 3, 2000 - I am having troubles.....The wood won't center. I can't figure it out. I'm so upset. I tried to find a different type of chuck by calling around but couldn't find a 3/4" one.
bobbins 1 (top) through 8 (bottom)August 3, 2000 -My husband returned and adjusted my lathe and and got the sadle drive going again. But I'm still unable to center it properly.
August 4, 2000 - My dear husband found out that I had the collet in backwards!! But it was too late in evening to try it (I live in apartment building). I have to wait till tomorrow.
August 5, 2000 - Hooray! everything is working great again! Arn't handy husbands great!!!
I made 3 bobbins today. Bobbin 7(maple) and 8 (Walnut). Then I tried another piece of tulipwood. It works up so well. I really like it. I am getting better at the necks and sanding is getting better too. 991 to go to perfection!
Bobbin 9
2001I've made at least 500 bobbins by now and have made a lot of changes and improvements in that time. I find I work mostly in Rosewood and ebony now as it seams most lacemakers don't seem to want or appreciate the exotic woods. So I use them for myself and make the rosewood and ebony for everyone else. You can see some of my bobbins here:
http://bobbins.lacefairy.com/CatalogTurned.html