I need to fabricate a finial for an outbuilding we recently completed.
Initially, I searched the web and came up empty. Of course, I can make the thing, but I didn’t think it would be cost effective if there was something close off the shelf.
Anyhow, I’m going to make it but after thinking about it being 18 feet or so of the ground, I thought if I used wood, they’ll never get up there and paint it. Which means it will look like crap in 5 years and reflect on me.
So I decided to make it out of Azek, the plastic lumber, because its going to be white anyway. It glues up nice with pvc cement so I’m going to build up layers and then bandsaw the curved parts, and turn the round parts.
I have some turning experience so thats not a problem, but I do not have a lathe, and don’t really want to buy one for the little bit of work involved, basically turning an eight inch sphere.
I was contemplating a router jig, but I thought some of you guys might have method for making a round object with square tools.
Any ideas welcome.
Tom
I’m here to help the humans.
Replies
For something that high up, you might be able to shape it with hand tools, starting with a rasp. I haven't handled the material myself, but if it is softer than wood, rasps and files would make quick work of it.
I don't know how big this baby needs to be but you could check out the Fypon site. They have post caps in a few shapes and sizes. I used some of their balls.
Still needs paint as it only comes primered but a coupler good coats of paint should last ten years or so and the foam body of it won't rot or check or split even when the paint does start misbehaving.
Excellence is its own reward!
I am sure you though of this. Find a cabinet shop that has a lathe have them shape it for you.
yeah fred I did, but thanks.
Piffin, its gonna be about 18 inches high, I'm thinking the ball needs to be 8" and if I recall, fypon makes a 6".
It has a square base with some detail and an four sided sort of pyramid with concave sides that the ball sits on.
I was thinking of roughing it out the working it with rasps.
Maybe I can put a hunk of the stuff in my dillon case tumbler and see if it comes out round?:)
Honestly I wouldn't mind spending the money on the lathe, I just don't want it sitting around taking up space.
Incidentally, I just got offered to haul my brother in laws woodworking equipment away. Let's see, powermatic-model 66 with biesmyer, 20" cabinet grade planer, a massive shaper, bandsaw, lathe, and a couple of other piece, all circa 1990. Unfortunately a few piece were stored in the same room with his pool equipment and the chlorine played heck on it. I hope it makes you drool all the same.Tom
I'm here to help the humans.