chippypah

Turning Mushrooms

I was asked by Harry and Glenmore to show how to make mushrooms, this is a strait forward process and you can use any green wood or seasoned for this. They sell very quickly at craft fairs and other functions and only take about 10 minutes to make once you are used to it, only three tools are used and is a good test of tool control as you use most of the wrist actions when making them. Another good point is that they cost nothing to make, as fallen branches can be used and are readily available.

Get a piece of branch about 2 inches across and about 6 inches long, and mount it in your chuck. Hand turn the chuck to check that it is as near running true, a small bit out will not make much effect on the finished mushroom.

Start up the lathe and shape the end, there is no exact shape as mushrooms are all different shapes. When you are happy with the shape and have finished with the chisel, sand the end if it needs it now. This is because when you turn the stem there is less support, and therefore makes life easier.

Now turn to the parting chisel, for this bit I have used a ¼ and 1/8th inch. Start by taking a cut just below the finished edge of the mushroom, and take it in to roughly the finished thickness of the top of the stem. Now take the remainder of the stem out until you are happy with the shape, wake the final cuts a shear action to make it as smooth as possible.

Next is the inside of the top of the mushroom, at this point it will become clear why the first cut on the stem was short of the finished top. This is all down to personal choice, but I think leaving the thin part of bark gives the mushroom a nicer look. Now with the 1/8th inch parting tool take the edge of the mushroom to its final thickness of edge through to the stem, at this point you could just sand and leave it at that. But again this is down to what you like, I always think that mushrooms look better if you make the inside of the top follow the same contour. So again with the 1/8th parting tool back cut very genteelly on the inside until you are happy with it. All that is left to do is gently sand it and using the parting tool release it from the stock.

You now have a finished mushroom, you could if you want put finish on it or leave it as is. They look great left natural or you could stain them, it is all down to personal choice. To start with these will take longer to do than 10 minutes but the more you do the easier it becomes but one thing is for sure they go quicker than you can make them. So happy turning and I hope this article is useful.

Cheers
Pete
Sorry it is two parts again to many photo's, Harry's fault hehehe

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curiousgeorge

Hey, Pete. Thank you for the tutorial. That looks like fun. I may have to give it a go. This would be a perfect opportunity to try out my new Nova G3 chuck.

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George

If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem...

chippypah

Hey George,
That is why I put this together, as it would give you all a good try out with the Nova as I no you are going to have great fun.
Cheers
Pete

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harrysin

Once again Pete, a brilliant tutorial, I'm not sure what George means by "I may give it a go" I'm going out this morning to refresh my turning supplies, pen kits, bushings, clock fit-up etc. but will certainly attempt some mushrooms after lunch.

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Harry

curiousgeorge

Harry, that simply means I am in the middle of another project right now and the lathe is otherwise occupied and I will have to go out and cut some branches the right size. I even bought an 18Volt cordless reciprocating saw today for just that.

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George

If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem...

chippypah

George, you and your tools. Next will be at 48 inch chain saw hahahaha
Cheers
Pete

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curiousgeorge

Nope, I already have a chain saw. No self respecting Texan would be caught without one.

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George

If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem...

chippypah

Thats the way to go mate lol
cheers
Pete

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harrysin

Fortunately the project already in my lathe was screwed to a faceplate so I unscrewed it and fitted the Nova chuck for it's test run.
Now I know that the challenge was to make a ten minute mushroom, but if you all promise not to laugh, I'll show you my two hour Australian mushroom!
Here it comes and remember, you promised not to laugh, it's about 50mm dia. and 50mm high and it's Apricot wood.

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Harry

harrysin

I forgot to show the goodies that I came back with after this mornings outing. These items together with what I have should keep me going through our autumn and winter months.

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Harry