Way cool!

 

3/8" diameter, 3/4" deep holes CNCed into each ball.

My CNC remembers the previous X/Y/Z home position. So today I used the vectors made to cut the balls and made a normal X/Y/Z toolpath to pocket out the holes in the center of each ball.
4D

 

Next step was to cut them apart. Used my bandsaw to cut each close to the ball surface. Pressed a slightly larger than 3/8" diameter aluminum rod into the hole to mount the balls, one at a time, back on the rotary axis chuck.

I'm working on a toolpath that will trim off the nubs, leaving a nice smooth ball. Hex nut between ball and tailstock point to make sure the ball doesn't slide off when being cut. Didn't want a dent left by the tailstock center tip.
4D

 

After trimming one ball on the CNC as show above, I remembered I have a variable speed mini lathe in my garage shop.
Took about 5 minutes each. Use a skew chisel to turnoff the nubs as the ball spun. 120, 180, 240, then 320 grit sandpaper to smooth the surface.

Not without a few flaws most will never notice, but less expensive to make rather than buy, and a good mental exercise to figure out the steps needed to produce them.
Set up on my lathe was identical to how I set them up on the CNC, except the lathe has a tool rest. Skew used rather than a 3/8" diameter ball end bit.
4D

 

For the curious, the balls were for a bit of whimsy to finish a project no one needs but uses up some scraps I had. Small table top abandoned from a previous project idea. 2 hardwood dowels I've had for a couple decade or more that begged for a use. Some magnets left over from a previous project to keep all the parts together.

Just barely enough, but a proud use of 3/8" dowels, to hold that top horizontal and above the floor. Yes, it'll do a short wobble dance if you bump it. Likely its best feature.
4D

 

A wiggly table. lol. Beautiful whimsical design. Nice!

 

Looks OK from this angle !!!

 

All projects seem to live longer with some finish on the parts, so that was the last step for this project. Started with the wood balls. No problem with the first three, but the 4th put up a fight. It tried to escape by rolling off the bench, but I caught it. It was so mad it got red in the face. To quell its anger I conceded, Meet the little table with one angry shoe.

4D.

 

I think it needs one of those spring loaded hula girl toys.

 

I think it needs one of those spring loaded hula girl toys.

Could be, but if I get one it'll want to ride on the dash of my Chevy Colorado.
Now that I've finished this project it's story is on my blog.

Whimsy in Design. Magnetic Appeal.

4dfurniture.blogspot.com

I'm gonna see if I can hang a tag on all my furniture projects with a QR code printed on them to point to the blog post about them. Ordered some hang tags from the jungle store.
4D

 

Great idea on the tags. The legs look a little like poodle paws, so I'd call it the poodle table.

 

The legs look a little like poodle paws...

There's an idea. Now you've got me wondering how to make furry wood balls. Checked google images and all the poodle feet are furry.