TURNING MINIATURES By Carey Caires

 August 10,2003

1. Why turn miniatures?

•  More use of small scraps of expensive and exotic woods
• Less mess and clean up
• No large lathe needed
• Less work space needed to turn
•  Less time needed to turn and sand
•  More pieces can be displayed
•  Easier to pack and ship as gifts
•  Easier to bring to "show & tell"
•  Less expensive tools are used
•  If it fly's off the lathe, there's less bodily harm
•  Miniatures naturally lend themselves to arrangements such my bottle stoppers

2. Subject matter for miniatures

• Most anything that can be turned full size can be turned in miniature
• Some items such as an olive need to be turned in miniature

 3. Wood selection

·        Woods that are not suitable for small turnings

•  Large or bold grain

• Very porous woods, such as Oak, spalted Beech, & Black Acacia

·        Suitable woods for small to miniature turnings

•  Very small or no visible grain

•  Tiny Birdseye, close spalting (such as Ebony), African blackwood, Boxwood, and mini Cherry Burl

4. Alternate materials

• Palm nuts, Tagua, Etc.
• Bone
• Plastics and Corian

 5. Holding your work

•  Long nose jaws for chuck
•  Drill chuck
•  Glue block

6. Tools for miniature turning

• Crown Tools and Robert Sorby (both sell miniature sets)
• Hand made tools made from dental tools, concrete nails, Allen wrenches, and files (Caution hand made tools can shatter)
• Magnifying light, mini-clamps, tweezers, tooth picks (for gauging depth, sanding, &to clean friction polish build up out of grooves)

 7. Turning the items

• Speed; turn at 1240 RPM
• Roughing; rough out with 3/8"spindle or bowl gouge
• Scale; most miniatures are 1/12 scale (Note 1/16" on a full size turning is nearly invisible, but on a miniature it is the whole turning.)
• Shape; concentrate on shape, not grain pattern
• Sandpaper; use (if necessary) sandpaper to refine shape as turning tools may make the miniature flex
• Tools; modify as required
• Finger; use your finger as a steady rest
• Last Pass Cut; use caution, this pass may be your last

8. Sanding and Finishing 

• Start with 180 grit or higher and work up to 800 grit
•  Wrap strips of sandpaper around a tooth pick to get into small diameters
•  Support work while sanding with your finger
•  Finish with friction polish or wax on the lathe
•  Use a Q-Tip or "Eye-Tees" to get polish or wax into small diameters
•  Spray lacquer; attach the miniature to a pencil or dowel with "StickTac". Insert the pencil or dowel into block of floral foam.

9. Safety

  You have to get very close to the work. Usual precautions (face shield, no loose clothing). I wear a face shield and do not recommend safety glasses alone. (You don't want a mini candlestick stuck in your cheek.)