wooden handled mugs

[ohio ramrod]

I scored several truck loads of maple cut offs ( one gallon of cider per truck load ) so I made some wooden handled mugs since I don'y have a large supply of antler for handles. I have often wondered if I could make a wooden handled mug on a modern lathe . They used to use "pole lathes" with stops set so the wood only turned part of the circle. Then hollowed out the handle. I find that the handle part takes as long as turning out the center of the mug.

 

[user 48679]

WOW ! ! Those look GREAT !

 

[RoaringBull]

I envy folks that can work in wood.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Working with wood isn't really working, it is more like playing. I started in high school wood shop to get out of"acedemic" classes. And have played with wood ever since I got out of college. I find wood working relaxing and blacksmithing stress relief. There is nothing that relieves stress better than hitting something!

 

[Behateror]

Cool. What did you cover them with? And what kind of sandpaper for wood was used for sanding in hard-to-reach places?
so perfectly made, as if made of bone, not wood

 

[ohio ramrod]

I use a two part finish, first is two heavy coats of "super glue" to seal and strengthen the wood.Then two coats of nitro cellulose lacquar for a "food safe" finish. For sanding I just use regular psa sandpaper fastened to various shaped blocks and time and effort.Then final sanding with scotch brite .

 

[Grenadier1758]

If you are making these on a modern lathe, how are you attaching the handles? I'm not quite ready to make a pole lathe with the necessary stops.

 

[ohio ramrod]

To attach the handles I make the handle seperate. Then rough out the radius of the mug on the end of my belt sander.Then finish the radius by sanding the final radius by wrapping a piece of course sand paper over a drum slightly smaller than the mug OD (this allows for the thickness of the sandpaper). Then drawing the handle over the drum. I attach the handle with a thick Super glue . It actually takes more time to make and attach the handle than turn the mug.