My latest work on the pole lathe - something a bit different, and not at all bushcrafty, a turned wood penguin.
Penguin1 by Alan Muddypaws, on Flickr
Penguin2 by Alan Muddypaws, on Flickr
I saw a YouTube video of a chap turning wooden penguins on a power lathe, using an offset turning method, and thought that I could do that on my pole lathe.
I began by turning the penguin's body, then offset the lathe centre at the head end in order to shape the back of the head and leave extra wood on the front for the beak. Then the head was hand carved and sanded. The beak would have been longer but the tip broke off when I was carving (I'll be more careful next time)
This penguin stands five inches tall, and is made from Sycamore. I masked off the pale bib, before spraying with some gloss black paint. A spot of orange for the beak, and then a quick overcoat with clear lacquer completed the job.
Thanks for looking!


I saw a YouTube video of a chap turning wooden penguins on a power lathe, using an offset turning method, and thought that I could do that on my pole lathe.
I began by turning the penguin's body, then offset the lathe centre at the head end in order to shape the back of the head and leave extra wood on the front for the beak. Then the head was hand carved and sanded. The beak would have been longer but the tip broke off when I was carving (I'll be more careful next time)
This penguin stands five inches tall, and is made from Sycamore. I masked off the pale bib, before spraying with some gloss black paint. A spot of orange for the beak, and then a quick overcoat with clear lacquer completed the job.
Thanks for looking!