Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Ear Plugs

So 2 weeks ago I was doing a wood turning demo at the Home and Patio show in the Woodcraft booth. The guy from across the aisle came over and asked me if I could make him some ear plugs. I said, "I have never made those before but give me 15 minutes and I will make you some."  I ended up making him a set and a set for his girlfriend. So the next day we go to Tijuana Flats for lunch and 2 of the girls that work there have then. I ask for the dimensions and go home and make them each a set. As it turns out the day I am going to deliver them is Jamie's birthday. (pictured left) She was very happy to get them. Since it was her birthday I even put them in a small turned box. These ear plugs a fun to make and don't take much material. I am planning on making some more and have some designs in mind. The hard part is the measuring they have to be an exact size. Every one has different sized holes and Jamie's are different on each side. Of course that is the good thing about making them custom is I am able to match the wood ad make them any size needed. (Photo Credit: Ethan)

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

hey there, i am just getting into wood turning for this reason. i am doing a basic course and making a fruit stand, and at the same time trying to figure out how to best make these. chucking is the bit i am finding difficult, as to finishing both sides without a hole in the middle....
any help you could give me would be great!
lefroymassive@iprimus.com.au

Emory said...

Usually what I do is hold the piece in a chuck and work on the outside of the plug. Then I start to part the piece off and round over the edge. Sand as much as possible on the lathe, then finish parting off the piece. I will then finish sanding the piece with a dremel tool. I like to finish these with just a wax finish. Let me know if you have any further questions.

Unknown said...

thanks for your help, all is going well i have made a few decent sets now, mine are up to 40mm. i find turning a spigot then jamming the plug in with some clothe works ok, currently im trying to suss out making a wooden collet chuck. with some hose clamps. the only thing is like you say, making them suitable to hold a range of different sizes quickly and easily. cheers for the advice though! if you have any better ideas on chucking let me know, i do have a dremel but am only new to it so i need to work out what to buy, sanding wise. thanks again