Woodturning Essentials - Octagon Method For Perfect Spheres

www.AsWoodTurns...
My last video started with turning a perfect sphere then moving on to make it more artsy. However, I received many questions about how to turn a sphere. So, in this video, I'm slowing down and graphically illustrating the sphere turning process.
Three measures are critical:
1. Diameter - as measured on the work piece.
2. Octagon corners - 0.293 x the diameter
3. Octagon sides - 0.414 x the diameter.
Between the octagon method and simple cup center faceplates, anyone can easily master woodturning perfect spheres either as an end woodturning project or as a component to a more complex project.
After viewing this video go back one week to the previous video.
Enjoy!
Blog: www.AsWoodTurns...
FB: / aswoodturns

[@mikefricker3603]

It works! Have done 8 over the last 2 days. Easier with bigger spheres and when you don’t forget one of the steps (draw lines down the centres of the faces). A wobbly live cup didn’t help either. Still a good method. I like the look of a half sphere as a goblet bowl shape. Thanks Alan

[@AsWoodTurns]

Nice job of putting it to practice.
You are welcome Mike
Alan

[@prsearls]

I like your technique; I'll try it. Turning spheres has not been one of my successes but now you've shown me important tips that will make these much better. Thanks!

[@AsWoodTurns]

Using the octagon & faceplate method, I have turned spheres from some very nasty blanks, and very close to original cylinder diameter.
Alan

[@albertdawson6814]

Very nice Allen. Thank you for sharing

[@AsWoodTurns]

Hopefully, saved you money not buying a limited use jig.
Alan

[@pgroan]

By far the best explanation of how to turn a sphere! Thank you

[@AsWoodTurns]

Glad it was helpful!
Alan

[@baconsoda]

I think this is the most efficient, and elegant, method to make a sphere. 0.292 is the ratio of the piece you cut off to the diameter so multiplying any diameter by 0.293 will give you your mark. I find that working in millimetres makes it a bit easier to mark where the lines go. Good video Alan.
Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@AsWoodTurns]

Millimeters have their advantages. Fortunately the two ratios work equally well for millimeter and inches.
When I was in grade school, the metric system was supposed to replace inches in a couple of years.
I think computers with easy conversions have slowed adoption.
Alan

[@baconsoda]

Yeah, we are supposed to be fully metric here (Ireland) but my generation still work with Imperial measures mixed with metric. Then apprentices arrive on site not knowing what to do when asked for 18 and 1/2 inches of timber so we have to teach them Imperial measures which is actually against the law (but they all say Imperial is easier to understand because it's easier to assess 7" than 18 cm and I agree). However, when it comes to 3 figure fractions I find it easier to determine and mark, say, 27.3 mm than 1.074" but, over the years, I've become more accustomed to millimetres. Whatever we use, your octagon method is the best.

[@dekopuma]

This looks like an extremely handy method, I'm going to give it a try soon.

[@AsWoodTurns]

Very handy method. Turn one for the sphere challenge by July 31!
Alan

[@owen-hw5jc]

Awesome videos ! Thanks for helping me learn!

[@AsWoodTurns]

Happy to help!
Alan

[@LewisKauffman]

Thank You!

[@AsWoodTurns]

You're welcome! saved you money!
Alan

[@rimar2000]

Excellent method., Alan, thanks for sharing it.

[@AsWoodTurns]

You are welcome Osvaldo.
Alan

[@PaulLockwood]

Great explanation Alan, something I still have to try.

[@AsWoodTurns]

Try it sooner rather than later. Even a plain stand alone ball is fun.
Alan

[@markchoitz443]

excellent method and video Alan - thanks

[@AsWoodTurns]

You are welcome Mark.
Alan

[@alanmullock381]

Very well explained Alan👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Alan
Alan

[@JimmiePorterAtStuartArts]

Awesome job! Thank you - this was a lot of work!

[@AsWoodTurns]

You're welcome - but yes it was.
Alan

[@tomasarguinzoni9022]

Very nice information thank you for sharing

[@AsWoodTurns]

You are welcome Tomas
Alan

[@charlesreicks648]

Fantastic Alan Thanks

[@AsWoodTurns]

I'll be looking for yours
Alan

[@AlexanderTES]

Very useful!

[@AsWoodTurns]

Yes, I just don't want people stymied as I was before I found this process.
Alan

[@alboehm3196]

Great info

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Allen. It's back to basics.
Alan

[@czellner5894]

Thanks Alan, That looks like a much better process than eyeballing a sphere. Mine look more like eggs. But, after all, I can't even draw a good sphere. LOL

[@AsWoodTurns]

No more eggs unless you want an egg.
You don't need to draw a sphere - just turn them. :)
Alan

[@CesareVesdani]

The only way to get a perfect sphere is to use a jig.

[@AsWoodTurns]

Then you need to watch my video again and try it. :)