Bobbins

[Dalboy]

Been asked to turn some lace making bobbins. Did not have a tape handy at the time

The ones I have seen are about 5" long would like to know what diameter they are and how big should the bit be where the thread is wound onto, any other info much appreciated

 

[Bodrighy]

You can use pen blanks or equivalent sized wood for these. They vary a lot and it might be worth looking up the different types. Generally speaking they are between 5 and 8mm dia where the thread winds on them. Check what type they want and whether they want them drilled for spangles. Ideally finish by sanding to a sheen but don't use a wax polish, I tebd to leave bare wood just sanded to a sheen as any finish can come off on the lacework and you won't be too popular

Pete

 

[loftyhermes]

I turn east midlands bobbins and finish them about 4 1/2 inches long, the neck where the thread is wound is 1 inch long and 1/8th in diameter. I generally cut my wood into 3/8ths inch squares, maybe even as small as 1/4 inch.

 

[Jonzjob]

Would this help DB?

http://www.lacemakingbobbins.com/

There are a load of hits if you google 'making lace bobbins'.

 

[Dalboy]

Thanks to you all plenty of info. Will now have to try and turn some

 

[Jonzjob]

I might have a crack at some too. I have some box and yew that would do that job well.

The nearest I have got to anything like that, I was asked to turn some bobbins for trad Japanese embroidery. They are square at the ends with a waist in them. They aren't sealed or polished because of the silks used and they have to be perfectly smooth too. It was a nice job to do.

 

[Setch]

I've turned a few of these - you have to be very careful once the narrow neck is formed, they get very flexible at that point.

My favorite bobbin was one I turned from old maccassr ebony piano keys - they were too short to make a bobbin in one piece, so I turned separate bone necks and glued them together - they look awesome, and the bone works beautifully.

 

[Jonzjob]

That sounds like a brilliant idea Setch! I was given a box full of very old piano keys. I'll have to have a look at them.

Ta for the idea

 

[Bodrighy]

I'd love to get my hands on a load of old piano keys, ebony and ivory usually, modern ones are all plastic as far as I know.

P.S. What's with the 'Pineapples' or am I the only one seeing it?

pete

 

[Jonzjob]

P.S. What's with the 'Pineapples' or am I the only one seeing it?

Seeing what :twisted: :twisted: ?? You bin drinkin agin?

 

[CHJ]

P.S. What's with the 'Pineapples' or am I the only one seeing it?
pete

Pete it's the word censor, if someone uses language that most people would not like used in front of their children in a home environment then the words are automatically substituted, for some reason only known to the little fairies that were peddling the server they decided to interpret certain symbols on a much broader remit.
Hopefully they have been sufficiently reigned in to just to keep things a little more family/gender friendly.

All part of trying not to remove threads that may become contentious/ inflammatory but still maintain some decorum.

 

[Jonzjob]

Decorum!

Did you know that is what they do to apples before they cook 'em? :roll:

OK I'll get me coat on the way out

Edit : - I found this site that gives lots of good photos of different styles. Just click on the links at the bottom of the page. It even shows them against a measuring tape.

http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.uk/lac ... bbins.html

Nearly forgot to put the flamin link on

 

[Jonzjob]

After looking at the web site and some of the designs I decided why not and had a crack at one. It was a lovely thing to turn and I will definitely be back for more!

I got so carried away with it that I forgot to sand it properly and had a very wobbly bobbin on the lathe at the end, but I quite like the result and wil do better next time!

Beech and about 5" long and not at all wobbly when the thread part was cut at the end. Quite therapeutic!