MANY YEARS AGO we found this charming toddler's pull toy at a Christmas market. a round carved wooden ball that revolves on its cart as the child pulls it. How very cute, how very clever. Our grandchildren loved it, now several of them are married and apt to produce great grand-children one of these years. To encourage that activity I decided to make some copies of Santa Ball as inducements, The first two pregnancies will receive a Santa Ball for Christmas.
So I found amongst my hoard of wood a four inch chunk of Locust that I hauled back from Walla Walla years ago. hard-tough-dense wood, just perfect for turning round four inch balls, so here we go on the band saw.
Next- to the wood lathe. If you have never tried to turn a perfectly round ball on a lathe, let me tell you it is not easy. The tendency is to make them too long. Round is difficult, Perfectly round, impossible.
Here are the results, Two "round enough" locust balls, one with the design to be carved sketched in, I spent most of the afternoon turning these balls but they test well on the pull cart, they roll nicely-Now all I have to do is carve and paint them. That ought to be an experience! stay tuned I will take you along on this strange journey
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I did a little uke work too. I shaped and glued on the butt blocks for the three new concert pinecones. I also cut and glued on the walnut backing plates under the bridge. They are being held down tight with the lead shot bags and piece of RR track that I use for a weight and anvil.
