This quick-to-make light-bulb ornament is sure to brighten up the holidays. Whether you choose to stain them an assortment of colors as shown or make them out of different colored wood species, you can quickly turn out a tree full of these delightful Christmas ornaments for many seasons of holiday cheer.
- Materials: 13/8" X 13/8" X 33/4" wood blank, 7/16" O.D brass tube, brass screw eye.
- Mount the brass tubing CAREFULLY in the 4 jaw chuck. Clean with brass cleaner and part off a 1/2" length.
- Put blank between centers, turn round and put a tenon on the end to fit your 4 jaw chuck.
- Mount blank in chuck…turn to final diameter 15/16"
- Face off the right hand end then drill a 1/32" hole.
- Mark the blank at 1/2", 13/8" and 31/8" from the end.
- Form a tenon 1/2" long, sized to fit inside brass tubing. Color the end of the tenon black and glue on the brass tube. I haven’t decided if I like gluing the tube on now or later…if you do it now, be careful not to contact the tubing with tool or sandpaper.
- From the 13/8" line, shape the bottom of the light bulb down hill to the brass tube.
- At the 31/8" line, make a parting cut to form a 1/2" cylinder.
- Shape the top of the bulb, sanding as you go…until the bulb is separated
- With a sharp knife, finish the tip
- Glue in the screw eye, mask the brass and color with your choice of wood dyes, or paint…remove the mask and finish with several coats of clear lacquer.
Watch a free video on turning this project at woodmagazine.com/turnedbulb Featured in the November 2010 issue of WOOD.
