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Hi, Alan Stratton from As Wood Turns dot com. Not every woodturning project has to be a
big one. Sometimes, it's the simple, little projects that are more valuable. What is this?
I'm not sure what to call it. But it will do a great job of holding pages open when
reading a book. So, when you're reading or, perhaps, at church, with a hymnbook. Whenever
you need to hold the pages with one hand, here you go.
So, let's make this page holder!? I selected walnut for this book page holder.
Since the wood is so dark, I put some light tape on it so I could easily see my markings.
With the tail stock holding the timber centered, I'll use hot melt glue to fasten it to a wood
faceplate. I'll drill a ¾" hole -- sized to my thumb -- your thumb size my vary. Just
watch out for the wood spinning around -- it a real knuckle knocker.
Now, I'll tool this side of the hole just a little. It's my only chance to round it
off and sand it. I started with a gouge. After a couple of catches, I switched to a square
carbide. But the carbide was quite awkward for this cut due to the small hole and heavy
handled carbide tool. I'll sand this now. Then, I'll remove the timber from the faceplate,
flip it around, align it with a cone center, and glue it down again with hot melt glue.
Then do the same thing from the other side of the timber.
With the hole finished, I can remount the timber between centers. Here's where it pays
off to be as centered on the timber as possible so the side hole edges are uniform. I'll round
off the blank while also cutting a tenon on one end so I can remount it in a chuck. Why?
Because I like to part off one end while on the lathe then finish the end while still
mounted. After some shaping, I'll mark off equal lengths
for the two points. Then refine the shape. With the hole thru the middle, I can see the
ghost image of the hole. But, I have to be careful not to overcut. I'm stopping often
to check the shape -- The ghosts are not totally reliable.
Then sand in preparation for parting off one end. After parting it off, I'll touch up the
end then apply beeswax and mineral oil. But I had a problem. I applied just a little too
much side pressure while finishing -- the page holder snapped off the other end. Unfortunately,
It broke diagonally across the holder following some diagonal grain.
So, I used a small cheap paint brush to apply some medium CA glue to the split to glue it
together again. Afterwards, I sanded and finished the end again.
Now I have a new book page holder. I haven't figured out how to use it on a Kindle so it
will stay retro with traditional books. Meanwhile, those pages will have to stay in place while
I read with one hand and reach for a treat with the other hand. Despite its visual simplicity,
this had its own special challenges. Please click the like button on this video
and subscribe to both my website and YouTube channel. Always wear your face shield. Until
next time, this is Alan Stratton from As Wood Turns dot com.