My local chapter of the AAW asked me to do a demo on how to turn an egg shape. It’s a tricky form to get right but a few years ago, I measured several chicken eggs to plan a run of egg cups. From that project, I gained a good sense of the form.
Here’s how I think about it - the bottom of the egg is a half-circle and the top part is a parabola. To make one on the lathe, start by turning a cylinder, then measure and mark the diameter at what will become the widest point of your egg. If you use metric measurements, the math is easier. Half that number to locate the bottom, and 1.6 times that half-diameter will be the distance from the widest point to the top.
Mark your endpoints, remove the waste and cut away from the widest point toward ends. Monitor the top edge while you aim for those two shapes. It’s a lot easier said than done. A lot of refinement is needed to get your curves smooth and transition areas balanced.
In the spirit of egg-making, I thought I would try to make an antique-style master salt in the egg form to challenge myself. There are more considerations with this project, carving out the box and accounting for the central band that sits proud of the widest point. I had to stop several times to think about how all the design aspects would come together in the end.
I think the results are good for a first attempt and I’ll plan to make more over the summer. It would be fun to try it in various woods.
Here’s an egg that I’m offering here for sale.
The wood is cherry and it has a non-toxic finish of oil and wax. It’s 3” tall and 2 1/8” diameter and a rattle when you shake it. The flower design is done with pyrography. $60 includes shipping anywhere in the continental US. Contact me at juliaswyers@gmail.com if interested and I will send you a payment request through Venmo or Zelle.
Upcoming markets:
April 27th Daffodil Days at Honeybee Grove in Somers, NY
May 10th Mother’s YAY Market at Station Place in Peekskill, NY
Upcoming classes:
May 17 - 18, Intro to Spindle Grain Woodturning at Peters Valley School of Craft
May 24th Turn a Wooden Plate at Brookfield Craft Center