Live Oak Branch trimmed to length and mounted between centers

Initial Shaping using shallow gouge

Final Shaping using gouge

defining the ferrule with parting tool

Defining the inflection point with the parting tool

Using round nose scraper to shape front half

Using round nose scraper to taper rear of handle

Rough sanding after removing tool rest

Fine Sanding with 220 grit paper. Note vacuum hose to capture fine dust.

Apply tung oil with q-tip while spinning

Apply hard carnuba wax while turning

Buffing with an old sock while turning.

Considerable pressure used while buffing causes the hard wax to melt and form a very tough protective finish.

Two finished handles, ready to be cut apart on the band saw.

Here are three different gauges I have used. The top two use pins.

Here are the parts for the one in Fine Woodworking. The fence was made by cutting a single piece of stock into 3 sections, and then regluing to create an absoluting square mortise for the bar, while retaining the original grain orientation. The bar is then made to exactly fit the mortise. A mortise is made in the bar to accept the cutter (made from old sabre saw blade) and the wedge. A threaded insert in the fence allows a brass thumbscrew to exert pressure on oak plug to hold the bar in place. The spear point bevel on the cutter does not wander and works like a charm.

Here are three different gauges I made using the 'Fine Woodworking' April 2010 design.