Unusual commissions

[bodrighywood]

I am sure we all get very strange requests at times. I am at the moment getting my head around making a complete spinning wheel that can be easily dismantled for transport and a pair of candelabra made from a matching pair of red deer antlers using dark wood and pewter. Both have to be designed as well as made. Proving interesting to say the least. What weird and wonderful commissions do others get?

Pete

[Bryan Milham]

Certainly not as different or complex as yours but I've just completed a walnut Quaich (Scotish drinking cup) fitted with a Queen's Shilling to 'Pay the Piper' at an Army Regimental Dinner.

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

Ah! Pete,
               those old chestnuts of spinning wheels and candelabra didn't realise they were still about
Good luck, show us a picture.
Regards
John BHT

[Richard Findley]

Hi Pete

I find spinning wheels fascinating, but I've never really understood how they work, or really what they do, despite speaking to a chap that spent a good bit of his life making them. Because I just don't really get it, I don't really feel I could make one. I like to properly understand what I'm doing.

I've been thinking about my wierdest jobs. I've made parts of a replica machine gun (I have pictures knocking around somewhere) rocket boosters for a Saturn style rocket for a shop display and recently, maple gym bars for a gymnast to swing on.

Cheers

Richard

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

How about a pair of Indian clubs that were drilled and weighted with lead that were so heavy I could just lift one with both hands.
John BHT

[davidbrac]

100 toggles for gun dog dummies in oak, would have been easier to purchase duffle coat buttons Originally they wanted them in deer antler and may come back for this at a later date

[Les Symonds]

A pair of bungs to close off flexible water pipes on a camper van, so that the owner could continue to run the water pump whilst his hand-basin was disconnected!

[burywoodturners]

I have had a whole series of commissions from a lady who loves spinning and weaving, fromminor repairs to partly rebuilding a loom I have had a lot of enjoyable tasks. From heddles, treadles, flying shuttles to a lazy kate, you will learn a whole new vocabulary
On spinning wheels, I can only suggest googling spinning wheels and search on images. The technology is straight forward and the regional variation is enormous, so pick the most straight forward one and start from there.

Ron

[Mark Sanger]

Been thinking about this but I rarely take on commissions, but my wife sis ask me to make a pestle this weekend. Hardly unusual. 

[Andy Coates]

Kept meaning to reply to this...but you know...time...

I could be typing for a long time so will limit the list...

a 16" D finial for a Church roof, a 9ft long straight support in green oak (specified "green") for an architect (and then he called to say the oak had split!!!), replacement parts for a 1940's seed broadcaster, a turned box for a canteen of cutlery...that was a challenge..., and ermmm...one request I turned down...errrmmmm...plugs to pop up a woman's...no, not that one...the backdoor!!!! I said I was worried about splinters and the measuring up...

and a couple of engine parts for a 1930's car.

But there are lots more...

[Les Symonds]

I've just been asked to make a fisherman's priest!

[Bellringer75]

i have done a fisherman's priest

[woodndesign]

I've just been asked to make a fisherman's priest!

i have done a fisherman's priest

I can ditto that ... 3 posts in a row ..

The legs to fit an Electric Guitar Body and the assemble as a tall stool for the Gentleman to sit an play his Main Guitar.

[BarryMobbs]

How about this set of bearings for a vintage agricultural implement.

I have also just been asked to make a niddy noddy.

  Barry

[woodndesign]

I've just been asked to make a fisherman's priest!

i have done a fisherman's priest

I can ditto that ... 3 posts in a row ..

The legs to fit an Electric Guitar Body and the assemble as a tall stool for the Gentleman to sit an play his Main Guitar.

One Stool ... never came back for the stretches, once he'd worked on the best position.

Cheers  David