Turning Fruit

Nick Arnull demonstrates how to turn natural and coloured fruit the easy way

Some time ago, my wife Jane asked me to make her some fruit, but I didn't have a clue where to start. I had seen a demo where a fruit chuck had been used, but I decided there had to be a simpler/cheaper method. So I developed the method I still use today. The main problem was how to hold the wood on the lathe for turning fruit. Easy, I thought, use a screw chuck. Those available commercially at that time were too big, so I made my own, see figure 1, using screws that were already in the workshop - 6 and 8 gauge, 1 1/2in wood screws.

When you are making natural wooden fruits, use highly figured/decorative timbers like spalted beech (Fagus sp) and yew (Taxus sp). When making coloured fruit, my first choice is sycamore (Acer sp). Do not forget fruit is regional/seasonal so make what is available in your area. Go out and buy good examples of the fruit you are going to make - you will not believe the actual shape and colours on the fruit. Take a long hard look before you start.

Safety

When turning natural fruit you want to use the most decorative timbers. As a rule, the more pretty the wood the more hazardous the dust. Though this is a small-scale project, do not forget to protect your eyes and lungs.

Materials required

Timber apples are made from 75 x 75 x 75mm (3 x 3 x 3in), pears are made from 75 x 75 x 90mm (3 x 3 x 3 1/2in). For coloured fruit, use sycamore, holly (Ilex sp), maple (Acer campestre) etc. With natural fruit, you can use highly figured timbers. Liberon acrylic palette wood dyes are used for the base coats, and a selection of artist acrylic colours will be required. It is very important to have fresh fruit to copy when decorating.