Elliptical Cutting Frame

Elliptical Cutting Frames (sometimes called Ellipse Cutting Frames) are another variation of the fly cutter. They add additional functionality to the eccentric cutting frame by adding gears. These gears allow the cutter to follow an elliptical path instead of a circular one.

On the complexity scale, they fall into:

  1. Eccentric Cutting Frame
  1. Elliptical Cutting Frame
  1. Rose Cutting Frame
  1. Epicycloidal Cutting Frame

Elliptical cutting frames are often used with for adding designs to the end of an object, especially with guilloché type of work. The trained user of the elliptical cutting frame can change the gearing and produce other, highly intricate designs including multiple four-leaf clovers.

The best reference for these is Turning and Mechanical Manipulation, vol. 5 - The Principles and Practice of Ornamental or Complex Turning (1884).


Just getting started?
You can delay getting one of these. Frankly, unless you have the need for one, you could make a load of stuff never having one of these. But, they can be used to make some really cool stuff!
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Disclaimer : eMail comments to me at OTBookOfKnowledge @ Gmail.com. The process of woodturning involves the use of tools, machinery and materials which could cause injury or be a health hazard unless proper precautions are taken, including the wearing of appropriate protective equipment.