Beall Pen Wizard

This machine can be used to make some really nice ornamentation on objects like pens, duck calls, wine bottle stoppers, etc. It is a very nice design and works quite well.

There are some features which make this a very useful option:

1. The cutter has a guide which rides along the surface, allowing it to follow any surface shape,
2. Both ends of the object are supported, so the method of work holding is less critical, and
3. The cost for entry to use this approach is quite low.

The newer model has swapped the ends so that you can more easily see what you are turning. There is also an adapter for holding the object via a collet.

This machine combines an Indexing Wheel, with a Spiral Apparatus, and a Curvilinear Apparatus.

How to use the Pen Wizard and some things it can do.

Spiral Master

This jig enables the cutting of spirals on an object using the traditional lathe on which the object was originally turned. It comes after the success of the Flute Master, and they have even added a Variable Pitch Tool for spirals.

I've not used these jigs, but the brisk sales indicate they are successful for certain applications. One area where they probably excel is for larger vases/urns and columns.

As above, there are some features which make this a very useful option:

1. The cutter has a guide which rides along the surface, allowing it to follow any surface shape,
2. Both ends of the object are supported, so the method of work holding is less critical, and
3. The cost for entry to use this approach is relatively low, especially If one is making repetitive work.

This jig combines an Indexing Wheel, with a Spiral Apparatus, and a Curvilinear Apparatus.

Introducing the Spiral Master II

JaHo Ornamental Turning Device

I've not used this device.

In this demo, we're going to show how to use the JaHo Ornamental Turning Device.

NOVA Ornamental Turner

I've not used this device.

Patent, Figure 4

The Sorby RS3000 Ornamental Turning Device was designed by Martin Thompson-Oram and marketed by Sorby in the mid 1990's for just a couple of years.

The following was posted on WoodWorkForums.com in 2012:

The device is quite unique as an ornamental turner as the work piece rotates and the cutter reciprocates back and forth at high speed to create the patterns.

A magnet attached to the lathe spindle acts as a reference for a sensor and the micro processer controls the cutter in accordance with user defined parameters for, the pattern, number of elements to the pattern, from 6 to 24, the pattern offset and length of cutter stroke. The user controls the alignment and placement of the cutter "frame."

The cutter is actuated by a solenoid controlled by the microprocessor. In the photo from top left - box of cutters; the cutter assy / solenoid plus spiral lead ; tool post with hose clamp height stop; cutter frame that fits to a horizontal flat plate tool rest which is missing (similar to a Sorby modular tool rest box platform); various tool posts; power leads and sensor plus lead; and the microprocessor unit.

To my surprise the unit is fully operational as I had set it all up, set the parameters, then turned on the lathe at a belt setting of 570rpm ( Nova 3000 8 speed lathe). The reciprocating cutter works, but I could not make any trial cuts due the missing flat cutter tool rest. The missing item is merely a flat plate with one threaded hole for the modular tool posts, similar to a Sorby modular tool rest box platform.

It is a bit of a unicorn, and I can't find much information about it. The sum of it is below.

• Article in AAW Woodturner
• United States Patent

I've not used this device, so I cannot speak to how good it is.