[IC] Handmade wood handled keypullers

[nubbinator]

I'm big into experimenting and trying new things (just look at my signature) and one of the things I've wanted was a wood handle keypuller.  I will be turning a few for myself, but was wondering if anyone else would be interested in one.  Right now I have some walnut, cherry, birch, and maple that I will be cutting square and turning on a lathe into rounds.  From there, each will be shaped uniquely.  I have some wire on the way that will be bent and then epoxied into the handle.  I was planning on giving the option for unstained, Danish oil, or boiled linseed oil as finish options.

If there's enough interest, I'll go ahead and turn a bunch of them, but if interest is low, I'll only make them for myself.

Interest Check Form

Updated with current handles.  Each will be different and you can pick the one you like best.

Walnut with natural Danish oil:



Birch, top middle two natural Danish oil, third one down from top boiled linseed oil, the other three unfinished:



Maple, top natural Danish oil, bottom three unfinished:



Just leave a comment if you're interested and if you have any questions.  Also, please tell me what you think a fair price for these would be. 

[stoic-lemon]

Walnut and cherry would be nice.

[SpAmRaY]

Always interested in another unique keypuller!

[theeattre]

walnut/cherry looks really nice. what are you thinking price wise?

[Rayne]

I would be in for a cherry one

[nubbinator]

walnut/cherry looks really nice. what are you thinking price wise?

I was actually looking to get some input on what people think a fair price would be.  I know my materials cost and I know it will take me a bit of work to do, but I also don't want to price them outside of what people are willing to pay.  The wood used would also factor into the price a little.  For example, walnut and cherry are about twice as expensive as birch and maple, so they would cost a little more than birch and maple.  In general, I was thinking around $15-22+shipping depending on wood and finish.

[Rayne]

I would like too see exactly what they will look like, but I would probably pay $15-20

[nubbinator]

I would like too see exactly what they will look like, but I would probably pay $15-20

Here's a rough idea of what one can look like:



The paperclip is just in there to give you an idea.  I was getting the lathe ready today and did a test one with some cheap fir or pine from Home Depot.  The chisels turned out to be a little dull right now, so it's a little rough.  Future turns will look better.  The piece also doesn't have any oil or stain, so finished pieces will look different too.

Of course, each turn will be unique, but if given an idea of what someone wanted, I could try and make an approximation of it.

[kmiller8]

I would like too see exactly what they will look like, but I would probably pay $15-20

Here's a rough idea of what one can look like:

Show Image

The paperclip is just in there to give you an idea.  I was getting the lathe ready today and did a test one with some cheap fir or pine from Home Depot.  The chisels turned out to be a little dull right now, so it's a little rough.  Future turns will look better.  The piece also doesn't have any oil or stain, so finished pieces will look different too.

Of course, each turn will be unique, but if given an idea of what someone wanted, I could try and make an approximation of it.

das coo man. I think I'm going to pop you a PM with an Idea I have OuO

[BunnyLake]

id take one

[Toad1677]

I would take a cherry or walnut one. Maybe both depending on price.

[SeriouSSpotS]

Be in for one.

[nubbinator]

New handles done today:

Birch with boiled linseed oil (first coat, needs more):



Birch with Danish oil:

[pichu23]

looks good

[Rayne]

these look really good!

[jabar]

those look like hookah hose handles

[nubbinator]

Here's pics of the handles made so far:

Walnut with natural Danish oil:



Birch, top middle two natural Danish oil, third one down from top boiled linseed oil, the other three unfinished:



Walnut, top natural Danish oil, bottom three unfinished:

[Lbeuol]

Wow, I'm going to have to echo everyone else those look pretty amazing. Sign me up!

[SpAmRaY]

They look very nice but how functional will they be?

Does oiling them cause them to be slick or anything?

I really like the look of the very first picture.

On the wire are you just going to attempt to match an existing keypullers bends etc?

I'm just asking out of curiosity, I would probably buy one just to have in my collection whether or not I used it.

[nubbinator]

They look very nice but how functional will they be?

Does oiling them cause them to be slick or anything?

I really like the look of the very first picture.

On the wire are you just going to attempt to match an existing keypullers bends etc?

I'm just asking out of curiosity, I would probably buy one just to have in my collection whether or not I used it.

I'm planning on them being fully functional.  Unless something goes horrible wrong with them, they will be able to pull key caps.  I really wanted a wood key puller for myself, so I have every intention of them being functional.  I also wouldn't sell them unless I knew they worked, so each will be tested before it's sent out.

The wood absorbs the linseed and/or tung oil, so there isn't any feeling of slickness unless they've been over-oiled, in which case, it can be easily fixed.  I'm also thinking of tossing a topcoat of varnish cut with linseed oil over the linseed oil to seal it some.

Yes.  I got the same diameter wire as most key pullers and will be bending it the best I can to match other key pullers out there. 

[kelske]

These look awesome, would definitely grab one. Pulling keys with class

[The_Beast]

Looks excellent, how high of a grit are you sanding too? Have you thought of a CA glue finish?

[nubbinator]

Looks excellent, how high of a grit are you sanding too? Have you thought of a CA glue finish?

I was doing to 220 and am planning on going down to 320.  That said, the wood isn't showing scratches or feeling rough from the 220.  Then again, I'm roughing up the sandpaper and filling in some of the space with sawdust first. 

I haven't thought of a CA finish.  I'm not sure how well it would work on something like these.  I know CA is usually for pens and some people do it on bowls they spin, but those are much simpler surfaces.

[The_Beast]

Looks excellent, how high of a grit are you sanding too? Have you thought of a CA glue finish?

I was doing to 220 and am planning on going down to 320.  That said, the wood isn't showing scratches or feeling rough from the 220.  Then again, I'm roughing up the sandpaper and filling in some of the space with sawdust first. 

I haven't thought of a CA finish.  I'm not sure how well it would work on something like these.  I know CA is usually for pens and some people do it on bowls they spin, but those are much simpler surfaces.

Yea, you do have a lot of relief cuts that might make applying a CA finish a lot harder. You pretty much have to do it as it's spinning, but from what I've seen it's really fast to do, easy, polishes like a champ and is really tough.

BTW, how big is your lathe?

[nubbinator]

Yea, you do have a lot of relief cuts that might make applying a CA finish a lot harder. You pretty much have to do it as it's spinning, but from what I've seen it's really fast to do, easy, polishes like a champ and is really tough.

BTW, how big is your lathe?

That's what I've seen with it too, I just haven't seen anyone do it on more complex pieces.  I could give it a shot on a piece of pine, but I'm a little wary of it.

My lathe is decent sized.  I can 3' on it and I believe it will let me turn something up to 4' or 5'.  Of  course, I'm cutting it way down to roughly 6" pieces that I'm turning.

[The_Beast]

Yea, you do have a lot of relief cuts that might make applying a CA finish a lot harder. You pretty much have to do it as it's spinning, but from what I've seen it's really fast to do, easy, polishes like a champ and is really tough.

BTW, how big is your lathe?

That's what I've seen with it too, I just haven't seen anyone do it on more complex pieces.  I could give it a shot on a piece of pine, but I'm a little wary of it.

My lathe is decent sized.  I can 3' on it and I believe it will let me turn something up to 4' or 5'.  Of  course, I'm cutting it way down to roughly 6" pieces that I'm turning.

It's worth a try at least


My buddy has one that's about the same size. I kinda want a small one to do pens and stuff at home or on my pouch, but they're often times more expensive that the larger ones.

[nubbinator]

It's worth a try at least


My buddy has one that's about the same size. I kinda want a small one to do pens and stuff at home or on my pouch, but they're often times more expensive that the larger ones.

You should definitely do it.  It's fun and kind of an organic experience.  I go in not really knowing what I will make the finished piece like and make it up as I go along.

[The_Beast]

It's worth a try at least


My buddy has one that's about the same size. I kinda want a small one to do pens and stuff at home or on my pouch, but they're often times more expensive that the larger ones.

You should definitely do it.  It's fun and kind of an organic experience.  I go in not really knowing what I will make the finished piece like and make it up as I go along.

I have sooo many other things on my plate right now. It would be nice since I'll be renting a house next year to set up a mini shop of my own to do things while I'm at college, but tools are so expensive

[baldgye]

Those look really nice, would defo be up for one that was less ornate and more 'worn' if that makes sense...


Edit: that top one really looks like a dildo lol

[stoic-lemon]

These look great. I like the slightly less fancy ones too. I'd definitely be in for 2.

[nubbinator]

The first one is done.  I was experimenting with the best way to anchor the wire into the wood and I think I found something that will work well.  I need to let it fully harden, but it worked great when I just tested it on my keyboard.  I put it up for sale in the classifieds

[SpAmRaY]

The first one is done.  I was experimenting with the best way to anchor the wire into the wood and I think I found something that will work well.  I need to let it fully harden, but it worked great when I just tested it on my keyboard.

Show Image

Lookin good nubs

[reaper]

Yah, that's some fancy handle right there.

[stoic-lemon]

That looks perfect.

[nubbinator]

Updated pics of handles in various states of finish.

Birch (all finished):



Cherry (two on the left are finished, five on the right need to be finished).  I tried making these "more simple" since some people asked me to do so:



Maple (all but the one on the right are done)

[Toad1677]

They all look awesome

[SeriouSSpotS]

They all look awesome, but I really like the plainer looking ones.

[stoic-lemon]

The simpler ones are the best, I think.

[Photoelectric]

You should consider colorful stains too, like transparent light green or orange, or gray.  Wood is such beautiful material.  Good work with these!

[osi]

I like the simpler ones too. I would love too see an ebony/mahogany or ebony/cherry

[jonathanyu]

I like the simpler ones too. I would love too see an ebony/mahogany or ebony/cherry

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