How to Make a Wooden Bobbin Holder

In addition to being a wood worker, I am a bobbin lace maker. And, like any other art form it has its own tools and gadgets unique to lacemaking. I'm thrilled that I can make some of my own lace tools using my Proxxon tools.

Tools and Supplies for Making the Bobbin Holder

• Length of ¾" x 1/8" hardwood
• 9" round elastic cord
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TMB 115
• Proxxon Disc Sander 250/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E

Instructions for Making the Bobbin Holder

1. Measure and mark a 6" length of the hardwood.
   
2. Cut the hardwood to length using either the bandsaw or the Proxxon Table Saw FET.
   
3. If you are making more than one bobbin holder, use painter's tape to hold the pieces together while completing the Steps 4 through 7. This helps ensure consistent cuts and drilling so the pieces are exact duplicates. It also eliminates repeated measuring and marking.
4. Sand the ends using the disc sander.
   
5. Measure and mark the notches and holes using this schematic.
   
6. Cut the notches on the bandsaw by making two or three parallel cuts for each notch. The notches can also be cut using the Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460.
   
7. Use the drill press to drill the holes for the elastic cord and the anchor pins. Use a 1/64" Proxxon HHS brad point drill bit for the anchor pin holes, and a 9/64" Proxxon HHS brad point drill bit for the threading holes for the elastic cord.
   
8. Remove the painter's tape, and sand each bobbin holder using the Delta sander. Use progressively finer grits of sandpaper, starting with 150 and ending with 330 or 400. You want to achieve a glass-like finish so the fine threads used in lacemaking will not catch on the wood.
   
9. Polish with paste wax.
10. Thread the elastic cord through the holes, and tie the ends in a secure knot.

Carole

Lacemaking Tools Turned on Micro Lathe

Besides working with mixed media and papercrafting projects, I also make bobbin lace. Bobbin lace is made by hand, and is one of the ways lace was made before machines. And, just like papercrafting and mixed media work, I love the tools!! I used my Proxxon Micro Woodturning Lathe to make these lace tools.

These are two varieties of needlepins—one with a straight needle and one with a bent needle. They each began as a 1/2" oak dowel rod.

Here you can see the dowel mounted on my lathe, and the beginning shaping of one of the needlepins. I'm using a roughing gouge to establish the basic shape that I want.

Next, I fine tune the piece with a spindle gouge and a skew tool. Here I'm using the spindle gouge.

When the piece is completely shaped, I move on to sanding, which is done with the piece on the lathe. I hold a small piece of sandpaper in my hand and gently move it over and under the wood. To achieve a satin smooth finish, I use progressively finer grits of sandpaper, generally started with 150 or 220 and ending with 440. 

After the sanding process, I remove the finished piece from the lathe with the end pieces still attached. I then use my Proxxon Scroll Saw to part off the scrap. Using the scroll saw rather than completely parting off on the lathe eliminates any torn end grain.

I finished these lace tools with a tinted resin coating. Now they're on my lace pillow ready to go to work.

Carole