Lathe Turnings

This is a project gone wild due to a lathe in the shop. What happens when you try to build what could have been a simple kitty condo in a shop with a new lathe? 18 columns, a total of 158 beads and 19 balls, among other spindle fanciness, highlight the excesses resulting from a near total lack of design control. Let is hope the cats are impressed.

This platter was turned from walnut and measures about 14 inches in diameter. You only need 4 turning tools for this project. The blank was about 1 1/2 inches thick. Follow along at the link to see how it was turned.

Australian Woodsmith is a practical magazine for all woodworkers. From Issue 21. (Australia)

Australian Woodsmith is a practical magazine for all woodworkers. From Issue 43. Pattern only. (Australia)

My first shot at turning a Sphere on the Lathe was time consuming but it all turned out well in the end, just a matter of checking and rechecking everything and doing it often!! I spent a lot of time drawing everything out before putting tool to wood, I hope this all helps.

This wooden handle was turned for a measuring spoon. Follow along and see how it was done.

People like mushrooms. I am not sure why, but they are a steady seller for me at craft fairs. One of the reasons is that I turn a lot of small ones to sell at about $3.00 each.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a turned darning egg. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

Follow along at the link to see how to make a captive ring baby rattle on the lathe.

To turn the handle of this ice cream scoop a hardwood is recommended.

Follow along at the link and learn how to turn wooden spinning tops on the lathe.

Here are several tools made from allen wrenches, nails and screwdrivers. They are easy to make and quite effective.

Follow along and turn a yoyo. Great for gift giving too.

This plan can be used to construct a simple cup that uses a Segment Design to form a dramatic ring around the cup. Of course, it is not that simple when you consider the total number of pieces involved. The total is 384 pieces if the Segment Design is built from all of its individual parts. It is only 204 pieces if you take advantage of the design to use fewer parts.

At the link you can follow along and see these beautiful spinning tops being made, and perhaps make some yourself.

If you have a lathe and want a new project, perhaps this hat and coat rack combo is for you.

Here is a different way to turn a platter. By Johnny Tolly.

Make your own barrel shaped coin bank on the lathe using these free step-by-step instructions.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing of a finial to be used on a headboard or footboard. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

Here is a project for the woodturner, a tea light holder turned on the lathe. Follow along at the link.

At the link you will find videos as well as full instructions with pictures for turning a bottle stopper.

Get started on this beautiful segmented bowl using these step-by-step instructions.

First we will mount a waste block on the screw chuck. You could also use a small face plate, but I find this less time consuming, and this Glaser screw chuck works real well.

With its tapered inner walls and expansion slots, this shop-made compression chuck will hold round pieces for finish-turning or drilling.

In the old days the column was turned into the round on a lathe, then the rope design cut with wood rasps and sanded smooth a very time-consuming chore. The Revo makes the chore quick and easy, taking about an hour to complete the column. Search the page for the project.

Turn your own custom cabinet knobs using this free tutorial as a guide.

Brush up on your segmented turnings skills and create this beautiful party platter, time to serve up something special!

Piggy Bank...makes a neat turning project. The wood stock is maple. Feet are painted black; ears and nostrils are touched with pink. The two front legs fit holes drilled in the body; back legs are cut to conform to curve and are nailed and glued in place, as shown.

Turn a birch vase by following along with these instructions. Be sure at the end of page 1 to click on -next- to continue to follow along.

At the link you are taken through the step-by-step process of turning a wooden key chain.