How To Articles

  • Mirror Finish with Polymerized Tung Oil by Dane ChandlerMirror Finish with Polymerized Tung Oil by Dane Chandler
    The first step to getting a great finish on your turned vessel begins with the finish off the gouge and skew. Tool marks, tearout, and excessive sanding are a detriment to great finish and must be avoided. Begin sanding at 220 grit and finish with 320/340 grit; sanding in an oscillating ...
  • Making a 4 Column Spiral Finial by Howard KingMaking a 4 Column Spiral Finial by Howard King
    Story and photos by Howard King Most of this process is based on work by Stuart Moritimer. Start with a ...
  • Turning a Multi-Axis Urchin Ornament with Matt HarberTurning a Multi-Axis Urchin Ornament with Matt Harber
    If you would like your own hardcopy of this description, click here Turning a Multi-Axis “urchin” Ornament Based on Videos by Alan Stratton published on his “As Wood Turns” YouTube channel Alan Stratton’s videos: Using the octagon method ...
  • Heart Shaped Shallow Bowls by Rita DuxburyHeart Shaped Shallow Bowls by Rita Duxbury
    First you need a blank of wood about 6″ x 6″ x 1″ thick. Draw a heart or whatever shape you would like to have on a piece of 6″ x 6″ paper and cut it out for a template. Remember, long thin or pointed protrusions will be hard to turn and can break off. Place ...
  • Cranes Turned With a Paul Howard Style by Waukeene VinsonCranes Turned With a Paul Howard Style by Waukeene Vinson
    Story and photos by Waukeene Vinson This offset jig will give you about a 3/4″ offset each direction of the center line. I chose to drill the tenon hole 1-3/8″ in diameter. It could be larger or smaller. The 1-3/8″ works out well to have enough wood to attach a 2-1/2″ to 3″ diameter ...
  • Bandsaw Blade Width to Cutting Radius with Wayne ClasperBandsaw Blade Width to Cutting Radius with Wayne Clasper
    Have you ever wondered if you were using the correct bandsaw blade to cut a particular curve. Wayne Clasper would like you to know the width blade you should use to get an expected radius. To that end, Wayne offers the following chart.
  • Creating a Tippy Top with Kade Bolger.Creating a Tippy Top with Kade Bolger.
    During the World Wide Wood Turners Meeting for 2023-10-18, Kade Bolger gave a demo on creation of Tippy Tops. If you are interested in creating a Tippy Top, you can watch the video of the week, in conjunction with the graphic below that explains how you need to cut the top to position ...
  • Making Shellac …Making Shellac ...
    Folks, this article is for the woodworker that likes to use Shellac. Shellac is a great way to finish wood, but, it can have a problem. The problem being, the shelf life of an open can of shellac is about 3 years. Once a can of shellac is unsealed, it begins degrading. Three ...
  • Spiral Ribbon Finial with Matt Harber
    If you would like your own hardcopy of this description, click here Steps (page 1): Turn a tenon on the blank. Mount it in a scroll chuck. Drill the blank. I typically use a 1/2″ drill, to the depth of 3″. Physically, measure and mark the depth of the inside hole. Use a live center to ...
  • Cross Drilled Christmas Ornament by Tim HatchCross Drilled Christmas Ornament by Tim Hatch
    Based off WALT WAGER’s Bird Cage Ornament Walts Bird Cage Ornament Block of Wood2 1/4 X 2 ¼ Holes3/8 Inch Center for Finials and Top 1 3/8 Inch Forstner Bit Tim’s Cross Drilled Ornament Block of Wood 1 ¾ X 1 ¾ Holes3/8 Inch for Finials and Top 1 1/8 For Cross Drilled Ornament Or 1 1/4 For Hollow Ornament When I first started turning a ...

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