How To Articles

  • Lathe Maintenance by Scott MedoriLathe Maintenance by Scott Medori
    I found my banjo getting sticky, quill tightening up on my tailstock, and, of late, my Jacob’s chuck had spun in the tailstock when using a Forstner bit. Time to give my lathe some TLC. After researching, I came up with this maintenance list. Check all mounting bolts- they vibrate loose. Blow out belts, pulleys, bedways, motor, ...
  • Turning a crooked walking stick By Howard KingTurning a crooked walking stick By Howard King
    Our fellow woodturning member, Dr. John Sowell, found a very crooked stick that he visualized could possibly be a “walking stick”. It was about two inches in diameter and long enough to fit perfectly to his six foot six inch frame (five foot eighteen inches he would always announce when asked his height). He asked ...
  • 3D Printed Tailstock Quill Impeller for Wood Lathes By Brent Sobotka3D Printed Tailstock Quill Impeller for Wood Lathes  By Brent Sobotka
    Original Concept Credit: This design is based on an idea originally ...
  • Multi-axis Weed Pot Using the Dux Chuck by Bob GrinsteadMulti-axis Weed Pot Using the Dux Chuck by Bob Grinstead
    Here is an easy and fun offset turning project, “Fan” Weed Pots using Jim Duxbury’s Dux Chuck. There are plans on our web site showing how to make this chuck: https://www.worldwidewoodturners.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/duxchuck.jpg Start out with a ¾” x 3-¼” x 4″ board. Draw a 3″ circle, centered on the 3-¼” direction and offset in the 4″ direction leaving about ...
  • In Memorium by Joaquin JuataiIn Memorium by Joaquin Juatai
    In my opinion, one of the most sacred duties that a woodturner is tasked with is creating a funerary urn. To be entrusted with the final resting place of the remains of a loved one can feel a little daunting. Very simply, an urn is a lidded box or vessel. From there, the sky is the ...
  • Making the Sun Rise Design Ring by Roger WollamMaking the Sun Rise Design Ring by Roger Wollam
    Editor’s note: This design is a “double segmented” piece. The insert design is, itself, a segmented ring that is sliced and inserted into the segmented bowl. To find the exact size of everything, I start out drawing out the outside shape of the segmented insert. For this example, the dimensions are 2 ½” by 1 ½”. ...
  • Thin Walls and Piercing with Matt HarberThin Walls and Piercing with Matt Harber
    If you would like your own hardcopy of this description, click here Thin Wall Tips: Shape exterior contours first. Shape interior contours to consistently match exterior contours. Wet wood can be more easily thinned, it is more ...
  • Lathe Drilling Helper by Bob GrinsteadLathe Drilling Helper by Bob Grinstead
    When drilling on the lathe, sometimes it is hard to turn the tailstock wheel. This will make it a lot easier by moving the handle out to the maximum width for your lathe. This can decrease the force needed to drill with large ...
  • How to Turn a Billiard Ball by Shannon DunlapHow to Turn a Billiard Ball by Shannon Dunlap
    Go to the hardware store and get a 4- in. PVC coupling. It is double ended and has two rubber inserts, so it’s like getting 2 for one. Take the cap off ...
  • Plan Design Board by Michel RichardPlan Design Board by Michel Richard
    Go to the bottom to watch the video. Plan Design Board Set-Up Plan Design Board includes ...

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