Tips, Techniques, Projects and Info

Here's a list of tips, techniques and projects which may be of interest to woodturners. If you would like to write an article or submit a link, send an email to the webmaster.

 

Shop-built sharpening jig by Fine Woodworking's King Heiple (pdf file)

 Dryer Sheet Tips - submitted by Ken Brannock. Did you know they have uses in woodworking?

Turning a Bean Spoon by Roger Austin
In this article, Roger shows how to turn a bean spoon to your specifications and personal taste.

Turning a Weed Pot by Roger Austin
Roger shows how to create a beautiful weed pot using a small stave of wood.

Inside Out Turnings by John Lucas (pdf format)
Learn how to turn those great pieces where the inside of the turning holds the turned image. Many publications have shown pictures but few have told you all the secrets to making these wonderful pieces.

Turned Treasures by Larry Hancock- A series of projects with excellent pictures showing each stage of the turning. Included are:
         Turning a gavel
         Turning a wearable wooden cowboy hat
         Turning a birdhouse ornament
         Turning a long stem goblet
         Turning a wooden crochet hook
         Turning a mushroom
         Turning a textured and colored solid egg
         Turning a finger top with chatter

Spalt your own Wood Several articles on spalting at http://woodturningonline.com 

Turning Tool Handles by John Lucas - Excellent guide in how to make tool handles including dealing with the ferrule. A must read for those who would like to make their own turning tools

Turning Potpourri Lids by Garry Bowes - This article shows a demonstration by Gary in how he uses a couple of jigs to cut parallel lines into a lidded box lid which opens up a hatch-work of holes in the lid. It's fanscinating to see the beauty of the finished product. He is very inventive. Gary also has a gallery page of his turnings.

A Lost Wood Process by Lowell Converse (originally published by the AAW) - This 5 page article examples how to make non-round turnings by inserting scrap pieces of wood between the final segments of a turned piece. The results are very impressive.

Finishing Secrets by Russ Fairfield - This is an extensive 18 page article on finishes for turnings. It covers sanding, different types of finishes and how to use them. This is a must-read for every turner.

A Sharpening System for Woodturning Tools by Brian Clifford - This 9 page article shows you how to build a sharpening jig for your grinder. Excellent project for handy people. Brian has a website dedicated to woodturning and has other jigs and gizmos.

Making a Square Bowl - This article was originally published in the AAW but have been updated with more descriptions and pictures. Very different to have a square bowl and one that looks fun to make.

Make your own compression chuck - This article by Bill Grumbine shows how to make your own chuck. Very easy to make and sure beats buying one new!

Sawing a Log for Bowls - Great article showing how to chainsaw logs into blanks which can be turned into bowls. Lots of pictures make it easy to understand.

Vacuum Chucking

Basics of Vacuum Chucks / Pumps by Bob DeVoe - Excellent 4 page article describing all the details and specifications needed to build a vacuum pump. If you have any interest in vacuum pumps, the is the "bible" for that technique. I've been talking with Teknatool since they support vacuum pumps on their Nova 3000 lathe. They plan to put this article on their web site.

Saw -n- Dust article on Vacuum Chucking - Jim Becker (a frequent contributor to Wood Online) has an article on putting a vacuum chuck on his lathe and a reference to John Tolly who helps people with vacuum chucks and equipment.

VacuuMaster Vacuum Chuck Assembly - This manufacturer has a vacuum chuck assembly that will fit onto any lathe by means of an adapter that fits like a scroll chuck. Very interesting way to connect a vacuum without having to go through the spindle. Allows you to move the vacuum from lathe to lathe also. Here is another webpage that describes the use of the VacuuMaster and shows it in use.

Microwave drying of wood

Using the microwave to dry green rough turned wood by Marshall Gorrow
A test of Microwaving by Dick Veitch
Microwave Drying Wood by Rex Haslip

Detergent drying of wood

Techniques by Ron Kent (long article)

Segmented Turning

Kevn's Woodturnings - by Kevin Neelley (Very thorough web site with tools, jigs, software)
Building and Turning a Segmented Bowl: The "Brick Bowl" by Russell G. Brown (excellent description and all the details to build your own segmented bowl.

baseballcap.pdf