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Turning a Base...

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Turning a Base...

#1

Turning a Base...

Tony - Memphis

>I'm thinking about turning a base for a paintbrush holder I am building my wife. What I'm thinking is about 1 1/2" thick and around 4" diam. I'm very new to turning, and have never turned anything like this before. What would be the best method? I was thinking I could screw the blank to my faceplate attachment. Is this a bowl gouge job? If so, I'll have to get one. I designed the base as a square, but it seems like it might be easier (perhaps!) and may look better round. Anyway, thanks for the help. I'd like to just put an ogee shape on the top edge and leave the bottom straight sided. I will then hollow the bottom and fill it full of lead to keep the thing from being tippy.

Oh, maple is the wood I'm using.

Tony

Re: Turning a Base...

#2

Re: Turning a Base...

John Lucas

>Tony

If you want to turn it square glue scrap wood on the edges so your actually turning a round piece. Then use your table saw or bandsaw to remove the waste pieces. I use a paper joint to do the same thing and then use a chisel to pop the waste areas off.

Depending on the shape a you might be able to use other tools. when I first started turning I made lots of clocks that resemble what your talking about. I used scrapers and spindle gouges.

A bowl gouge will make it easier and you should never pass up a chance to get a new tool. that would be breaking the woodturner code.

Re: Turning a Base...

#3

Re: Turning a Base...

Tony - Memphis

>Thanks. Basically, I just want to take a chunk of maple and turn it round and turn an ogee type curve on it. Something like a base for a lamp. I do need to have a bowl gouge for general use, so I may pick one up and give this a shot. Thanks!

Tony

Re: Turning a Base...

#4

Re: Turning a Base...

Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA

>Hi Tony

If I were doing this, and I frequently do for bun feet and the like, I would use a faceplate as you suggest. Rough the thing round on a bandsaw so that all you really need to do to get it round is trim it up a bit. Adding in the ogee is a matter of coming in on what will be the top and working your way out to the edge at the bottom. In other words, you are going in the opposite direction of what you would in spindle turning.

You can get by with a spindle gouge for this, but if you really want a bowl gouge, then you need one (nudge nudge wink wink). To finish off the bottom, if you do not have a chuck, screw a piece of waste wood to your faceplate, and turn a tenon on it. This assumes that there will be a round hole in middle for a post. A snug fit will allow you to use friction to drive the piece, although you will need to make light cuts. If not, then face off the waste block flat, and very carefully center your work piece up and stick it fast with double sided tape. Use the tailstock for support for as long as possible, and then remove it for the last cuts at the center.

Good luck with it.

Bill

Re: Turning a Base...

#5

Thanks Bill!

Tony - Memphis

>I'm really not much of a turner, so it sounds like a bowl gouge will be a new addition to my arsenal of wood wrecking utensils! I'll practice on some scraps first. I did buy a Talon chuck not too long ago. That's been nice to have.

Tony

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