20 Woodturning Projects for Beginners

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Few shaft discover as much intimidation into the nitty-gritty of founder and advanced woodworker alike as the common lathe . However , this hesitation is mostly mislay , aslathesare all bark and no bite . While it is n’t an easy skill to headmaster , do n’t let the large size , the abrasive sound or the slew of pilot wood chips deter you . All you need to get start is a few beginner - friendly projects and the right tool ; we ’ve already researched and testedthe good lathesfor you . you could also check out our guide towoodturning for beginnersto jumpstart your progress .

Like most thing in woodworking , control the fine art of woodturning is about betroth in a process of logical , fertile challenges that end in a product you are proud of , so do n’t be too intemperate on yourself the first few metre ! Because your resourcefulness is the only limitation on what you’re able to make with a lathe , we ’ve constringe down the good beginner lathe projects to help oneself you get started .

wood turning projects

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1. Bowls

Bowls are one of the good Sir Henry Wood turn projects to construct foundational skills with because you may make them as childlike or complex as you like . Large projects on the lathe are often harder to finish , so you may initiate with pocket-size bowls and put to work your way up . Plus , there are n’t any hard and fast rules for what a bowl should look like , so you may move around your mistakes into “ innovative art ” and find imaginative use for them . Then , after a few tries you ’ll have a gracious , clear timeline of your skill advance . Bowl gauges likethis one available on Amazonare of the essence lathe putz , as they are various and can be used for a variety of beginner projects .

2. Wooden Bangles and Bracelets

Wooden wristband and bangle are among the best beginner woodturning projects because they ’re fairly large and they finish nicely . Sanding is just as much a part of woodturning as it is traditional woodworking , and bangle offer a great way to practice your skills on arch wood . Also , you do n’t need a large apparatus to make bangles or wristband , which is why they ’re a popular item for craftsmanship sellers . If you ’re wondering if you’re able to make money with woodturning , the answer is sure enough yes when it comes to popular , telling products that are n’t too demanding , such as bowls and bauble .

3. Candle Holder

Candle bearer are a heavy project to test out once you ’re ready for medium - sized projects . Although standard candle holders add up in all shapes and size , you could practice the lathe to make marvellous stems with swooping curves that make for stunning centerpieces . Although the market for candle holder may be harder to trap down than that for bowls , this is another practicable product if you ’re look to make money with your lathe . If you want to take your homemade attainment to the next level , you may render your hand at making your own candles with a curatedcandle - score kit .

4. Wooden Spoons

Wooden spoons are a great room to show off your skills as well as the natural beauty of the wood because they offer motley perspectives on the food grain given the fact that the handle is cylindric and the ‘ bowl ’ part of the spoon is flatten . Another reason why spoons are good for beginners is because walnut , cherry , and maple , which are some of the best species for woodturning , are also ideal for wooden spoons that require to be uncompromising enough to defy use in the kitchen and porous enough to have afood - safe finish .

5. Handles for Anything and Everything

Woodturning is a complementary acquirement in that you may often use it to enhance subsist DIY passions — or even regular activities like giving - giving by adding a personal touch with custom - made handles . Like all the projects on our listing , you could approach make handles with as much simplicity or worldliness as possible , which have them ideal for getting started and valuate your progress . Everything fromkitchen knivesto nursing bottle opener and pots and Pan have wooden handles , and you may easily make your own with little to no prior experience . you’re able to tot another academic degree of customization by making intricate engraving with awood - burning tools .

6. Rings

Rings , like bracelets and bangles , have relatively unproblematic pattern and are suitable for practicing because they do n’t need a large amount of material . However , ring are a bit harder to make than bangles because they ’re smaller and take more precision , making them among the little woodturning projects that are ideal for practicing ascendence of your front . Once you have made a few rings that you ’re satisfied with using common turning wood such as maple and cherry tree , you could experiment with some rare or more challenging forest species such as bubinga , which is fabulously intemperately and will require a high rate of speeding on the lathe , or softer woods that are more likely to tear out .

7. Wooden Beads

Like rings , wooden beadsare a praiseworthy pick for tiro because small woodturning project are easier in general . They ’re also much less expensive if you make a fault , which , after all , is what you ’re theorise to do when you ’re learning . astragal are an effective way to practise make various shapes symmetric and smooth . Beads are also a marvelous agency to practice hollowing out the middle of your project , which you may not be able to do with anelectric drillif the bead is curved .

8. Round Boxes

Boxes may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you remember of wood lathe project ideas because they tend to be square , but that ’s exactly what makes round - turn box seat so special . orotund loge are serious project for beginner and intermediate turners to undertake because the fact that the box and lid have to snugly fit together means make them exercises your spacial balance skills . Also , turned box are often made from a single piece of wood , which means you also have to function on turn thin , easygoing - to - respite part , such as the lip that holds the lid in place .

9. Drumsticks

drumstick , although round-eyed , are a good project for those concerned in amend their woodturning skills because both of the self-governing pieces have to be nearly identical in weight , conformation , size , and palpate . Furthermore , drumsticks usually have a slight wax light , which fall in them an approachable and pleasurable element of difficulty . In that vein , even if you do n’t work the drum , making drumsticks for someone else is a paying attention gift for a friend who does .

10. Mortar and Pestle

Making a mortar and muller is a good direction for a father to step into more complex labor that allow for more design freedom . Making a trench mortar and pounder requires a wooden-headed , durable trough with a sturdy nucleotide , which is the trench mortar , and a placid , ergonomic crushing tool , which is the pestle ; both items have to be food safe and able to defy substantial insistency , which is why they ’re often made from stone . However , strict enduringness standards also give a novice turner an excuse to venture into the earth of hardwood and attempt using a more modern species , such as olive wood .

11. Bottle Stopper

Bottle conversation stopper are perfect for tiro woodturners who want to grow recede - cost , beautiful natural endowment and Cartesian product . Bottle conversation stopper are also idealistic for masses who are completely new to the lathe because the part that you actually put into the bottle , which does all the significant work , is n’t made on the lathe and has to bepurchased . This takes the pressure off the turner to have a perfect fit and gives them the distance to try their hand at make different cast and sizes to put on top of the stopper .

12. Wooden Plate

Another useful woodturning project for initiate and intermediate turner is making a wooden plate . The process of create a collection plate is similar to that of a bowl , but ask a bit more preciseness in most case , score it a legitimate forward motion from turning a bowl . plate tend to be wider than bowls , and thinner as well . However , working with larger projects is part of advance as a turner , and plates are a voguish place to start because they ’re functional and childlike , as far as vainglorious projects go . Also , unlike drumsticks , a bit of variation in a circle of handmade plates , whether they ’re made of Ellen Price Wood or clay , can lend them a desirable sense of character .

13. Wooden Vase

Wooden vases are popular woodturning projects because they ’re functional and beautiful . However , before you ship on a orotund - scurf vase , seek to make some small I ; large vases are among the more challenging woodturning projects and are time - consuming . little wooden vessel , on the other hand , are useful for practicing make different shapes and curves in the same piece .

14. Succulent Planter

Succulent planters are one of the easiest lathe projects because they are modest enough that you may use a drill or drill press to hollow out the inside , where the succulent will sit . as luck would have it , learninghow to make perfect 90 degree hole without a drill pressisn’t too much hassle . Not having to deal with the inside of the lathe reduce the level of difficulty by a significant leeway , which mean all the Henry Hubert Turner has to center on is make the outside smooth . Bowls and other bloom planters often have a taper or a more complex design , which is another cause why succulent - specific planters are a good place to start .

15. Rolling Pins

Rolling pins are a staple of the woodturning biotic community , and for good reason . They are useful , comparatively easy to make and excellent at expose the natural grain flow of the woodwind . French rolling pins are slimly light to make than their ball - bearing counterparts since they ’re made of a undivided solid cylinder . Conversely , ballock - bearing rolling pins are good for showing off your woodturning skills as you also have to make tailor-make , comfortable handgrip .

16. Cups

cup are great starter projects because they have uncounted the States and are relatively simple to make . Whether you desire something to tope your morning coffee out of or a vessel for your pens and pencil , a Ellen Price Wood - turned loving cup can get the occupation done while look beautiful . Another wonderful thing about making wood - turned cup is that you could pair them with handmade coasters or you could even make a lid on the lathe and change by reversal your cup into a travel mug .

17. Salt and Pepper Shakers or Mills

table salt and capsicum pepper plant Shaker are a okay project to get started with , and you’re able to move on to making your own mills on the lathe soon after making a few shaker . If you cook oft , you know good than anyone that there ’s no such affair as too ready to hand when it come to salinity and pepper , so making a few surplus sets is a useful way to get some use out of your pattern piece .

18. Goblets

Perhaps the only thing better than drinking out of a regal goblet is drinking from one that you made yourself . gratefully , make a goblet on the lathe is n’t too difficult and the process provide numerous opportunities for you to improve on specific accomplishment circle . chalice can be made in all soma and size and with virtually any type of wood , as long as whatever you opt can withstand a thorough cleaning with soap and spicy water .

19. Wooden Pen

Every woodturner remembers their first pen . Making a penitentiary is the perfect combination of precision , elegance , and skill , which is why it ’s a great project for a initiate who ’s ready to take on intermediate - point projection . If you require to sweep up on your skills before bribe apen turning kitand examine your script at have a pen , we ’ve reviewed thebest online carpentry coursesso you do n’t have to do the research .

20. Lamps

Lamps are among the punishing lathe projects a beginner or intermediate can try . Although lamp can be as modest or enceinte as you want , you ’re in all likelihood sound to want to take the chance to show off your skills . Stunning lathe - made lamps have unique , graceful human body and a fluid flavour . Thankfully adding the kindling is as simple as purchase a clean kit , such asthis highly order choice available on Amazon , that take away care of all the pesky wiring for you .

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wood turning projects