Lathe projects can be a quick source of pride. Many take shape before you know it, while others come together with time but provide learning opportunities. Whether you’re searching for that almost instant gratification of a woodturning lathe project or you want to grow your skills, this article has plenty of ideas to take for a spin.
If you’re shopping for a machine, comparing lathe brands and models is another important step in finding the right fit for your shop and the projects you want to make. Laguna Tools dealer Woodcraft offers good deals on lathes, and a wide selection of high-quality woodworking tools to outfit your shop.In this article, we’ll cover beginner and advanced projects, but rest assured, nothing here is out of your reach with the right woodworking lathe tools and a little patience. Lathes can be intimidating to beginning woodworkers, but with the proper PPE, and some hands-on learning, you’ll gain confidence and maybe get covered in wood shavings too.
We start by discussing turning kits, which provide an array of fun projects to try. From there, we’ll explore must-have kitchen implements and fun holiday gifts. You’ll also find inspiration for bowls, boxes, bats, and so much more. Read on for awesome lathe project ideas.
1. Wood Turning Kits
Perhaps the easiest and fastest way to knock out an awesome woodturning lathe project is to use a kit. Pens are a popular turning kit. These pen kits come with all the necessary elements, like the tip, clip, springs, barrels, and a set of instructions. You provide the wood, the lathe, and a set of woodworking lathe tools. Pens turn and assemble quickly and make great gifts for just about anyone. Choose from a variety of styles for pens, pencils, styluses, and more.
Turning kits don’t stop at writing implements. Find kits for anything from seam rippers to duck calls. There are kits for many practical kitchen utensils, such as pizza cutters, coffee and ice cream scoops, wine stoppers, and bottle openers. More complex kits for salt & pepper shakers are also available. Discover pen turning kits for your Laguna Lathe by visiting Woodcraft online.
2. Spoons and Spatulas
Carved spoons are popular bench projects for good reason. They’re easy to make, you learn worthwhile skills, and you can dip into your scrap wood pile for stock. Turning spoons on a lathe is like turning a spindle with one wide end. Off the lathe, you carve the bowl and finish shaping at the disk sander.
Turning a spatula is another awesome turning project even faster than turning a spoon, since you won’t have to carve anything. While turning spindles for kitchen utensils, try your hand at chopsticks or honey dippers. These projects make great gifts to batch-make for the cooks in your life.
3. Christmas Ornaments
There is no better time to make gifts than around the holidays. While you’re in the shop cranking out presents like a North Pole elf, why not brighten the seasonal festivities with a handmade ornament for your tree? These special holiday trimmings are quick and simple to make, but like most turning projects, you’re in control of the complexity. Make them as cheerful and colorful as you like. Red wood is an obvious go-to color, but you can also paint or dye them to customize your design.
Spinning tops are another fast and fun lathe project. These classic toys are customizable in shape and color, and a good exercise on the lathe. A top’s tiny size requires finesse and patience to achieve the perfect shape with a sharp point that spins and spins.
4. Tool Handles
While many projects come off the lathe finished, turning can also augment your other woodworking, such as shop-made dowels, wheels for toy trucks, and tool handles. Replace a chisel’s cracked handles with those you’ve freshly spun or make new tools from available gardening gear kits.
Beyond making tool handles, you can turn pulls and knobs for boxes, drawers, and cabinet doors. Ditch the expensive hardware for unique, custom handles that adorn your furniture projects. What’s more, making pulls on a woodturning lathe develops your eye for design by teaching proportion and scale.
5. Bowls
Most projects discussed above are forms of a spindle. Turned bowls are a different kind of lathe project that requires specific woodworking lathe tools and a particular procedure. Small bowls turned from dried bowl blanks are a great place to start. After learning the basics of forming the outside, flipping it around to hollow out the inside, and then back again, you’ll be ready to move to more advanced bowl turning.
Unlike many lathe projects that are quick to finish, bowls turned from green wood take some time. You start by roughing out the shape, then set the bowl aside for some months to dry before finalizing it. Bowls with live edges are another beautiful example of what you can do at the lathe.
6. Turned Boxes
When you think of wooden boxes, rectangular containers with hinged lids may spring to mind. But that’s what makes round boxes such an awesome project idea for the lathe. Turned boxes require a bit more practice since the lids have rabbets that fit snugly into the box cavity. Nevertheless, its size and shape are limited only by your imagination.
Small boxes will test your finesse for fitting small parts. To crank up the creativity, try turning complementary wood species for the box and lid, glue-up your own wood block to turn, or try out cast resin turning.
7. Vases
Rather than turning a utilitarian tool handle or spinning up a handmade holiday gift, try creating an eye-catching centerpiece. Wood vases are a wonderful way to use reclaimed wood while making a gorgeous accent to any home style. These projects can bring warmth and organic shape to your mantle or dining room table. While making them requires specialized woodworking lathe tools, wood vases aren’t expensive to make.
But it requires time and patience to achieve the beauty and grace associated with them. Start by making small vases with various shapes and curves for practical decor to build your skill and confidence. Once you’ve had the practice, step up to larger vases, or try making an urn.
8. Rolling Pins
For the bakers in your life, make a rolling pin. These beloved kitchen utensils used for rolling out pie and pastry doughs are a great turning project. Most often made from maple, beechwood, or cherry, turning one reveals gorgeous grain patterns. Rolling pins are relatively easy to turn, but they aren’t as basic as it may seem at first glance. Making the cylindrical center and customizing the handle shape can be a challenge.
Turn a traditional rolling pin from one solid blank or use a kit. To change things up, try making a French rolling pin that tapers at the ends.
9. Baseball Bats
The sports fans out there will enjoy turning a baseball bat. Made of ash or hard maple, these hardwood hitters are a great project to practice scale. You’ll need access to a full-size woodturning lathe or a midi-lathe with an extension bed to accept a bat’s length. For a look at Laguna’s larger woodworking machines and other shop equipment, check out Laguna SuperMax Tools at Woodcraft. From there, sharp tools and an eye for details such as the subtle taper and a good-size grip will do it.
Consider making a smaller-scale baseball bat before taking a swing at a regulation size. If you’re less of a jock and more into rock, try turning a pair of drumsticks.
10. Chair and table legs
One of the more satisfying things to do on a lathe is to turn multiple identical parts, like legs for tables and chairs or a chair’s backrest spindles. It’s dizzying how many designs and details could be found in a single leg. They can range from straight to tapered or practical to ornate. The design is up to you. Once you have it, transfer your design to a story stick and use that to make each mating piece.
In terms of turning parts for furniture, wood stools up the ante. With these projects, you don’t stop at the turned legs; you’re also making the stretchers and the seat. Though they may be challenging, turning your own stool is quite rewarding.
Get to Work on a Woodturning Lathe
As you can see, there is no shortage of great projects to make on a lathe. Whether you’re turning kits for kitchen utensils or shaping graceful vases, you’ll always have a good reason to make some shavings. For further inspiration or perhaps instruction, try a turning class. Check out the schedule at your local Woodcraft for more information.
Woodcraft Supply
Since 1928, Woodcraft Supply has been a trusted resource for woodworkers, offering quality tools, supplies, education, and project inspiration. Woodcraft serves makers of all skill levels through stores across the United States and Woodcraft.com. Whether you're turning your first bowl or tackling your next big shop project, Woodcraft is there to help you make it happen.
