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Please note: Woodworking is an inherently dangerous activity. The non-woodworking techniques described here aren't all that safe, either. Sharp tools, powerful motors, big lumps of wood, chemicals, fumes, etc. can cause you serious bodily injury or even death. These pages are NOT meant as a substitute for instruction by a qualified teacher, just as an illustration of how I do certain things. I take no responsibility for any mishaps you may experience during a fit of inspiration. You've been warned.
Photo 1
I started by gluing two strips of maple to the sides of the block of walnut. The walnut is about 1 ¾” thick by 3” wide by 7” long. The maple strips are about 1 ¾” square by 7” long. It’s important that the edges of the walnut block and the glue faces of the maple strips are flat so the joint is strong and the blank doesn’t fly apart while being turned.
Photo 2
Once the glue cured, I cut the blank into a rough circle. Note that the blank is wider than it is long. This is OK, in fact, it’s what I wanted. After the initial turning, there will be small flat areas left on the ends that I will use to remount the blank for the second turning.
In order to facilitate that second turning, I marked the center points on each end of the walnut blank.
Photo 3
I’ve jumped a few steps here – sorry. I used a forstner bit to drill a 1” hole about ½” deep in the center of the top side of the blank to accommodate the jaws of my chuck. Then I turned a dome within a dome on what will be the bottom side, sanded, and used the 1” forstner bit in a drill chuck in my tailstock to drill a ½” deep hole in the center of what will be the bottom of my box…
Page last updated 14 August 2008