I turn it as fast as I turn wood, at the highest speed my lathe delivers. Initially I use a gouge, finishing with a skew. Sanding is done wet with paper starting at 400 and going through 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 (put an old towel over the ways)and at the same high speed. For final finish, I use Meguires finest automotive finish or Novus polish. A trick is to round over the corners of the blank on a disc sander prior to turning.