First time on a lathe

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DFR

Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2019
Messages
18
Location
Upper Michigan
I have never owned or used a lathe before but needed a hobby to get me through the winter. Jumped in and bought one and attempted a bottle stopper as my first turning. I need input on what I could have done better. Shell wax finish on it.
832A41D4-C68F-4D8C-8774-000A4C835885.jpeg
 
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Welcome aboard. Looking good and anatomically perfect for the stopper. The first piece is the pride of a collection...sort of a keepsake. And says to the Turner...You got the juice....you can do it. Have fun. Be safe...protect your face, eyes and ears.
 
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Congratulations! Bottle stopper looks good. You are well on your way.
Look at www.woodturner.org as it's devoted to woodturning.
Edit- Noticed you are from upper Michigan. The UP by any chance? Not matter, you do need something to carry you through the winter. I was born and raised in Ohio so I know what you mean.
 
Woodchipper said:
Congratulations! Bottle stopper looks good. You are well on your way.
Look at www.woodturner.org as it's devoted to woodturning.
Edit- Noticed you are from upper Michigan. The UP by any chance? Not matter, you do need something to carry you through the winter. I was born and raised in Ohio so I know what you mean.
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Yep I'm a born and bred "Yooper"
 
The stopper looks very nice. I have read a lot about the design of bottle stoppers and the one thing everyone has said, is to stay away from sharp points on the end of the stopper. The reason is that if you pop the end of the stopper with the palm of your hand to seat the stopper it will not be a pleasant experience.

Also, I recommend getting some brass inserts from PTreeUSA, a pack of 10 is $5. Then you can drill a hole a half in diameter and about 5/8 inch deep. Epoxy them in using a 3/8 in by 16 nylon bolt to keep them flush with the end. Then the stopper can be taken apart for cleaning with out hurt the blank.
 
There are always two areas to consider (maybe more) - tool technique and comfort, and design. A local wood turning group can be an enormous aid in both.

For a first effort, the turning is way beyond typical. One observation, can't tell from the picture but the top might be flat. Some will try to make the top gently rounded, some will prefer flat.

Don't hesitate to sketch out possible designs on paper - set yourself a goal to make 5 or 10 different ones. You are limited on the bottom diameter, but you could make some different lengths, wider diameter at the top, curve out and then in again, . . . - they don't have to be equally functional, just start to explore. Poplar or even a piece of 2x2 is excellent wood to gain experience and comfort with tools and to try different designs, as one doesn't worry about the cost of the wood.
 
donstephan said:
There are always two areas to consider (maybe more) - tool technique and comfort, and design. A local wood turning group can be an enormous aid in both.

For a first effort, the turning is way beyond typical. One observation, can't tell from the picture but the top might be flat. Some will try to make the top gently rounded, some will prefer flat.

Don't hesitate to sketch out possible designs on paper - set yourself a goal to make 5 or 10 different ones. You are limited on the bottom diameter, but you could make some different lengths, wider diameter at the top, curve out and then in again, . . . - they don't have to be equally functional, just start to explore. Poplar or even a piece of 2x2 is excellent wood to gain experience and comfort with tools and to try different designs, as one doesn't worry about the cost of the wood.
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Thanks for the tips. I have a supply of hardwood available to use in practicing. I know already that finishing is going to be my challenge.
 
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