Projects made by Ace Members

A few things you can make on a lathe

Here are some project ideas to get you inspired:

• Bowls
• Table legs
• Candleholders
• Rings
• Bells
• Magic wants

Ask the Makers:

Is there anything special to know about Ace’s wood lathe? 

• “The “On” button does not turn the lathe on, but the switch on the side does!” –Will Kasten
• “Be freakishly paranoid about long hair, sleeves, hoodie pulls etc. Getting these caught can be fatal” –Will Kasten
   

What Lathes do

A lathe spins your stock securely so that you can shape it by holding sharp chisels against the stock. You control how much wood is removed by pressing more or less hard. The chisel must be held at the proper angle and orientation to safely shape the spinning stock. You can also adjust the speed of the lathe to accommodate different sized stock, allowing you to shape anything from a thin table leg to a bowl.

About lathe tools and accessories

Wood is secured in between the headstock and tailstock. The motor then spins the wood while tools, resting against the tool rest, shape and cut it. 

Two types of turning

Spindle Work — Wood is wedged between headstock and tailstock. You can shape and cut the side of the wood but you can’t cut the ends because the tailstock is in the way. 

Face Plate Work — Wood is only secured to the headstock by using screw or a “chuck.” This leaves the tailstock end free so that you can carve out wood and make bowls or other vessels.

Learn more about lathe tools on the Lathe Tools post