Before You Start Turning
Woodturning shapes spinning wood against a handheld cutting tool on a lathe. It is a different experience from hand carving, and it has its own safety needs. If you are new to working wood by hand, you may also enjoy our guide to wood carving as a hobby, which needs less equipment.
Two broad styles shape the projects below:
- Spindle turning: the wood is mounted with the grain running along the lathe, as for handles, pens, and spindles.
- Bowl (faceplate) turning: the grain runs across the lathe, as for bowls and platters.
Spindle projects are usually considered gentler to start with, since the pieces are small and the cuts are more straightforward.
Simple First Projects
These projects use small pieces of wood and teach basic tool control.
- Practice cylinders and beads: turning a plain cylinder, then adding beads and coves, builds the fundamental cuts.
- Tool handles: a handle for a screwdriver, chisel, or file is useful and forgiving of small flaws.
- Pens: pen kits are widely used by beginners because they come with instructions and small blanks.
- Bottle stoppers: small, quick, and good for practicing shapes.
- Wooden tops: a fun project that tests how balanced your turning is.
Small offcuts can serve as practice blanks once checked for cracks and fasteners; our scrap wood craft ideas explain where to find scrap wood and how to check it.
Kitchen Projects
- Rolling pins
- Wooden spoons or scoops
- Honey dippers
- Small bowls and dishes
- Salt and pepper mills (mechanisms are sold separately)
For items that touch food, choose a wood and finish that are suitable for food contact, and check the finish manufacturer’s guidance.
Garden and Household
- Dibbers and garden tool handles
- Candle holders
- Small decorative pieces
- Drawer pulls and knobs
- Lidded boxes, which are a good step up in skill because the lid must fit
Toys and Gifts
- Spinning tops
- Simple rattles or stacking shapes
- Ornaments, popular as seasonal gifts
- Magic wands and other small decorative items
If making toys for children, avoid small detachable parts for young kids and use finishes labeled as safe for toys.
Bowls
A small bowl is a common goal for new turners. It usually needs more tool control, a way of holding the wood securely, and an understanding of how wood shapes change as it dries. Many turners start with a shallow dish before attempting deeper forms.
Projects That Sell
People do sell turned items such as pens, ornaments, bottle stoppers, and kitchen pieces. Whether it is worthwhile depends on your time, materials, local market, and any rules for selling handmade goods in your area. Results vary widely, so treat early sales as a bonus. Consider checking local requirements or product-safety rules, especially for food and children’s items.
Safety and Good Habits
Lathes spin wood quickly, so safety matters:
- Wear eye or face protection, and use dust protection.
- Avoid loose clothing, jewelry, and long hair that could catch.
- Check that wood has no cracks or loose parts before mounting it.
- Set the lathe speed appropriately for the size of the piece.
- Keep tools sharp and the tool rest close to the work.
Beginner classes or experienced local turners are valuable for learning safe technique.
Choosing Your Next Project
Pick something slightly harder than your last piece: move from a handle to a pen, then a lidded box, then a small bowl. Keep a few finished pieces so you can compare your progress over time.