Third Hand by Howard Johnson

Occasionally, a third hand is needed off lathe for sanding, embellishment and/or carving. This article gives assembly instructions for a third hand (drawing 1). This device allows the craftsman to manipulate a piece of work off lathe, which makes manipulating the piece much easier. The cost to fabricate the device is around $50.00. Material: Base Read More …

Laser Engraving for Wood Turners (Part 6) – Todd Fipps

… Continued from May 7, 2025 Fire Safety: Preventing Burns and Accidents Laser engravers work by generating high-intensity heat, vaporizing the surface of the material to create engravings. While this process is controlled and precise, it carries an inherent fire risk, especially when engraving flammable materials like wood, fabric, or acrylic. If left unchecked, excessive Read More …

Laser Engraving for Wood Turners (Part 5) – Todd Fipps

… Continued from April 23, 2025 Engraving Non-Wood Materials: Expanding Your Creative Possibilities While wood is the most common material for laser engraving in woodturning, many other materials can be engraved with stunning results. Exploring acrylic, leather, metals, glass, and stone opens up a wide range of new design possibilities, from personalized keepsakes to artistic Read More …

Laser Engraving for Wood Turners (Part 4) – Todd Fipps

… Continued from April 9, 2025 Additional Considerations for Engraving Wood While the woods listed above provide excellent engraving results, keep these factors in mind to get the best outcome: Moisture Content – Always use dry, seasoned wood to prevent uneven burns, excess smoke, or warping. Grain Density – Fine-grained woods like maple engrave with Read More …

Laser Engraving for Wood Turners ( Part 3 ) – Todd Fipps

… Continued from March 26, 2025 Choosing Safe Materials for Engraving: Wood and Beyond Selecting the right material for laser engraving is just as important as choosing the correct machine settings. While wood is the most commonly used material for woodturners, laser engraving can also be applied to leather, acrylic, metal, glass, and more. However, Read More …