How To Articles | World Wide Wood Turners

Making a Drum Sander for Your Lathe by Bob Grinstead
Here is a drum sander that will work as shown on any 16″ and larger lathe. With a little modification it would fit on a 14″ lathe too. I posted this on the Shopsmith Owners Group on FaceBook and had so many requests for information I thought it might be a good ...
Segmenting Jig Plans by Roger Wollam
Open Segment Assembly and Turning by Roger Wollam
LaserPecker is an Option for Laser Engraving with Bob Grinstead
Ever since watching Billy Dillard’s laser system in late 2021 on worldwidewoodturners.org I’ve wanted a laser system just to sign my wood projects. I’ve been searching for basically 3 things. relatively inexpensive small foot print easy to use software (very short learning curve) After seeing the LaserPecker software on a friends phone, I bought a LaserPecker, LP1 Pro from ...
Making a Heart Shaped Insert by Roger Wollam
This is the plans to make the heart shaped segmented piece that can be used as a filler medallion or a segment for a bowl or vase. You will need a ½ plug cutter, ½ forstner bit, saw, and disc sander. Using contrasting colors of wood, cut ...
Attaching Carved Handles to a Vessel by Patrick Haggard
My process for attaching carved handles to vessels. Once the vessel is turned and the handle is carved to fit the vessel, I draw a line along the longitudinal axis of the vessel. Next, you hold the handle(s) on center of the line where ...
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. ...
Hollowing Camera Idea On The Cheap by Tim Hatch
I was asked recently to make an urn for my neighbor’s dog that had to be put down due to cancer. I selected a nice eucalyptus burl and cast it in resin in my pressure pot, then put it on the lathe and began shaping it, drilling it and then hollowing it with my Trent ...
How to Make a Floating Bottom for a Segmented Bowl by Bob Grinstead
Bowls that have a bottom larger than 6″ sometimes split or come loose from the next ring with the movement of the wood. All wood shrinks and expands over time. If you make a floating bottom you will not have that issue. The center piece of wood is not glued in and floats inside of a ...
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 heat can ...
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 embellishments. However, ...

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