1

Wooden Pen

Difficulty Rating: 2 out of 10

Pens are a favorite project of many turners, beginners and otherwise! With the variety of pen blanks, both wood and acrylic, and pen kits, the options are endless.

Pen turning will allow you to master basic roughing and shaping cuts with a spindle gouge . You'll learn to "ride the bevel" and apply the appropriate pressure depending on the type of cut. Because you are turning between centers (both ends of the wood are secured), vibration is minimal.

2

Bottle Stoppers

Difficulty Rating: 3 out of 10

Not only are bottle stoppers handy to have around, but they make an excellent, hand-made gift. Stoppers are quick to turn, and, because they only require a small square of wood, are an excellent choice for beginner turners (scrapping a small block of wood is far less expensive than a larger blank).

This project will also help you master spindle turning techniques, from basic shaping to detail work.

3

Wooden Goblet

Difficulty Rating: 5 out of 10

In his thorough video tutorial, Mike Waldt demonstrates a fairly tall goblet, but using the basic techniques he presents, you can shape your goblet however you desire.

A thicker stem will result in less chatter, and a wider, shallower cup will make the interior turning less rigorous. This project is excellent for sharpening your spindle skills, as the spindle gouge is used extensively throughout, both for shaping and detail work.

4

Wooden Box

Difficulty Rating: 7 out of 10

The simple box is a blank canvas with great potential for detailed accents and creativity using a spindle gouge and/or skew chisel. It is an excellent project to practice spindle skills and stretch your artistic style.

Starting with shallow, wide boxes will help you master interior cuts. Make sure to slow down as you create the fit between the lid and the base, and don't become discouraged if it takes a few tries to get the right fit.

5

Wooden Bowl

Difficulty Rating: 8 out of 10

An iconic woodturning project, the bowl is satisfying to create and elegant to show off or gift.

Start with small, shallow bowls (about 8" diameter) with a large opening. These characteristics will provide easy access for shaping the interior of the bowl and allow you to focus on mastering the cuts. Another way to ease the learning curve is to turn your first few bowls out of soft, forgiving green wood.

Your bowl gouge will be the workhorse of your bowl turning. Mastering basic cuts early on will pay off richly, as will learning solid sharpening techniques.

1

Wooden Pen

Pens are a favorite project of many turners, beginners and otherwise! With the variety of pen blanks, both wood and acrylic, and pen kits, the options are endless.

Pen turning will allow you to master basic roughing and shaping cuts with a spindle gouge . You'll learn to "ride the bevel" and apply the appropriate pressure depending on the type of cut. Because you are turning between centers (both ends of the wood are secured), vibration is minimal.

Difficulty Rating: 2 out of 10

2

Bottle Stoppers

Not only are bottle stoppers handy to have around, but they make an excellent, hand-made gift. Stoppers are quick to turn, and, because they only require a small square of wood, are an excellent choice for beginner turners (scrapping a small block of wood is far less expensive than a larger blank).

This project will also help you master spindle turning techniques, from basic shaping to detail work.

Difficulty Rating: 3 out of 10

3

Wooden Goblet

In his thorough video tutorial, Mike Waldt demonstrates a fairly tall goblet, but using the basic techniques he presents, you can shape your goblet however you desire.

A thicker stem will result in less chatter, and a wider, shallower cup will make the interior turning less rigorous. This project is excellent for sharpening your spindle skills, as the spindle gouge is used extensively throughout, both for shaping and detail work.

Difficulty Rating: 5 out of 10

4

Wooden Box

The simple box is a blank canvas with great potential for detailed accents and creativity using a spindle gouge and/or skew chisel. It is an excellent project to practice spindle skills and stretch your artistic style.

Starting with shallow, wide boxes will help you master interior cuts. Make sure to slow down as you create the fit between the lid and the base, and don't become discouraged if it takes a few tries to get the right fit.

Difficulty Rating: 7 out of 10

5

Wooden Bowl

An iconic woodturning project, the bowl is satisfying to create and elegant to show off or gift.

Start with small, shallow bowls (about 8" diameter) with a large opening. These characteristics will provide easy access for shaping the interior of the bowl and allow you to focus on mastering the cuts. Another way to ease the learning curve is to turn your first few bowls out of soft, forgiving green wood.

Your bowl gouge will be the workhorse of your bowl turning. Mastering basic cuts early on will pay off richly, as will learning solid sharpening techniques.

Difficulty Rating: 8 out of 10