Ball Vase

This was my second project on the lathe. Again, I started with a block from a 4x4 and cut it down to a smooth cylinder. It was a very simple, but relaxing project. I had forgotten how much of a stress reducer turning wood can be.

Mini Honey Pot

I purchased myself a lathe for my birthday! I've been saving my personal money for something special and when I saw an awesome deal on a lathe come up on a local classified website, I had to jump on it. I have not used a lathe for over 11 years. My only experience was working in the high school wood shop after school and receiving some occasional coaching from the teacher.

 

I used a small section of a 4x4 post I had in the corner of my garage to get the feel for the tools again. I simply gauged it down to a cylinder and hollowed out the end.

 I started shaping the cylinder with no real plan for what I was creating. When I got to this point, I decided it was looking like a tea cup on a saucer. As I was tapering the base of the cup, I actually broke the saucer part clear off with a careless tool maneuver. After the saucer base broke, I decided the cup looked a little bit more like a honey pot and that the cuts I had made to eventually cut the saucer from the stock looked a lot like a lid. That is when I changed plans. I finished off the pot portion and then shaped the lid individually.

 I think it turned out amazing for being the first project after 11 years of woodturning!