Learning to use a lathe can be a fun and rewarding hobby. Whether you’re working with wood or metal, lathe projects let you create beautiful and useful items with your own hands. Starting with simple projects helps you build skills and confidence before moving on to more complex work.
1) Wooden Bowl
Making a wooden bowl is a perfect first project for beginner woodturners. You can start with a small, shallow bowl about 8 inches in diameter. This size gives you easy access to shape both the outside and inside of the bowl.
Choose a nice piece of wood that isn’t too hard to work with. Many beginners find that maple or cherry wood offers a good balance between durability and ease of turning.
Mount your wood blank securely on the lathe using a faceplate or chuck. Safety first – always wear eye protection and secure any loose clothing before turning on the lathe.
Begin by shaping the outside of the bowl. Use a bowl gouge to create the curve you want. Take light cuts and don’t rush the process.
Once you’re happy with the outside shape, flip the bowl around to work on the inside. Again, use your bowl gouge to carefully remove material from the center outward.
Sand your bowl thoroughly, starting with coarse sandpaper and working up to finer grits. This creates a smooth finish that feels great to touch.
Finish your bowl with food-safe oil if you plan to use it for serving. Your first bowl might not be perfect, but you’ll learn valuable skills for future projects!
2) Candle Holder
Candle holders are perfect beginner projects for your wood lathe. They’re simple to make and very useful around the home. Plus, they make wonderful handmade gifts for friends and family.
You can create beautiful tea light holders from small pieces of wood. These require minimal materials and can be completed in just an hour or two. No scroll chuck is needed for many designs, making them accessible for beginners.
Harbor Freight lathes work well for these projects if you’re just starting out. You don’t need expensive equipment to create something beautiful and functional.
Try making a farmhouse-style candlestick for a rustic touch in your home. These larger candle holders add charm to any table or mantel. You can customize the height and thickness based on your preferences.
Some designs combine two pieces of wood with a simple joint. This helps you practice basic joinery skills while creating something decorative.
Consider adding brass inserts to your candle holder for a professional touch. This small detail elevates your project and makes it look more refined.
3) Drawer pull
Drawer pulls are perfect projects for beginners. They’re small, useful, and let you practice basic lathe skills without wasting much wood.
You can make drawer pulls with just a drill and a simple homemade jig if you don’t have a lathe yet. This DIY approach turns your drill into a mini lathe perfect for small projects.
For those with a lathe, start with a small block of wood about 2 inches long. Secure it in your lathe and begin shaping it with gentle cuts.
Try different designs – round knobs, tapered pulls, or mushroom shapes all work well for drawers. The small size makes these quick projects you can finish in under 30 minutes.
Make several pulls at once to practice consistency. This helps you develop the muscle memory needed for turning identical pieces.
When you’re happy with the shape, sand your pull while it’s still on the lathe. Start with coarse sandpaper and work up to finer grits for a smooth finish.
Remember to drill a hole for the mounting screw before removing your pull from the lathe. Your custom drawer pulls will add a personal touch to any furniture project.
4) Rolling Pin
A wooden rolling pin is a perfect beginner project for your lathe. It helps you practice basic skills while making something useful for your kitchen.
You’ll mainly use a roughing gouge and spindle gouge for this project. Some designs also let you practice with a skew chisel, which is great for building your confidence.
French-style rolling pins are particularly popular for turning projects. These pins don’t have handles and instead taper gently toward each end.
Start with a square block of hardwood like maple or cherry. Mount it between centers on your lathe and turn it into a cylinder using your roughing gouge.
Shape the rolling pin by creating gentle curves or a straight design with tapered ends. Take your time and make light cuts to avoid tear-out.
Sand your rolling pin through progressive grits until the surface is silky smooth. For a food-safe finish, use mineral oil or beeswax.
This project teaches you how to create smooth, flowing curves and helps develop your eye for symmetry. Your finished rolling pin will be both beautiful and functional in your kitchen.
5) Tool handle
Making a tool handle on a lathe is a perfect project for beginners. You can create custom handles for screwdrivers, chisels, or files that fit your hand perfectly.
Start with a piece of hardwood like maple or oak. These woods are durable enough to withstand regular use. Cut it slightly longer than your desired handle length.
Mount the wood between centers on your lathe and turn it to a cylinder shape. This is good practice for basic cutting techniques.
Next, shape the handle according to your preference. Many people like a slight bulge in the middle for better grip. You can add decorative elements like grooves or rings too.
Sand the handle thoroughly, starting with coarse sandpaper and working up to fine grit. This creates a smooth surface that’s comfortable to hold.
Finish with oil or varnish to protect the wood and bring out its natural beauty. Multiple thin coats work better than one thick coat.
Don’t forget to drill a hole for the tool tang before removing the handle from the lathe. This ensures the hole will be perfectly centered.
6) Shot glass
A wooden shot glass is a fun beginner project that teaches basic lathe skills. You’ll need a block of wood about 3 inches long and 2.5 inches square. Scrap wood works great for this project!
Start by mounting your wood block on the lathe. Turn it into a cylinder first. This gives you a good foundation to shape your shot glass.
Next, begin hollowing out the inside using a small gouge. Go slowly here to avoid mistakes. Aim for walls about 1/4 inch thick for durability.
Shape the outside to create a nice profile for your shot glass. You might want a wider base that tapers toward the top for stability.
Sand thoroughly, starting with coarse grit and moving to finer grits. This ensures a smooth finish that feels good in the hand.
For the finishing touch, apply food-safe finish if you plan to actually use the glass. Some woodworkers seal their shot glasses with beeswax or food-safe oils.
This project typically takes under an hour once you get the hang of it. It’s perfect for practicing your turning skills!
7) Pen
Turning a pen on a lathe is a fun project that can hook you on woodturning. It’s perfect for beginners because it’s small and doesn’t need much material.
To start, you’ll need a pen kit, which includes hardware like the pen mechanism and clip. These kits are available at craft stores or online.
Choose a beautiful piece of wood or acrylic for your pen blank. Exotic woods with interesting grain patterns make stunning pens.
You’ll drill a hole through the center of your blank, insert a brass tube, and glue it in place. Once the glue dries, trim the excess blank flush with the tube ends.
Mount your blank on a pen mandrel, which holds it securely while you turn it to shape. Take light cuts with your turning tools until you achieve the shape you want.
Sand your pen through progressive grits for a smooth finish. Apply a finish like CA glue or wax to protect the wood and give it shine.
Finally, assemble the pen hardware with a pen press. You’ll have a handmade writing instrument that’s both practical and beautiful.
8) Mallet head
A mallet head is one of the most practical projects you can make on a lathe. It’s perfect for beginners because it teaches basic turning skills while creating a tool you’ll actually use.
You can make a mallet head from various materials. Wood is common for beginners, but metal versions offer more durability. Many woodworkers prefer wooden mallets because they won’t damage their chisels or other tools.
The process is straightforward. Start with a square or round stock slightly larger than your desired finished size. Mount it securely on your lathe and turn it to your preferred shape – typically cylindrical with flat striking surfaces.
For wooden mallets, hardwoods like maple or oak work best. They provide the weight and durability needed for a functional tool. You can add design elements like grooves for grip or decorative features as your skills improve.
Don’t forget to make or purchase a handle that fits your turned mallet head. The handle should be comfortable to hold and proportional to the head size.
A well-made mallet becomes both a useful workshop tool and a satisfying reminder of your growing lathe skills. Plus, you can always make another one as your abilities improve!