With general contractor Zack Dettmore at the helm of his new television show, This First House, he helps homeowners purchase and renovate homes, setting them up for success. To give his clients a memorable, personal gift at the end of a renovation, Zack turns to Tom Silva to learn how to create custom flower vases using a wood lathe.
How to Turn a Flower Vase
1. Prepare and Mount the Wood Blank
Mark the center on both ends of the wood blank by drawing diagonal lines from corner to corner. Insert the spur drive into the lathe headstock. Position the blank between the spur drive and the tailstock live center, then tighten the tailstock to secure the wood in place.
Before turning the lathe on, rotate the blank by hand to make sure it spins freely and clears all parts of the lathe.
2. Set the Tool Rest
Adjust the tool rest to approximately ¾ inch away from the blank and slightly below center. Lock it in place and rotate the blank again by hand to confirm the rest is close enough but won’t hit.
3. Round the Blank
Turn the lathe on, starting at a low speed. Using a roughing gouge, carefully knock down the corners of the blank. Keep the tool supported on the tool rest and work slowly from one end to the other.
Once the blank becomes round and balanced, gradually increase the speed for smoother cuts.
4. Cut a Tenon
Use a parting tool to cut a tenon on one end of the blank. Size the tenon slightly smaller than your chuck jaws so it fits snugly.
5. Mount the Blank in the Chuck
Turn off the lathe and remove the blank from between centers. Remove the spur drive and mount the tenon into the lathe chuck. Tighten securely.
Turn the lathe back on and continue shaping the blank with the roughing gouge until you reach your desired diameter.
6. Drill the Vase Opening
Insert a Morse taper drill chuck into the tailstock and install a 1-inch Forstner bit. With the lathe running at a slow speed, carefully drill into the center of the blank to create the vase opening. Advance the bit slowly and back it out frequently to clear chips.
7. Shape the Vase
Use a spindle gouge to shape the outside of the vase. Work slowly and maintain consistent tool control, always keeping the tool supported on the rest.
Use the skew chisel to refine and smooth the surface if desired.
8. Sand the Surface
With the lathe running at a slow speed, begin sanding with 120-grit sandpaper. Move evenly across the surface and progress through finer grits up to 220 for a smooth finish.
Stop the lathe occasionally between grits to check your progress.
9. Apply Sanding Paste
Apply sanding paste to the entire surface of the vase. Turn the lathe on at a low speed and buff with a paper towel until smooth
10. Apply Finish
Stop the lathe and apply the finishing oil to the surface. Turn the lathe back on at low speed and buff with a clean paper towel or rag until the finish is evenly distributed.
11. Part off the Vase
Reduce the lathe speed and carefully use the parting tool to cut the vase free from the remaining wood. Remove the vase and sand the bottom smooth by hand.
Materials
- Live center
- Morse taper drill chuck
- Scrap logs or firewood (spruce recommended for beginners. It’s soft and easy to turn)
- Sanding paste
- Paper towels
- Finishing oil
- Rags
- Wood glue
