The lathe is used to create cylinders and to cut designs within such a project, using a variety of different chisels. Woodworkers find the tool useful in making bowls, furniture and parts for furniture. But the lathe can also be used to make intricate crafts such as a desktop clock. Materials:
Lathe
Wood stock (size of your choice)
Drill and drill bits
Chuck
Spacer block in the shape of a disc
Face shield or protective eyewear
3" spindle gouge
V-shaped guide
Band saw
Belt sander or sanding disc
- Put on protective eyewear or a face shield.
- Drill a circle into the center of the stock, the same diameter as the clock. Drill about 3/4" deep (figure A).
- Drill a hole into the center of the other side of the wood, big enough to fit the screw chuck (figure B).
- Insert a spacer block onto the chuck screw to reduce the length of the screw (figure C).
- Secure the stock on the chuck (figure D).
- Tighten the tool rest (figure E), and make one manual rotation of the stock to make sure it doesn't hit the tool rest.
- Turn on the lathe at medium speed (1200 rpm to 1400 rpm).
- Use a 3" spindle gouge to trim the stock to the desired size (figure F).
- To make a flat base for the clock, rest the circular stock on a block with a V-shaped dent cut out (figure G). This serves as a support for the circular stock for the next step.
- With the circular stock resting on the V-block, run the stock through a table saw to cut a flat base for the clock (figure H).
- Sand the stock with a belt sander or a sanding disc before painting or staining.
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