Cake Pedestal (And second project)

[Rob Price]

This is from a recent issue of Wood magazine. I had been contemplating a lathe for the past year, I flagged this since they mentioned it was a 'great beginner project.' When I finally bought the lathe I knew I wanted this to be one of my first attempts- mainly because they spelled out how to do it, and they posted a video how to do it as well. I decided to laminate it because I didn't have any stock thick enough and wide enough to make the base out of one piece. I figured, if I have to have glue lines, I might as well try a laminated blank. I didn't appreciate at the time, that doing it this way, meant all my center holes had to be PERFECT since the lines run up the spindle. Oh well, I think it turned out okay. I used African Mahogany, Walnut, and Maple. This was also my first time using General Finishes Woodturner's finish. Assuming it holds up to use, it's my new favorite finish. I didn't even finish on the lathe. I just wiped on thin coats (they dry in less than 5 minutes in my heated basement) sanding in between coats. I worked my way through my micro mesh pads two at a time between coats. The final coat is 'as is.' I haven't rubbed it or buffed it yet, I'm gonna let it cure for a week.

I have another set of blanks glued up- this one is for my mom, the next will be for the wife. I'm going to change a few things on the spindle, I don't like the notch they have at the top, it really can't be seen and it creates a tight spot to clean up the top cove- I had a catch and had a big chunk fly off the top. It glued back on, and since the platter is up there you can't see it, but I'm leaving it out next time, just a gentle flow from the top cove the the bead on the base.

I made the platter on the router, I couldn't get it mounted flat with the spur drive center. I'm thinking next time using the center screw on my chuck, and using the largest set of jaws I have to keep the platter sqaure. Any thoughts?

Thanks for looking!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GfPQ42YeszA/Tu6VaBDdgzI/AAAAAAAABfg/KIU0NwLRJDc/s640/IMG_1311.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bOf9qv33qFE/Tu6VZG7uiaI/AAAAAAAABfY/MKaj2tPWwmw/s640/IMG_1296.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CRZIevOxmx8/Tu6VagbW9aI/AAAAAAAABfo/kYQQKz78l5c/s640/IMG_1312.JPG

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[Rob Price]

Here's the entire spindle, you can see where a chunk went flying. If the top looks a little rotated, that's because it is, it's actually not glued up yet. I think it will make the trip to my mom's house better un-assembled and then I'll glue it up there. With 4 kiddos, the car's gonna be full, and I don't want this getting banged around and breaking.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MxGp48-yDv8/Tu6aBCwSKYI/AAAAAAAABf8/35pqKWW0StQ/s640/IMG_1306.jpg

[Jamie Donaldson]

Wow, that's a very ambitious and well made project for only your second turning. I can tell the pull of the vortex is very strong!

[Roger Chandler]

Woooo hooooo! That is super for a beginner..............you must have a natural talent for this spinny craft..........keep 'em coming Rob..........this is real nice!

[Baxter Smith]

Nice work Rob! As far as your question on holding the platter goes, am I correct in assuming you want to try and take flat stock you have glued up, round it and cut a decorative edge without doing anything to the top surface?

[Rob Price]

Thanks for the encouraging words. Feel free to offer critique as well. I'm a LONG way from being a Jedi- but I do feel the vortex. I spent two hours tonight with some soothing music on in the background, practicing with the skew chisel and gouge, trying to get more comfortable with them. I have never done any type of freehand WW'ing before. I'm very much a 'set my fence up to within' .00001" parallel to the blade' kind of guy, so this freehand skinny stuff is different but I like it!!!

Baxter- you are correct. I had flattened the blank on my planer to a little over 3/4" thick. I just needed to round it out and cut the rabbet on top and the decorative edge on the bottom. I spent about 10 minutes making a jig for my router table to cut the circle, and then the rest was done with bearing bits, so it really wasn't a big deal, I just wondered how I would go about it on the lathe, it would give me more flexibility with the profile, not to mention easier sanding of the edge. I had to cut a 1" hole for the spindle tenon on the bottom, so I could chuck it up with the screw center first, or use some other method. What would you do?

[Bernie Weishapl]

That is a really nice piece for a second turning. Really nicely done.

[Billy Tallant]

Very nice job! Keep the pictures coming...

[Michelle Rich]

WOW amazing 2nd project. Well done. Your idea of how to hold it, seems reasonable. anything to keep it from wobbling!

[John Keeton]

Rob, that is some excellent work! Really! Great selection of woods, and good form on the pedestal shaft. You are a natural for this - I bet we see some great work coming from your lathe!

[David E Keller]

Fantastic! I like your plan to turn the top... A glue block would allow you to turn the piece without sacrificing any of the thickness.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Very nice and well thought out project Rob! Turning platters can be done in a variety of ways... with David's suggestion of a glue block probably the safest route. You can also use a jam chuck... which is just pressing the platter between the headstock and tailstock with enough force to keep it from slipping. At this point, I would probably use your router to cut the platter and then mount the blank on the lathe using the jam chuck method so you can sand it. Good luck!!

[Rob Price]

The glue block idea sounds like a great way to go. Didn't think about it. Thanks for the tips.

[Jim Burr]

What a great idea Rob!!! I have an idea for a shorter version using marble...you really sparked my interest!!