Beginning Woodturning - Mounting the Wood

While it is obvious that wood is spun on the wood lathe and then shaped with various hand tools, it is less obvious how to mount the wood on to the lathe in the first place. A bit of observation and common sense can turn this into an easy and safe operation.

Wood is mounted to the lathe in either spindle or faceplate orientation. Spindle turning means the grain of the wood will run parallel to the ground while faceplate implies the grain runs perpendicular to the ground. While there can be variations on this theme, the beginner is advised to follow the scheme until sufficient practise is obtained to change it with safety.

Chair legs and rungs are almost always turned in spindle orientation for reasons of strength. The pieces that join the legs together are often called spindles, hence the use of the term in woodturning.

Most wood lathes come with a spur center for the headstock and a tail center for the tailstock. Each of these has a center point. Many tail centers have ball bearings and turn freely. Spur centers are surrounded by two, three or more spurs that engage the wood. Spindle stock is mounted between these centers. Be sure to place the centers into the appropriate head and tail stocks. Ensure they are seated so that the spurs engage the wood and make it turn. From time to time while turning, tighten the tailstock to keep the spurs working. They will try to bore their way into the wood somewhat like a drill bit.

Again, most wood lathes will come with a faceplate. Like spur and tail centers they are also readily available from a variety of after market suppliers. Just get one that fits the threads on your lathe. The larger the piece of wood that is to be turned, the larger the faceplate that may be required, however, it is rare for most home wood lathes to require a faceplate larger than six inches.

Faceplates are used to turn objects such as bowls, platters, vases and hollow forms. They are mounted to the wood with screws and number fourteen, self tapping, sheet metal screws are advised. These have deep threads that hold the work well and are extremely strong. Usually screws that allow the threads to go three quarter inches deep are sufficient for most turning but longer ones give more security if needed. Be sure that the wood surface to which the faceplate attaches is flat. This gives a great deal of the holding power of the faceplate.

While there are other means of mounting the wood such as dedicated chucks, glue blocks, and four jaw chucks, centers and faceplates will allow the beginning turner to mount wood to the lathe for a great many projects. The old time wood turners used just these to outfit homes and businesses with wood turned essentials and art work.

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