Woodturning A Double Vase – A Growth Experience

Dual VaseThis video may also be viewed via YouTube, Vimeo, or FaceBook. Best right here!

I have seen double vases. Now it is time to turn one myself.

In preparation, I made an internal template and an external template for a circle. For the internal template, I cut a circle for my desired size from scrap vinyl flooring. Then I glued a cross piece to make a semicircle with a crossbar. The external template is made from a square of the same material. I turned a circle for the exterior size in the center. Then I sawed across the diagonal staying outside the line. Then sanded to the line. Next time, I make this I plan to revise this template to have a quarter circle and a separate 2/3 circle. This should address the problem of the center core of the project being in the way of the template.

My process:

  1. Rough out and cut a mortise for an expansion hold on one side.
  2. Reverse the poplar onto the chuck and turn a semi-circular hollow near the perimeter. I used the internal template to guide the shape and size. Aim for a perfect semi-circle and uniform wall thickness. Cut a mortise on this side.
  3. Reverse mount and cut the exterior. Use the exterior template to guide the shape.
  4. Saw the wood in half following the grain direction.
  5. With white glue, glue the two halves together. Sand to clean up the glue joints.
  6. Turn caps for the two vase necks and a small base.
  7. Sand a flat on the bottom of the vase.
  8. Glue the caps on the neck and the base to the bottom flat.

My wall thickness was not uniform. This caused the caps not to be centered to the exterior of the neck. This is where I can improve on for the next time.


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