DIY Network

Turning the Lid Turning the Lid From "Woodturning Basics" episode DWTN-104

The turned lid.

At this point, it's time to shape and sand the lid, then finish it with a coat of varnish.

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1. First, another tenon will need to be formed, and the lid portion of the blank will be separated from the base blank.

2. Secure the tenon in the chuck (figure A). For good proportion with boxes, there is a general rule of fifths. The top should be about 2/5's the size of the bottom. This is not measured, it is just done with the eye.

3. Use the parting tool to cut the tenon. How far you go will determine how thick the wall of the lid will be, because that's where the tenon has to fit. It shouldn't be too heavy, but enough tenon is needed so the lid won't crack or split when fitted on the tenon.

4. Reposition the tool rest so the gouge will hit slightly below the center point on the wood cylinder (figure B). For this cut use a 1/2" gouge, keeping the bevel in contact with the wood, and use the cutting edge to clean out a small indentation, then begin to drill the hole.

   Figure A

   The blank with the tenon made by the parting tool.

   Figure B

   
   5. Use your finger as a measuring gauge along the tool to judge drilling distance into the box top (figure C). The tool point will determine exactly where the bottom of the hole is going to be.

   6. To hollow the top, the bevel needs to ride across the opening, cleaning out the top of the box.

   Figure C

   Starting the process of hollowing the top of the box.

   The lid hollowed out with the bevel.

   
   7. Change to a side scraper, which has long straight sides. It is used to make the recess fit the tenon on the base (figure D), so it will go straight up and down in a consistent manner. The recess isn't made as deep as the tenon is in length. When you stop the lathe to check the fit of the two pieces, if the top of the recess is too large, there is still some space left to make it fit. If it's done to the full depth and it is too big, the only thing to do is to start over. Fitting the lid to the base is a trial and error process.

   Figure D

   Checking the pieces to make sure they fit.

   Base and lid with correct fit.

   
   8. Now the recess has to be made long enough to accept the entire tenon. Take the tool and hold it to the tenon to get a visual idea of how deep the tool will need to go in the lid recess (figure E). This recess needs to be just a little deeper than the tenon is long to ensure that both pieces fit together.

   9. Sand the inside to a smooth finish (figure F). Do not touch the shoulder of the lid with sandpaper. Sanding never leaves a surface perfectly round, and this could effect the fit of the lid to the base. When sanding, form a pad of paper with any loose ends held under the pad of the fingers, so they won't come apart while sanding the turning lid. The sanding pad also offers some protection for the fingers, since sanding a turning object will produce heat.
   

Figure E

Figure F

The finished lid.