Turning angels

Mar 18, 2007 3 Replies

I am trying to turn "Angels", you know the type- awooden doll wit wings on the back. I am having difficulty working out how to make the wings. They should be a flat circle about 1/4 inch thick with cutouts top and bottom. How do I hold this on the lathe?.


I did mine with a 3/8 "dowel" hold on my 1" pin jaws. Made for a nice attachment by boring the 3/8 hole into the shoulder of the angel turning.

Alex Bsically this is just a small plate. Either use a small glue block to hold it in place or, for an easier solution, turn the body side first. This would be the "bottom" of the plate. Leave a 3/8" tenon at center of the plate and about 1/4" long. Hold this in a chuck and turn the inside. If you do not have a chuck then a 3/8" hole in a scrap wood block will serve as a jam chuck. Turn, sand and finish. Cut the cutouts with a scroll saw. The tenon then works as part of a mortise and tenon fixing for the wing. Enjoy.

Winter 2004 "American Woodturner" magazine has a full set of instructions with lots of pictures.

Bill in WNC mountains

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required