Woodturning Education Center

Practical tips, project ideas, and woodturning know-how from Got Wood? LLC. Explore our latest articles or choose a topic below.

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Turning Tips

November 02, 2026

Four-Jaw Chucking for Woodturning: Tenons, Recesses and Safer Grip

Learn how to form strong tenons and recesses, match wood to four-jaw chuck jaws, and check bowl and spindle blank mounting before turning.

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October 26, 2026

Finishing Oily Exotic Woods: Surface Prep and Reliable Results

Learn how to sand, clean, test and finish teak, bocote, olivewood and other extractive-rich turning blanks for better curing, adhesion and sheen.

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October 19, 2026

Twice-Turning Green Bowl Blanks: Rough Turning, Drying and Remounting

Learn how to rough-turn, dry, weigh, remount, and finish green bowl blanks while allowing for predictable shrinkage and distortion.

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October 12, 2026

Turning Figured Wood Without Tearout: Tools, Cuts, and Blank Selection

Turning Figured Wood Without Tearout: Tools, Cuts, and Blank Selection Highly figured wood can turn an ordinary bowl, handle, box, or peppermill into a showpiece....

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October 05, 2026

Natural-Edge Bowl Blanks: Selection, Orientation and Turning

Learn how to select and orient natural-edge bowl blanks, evaluate bark and pith, and plan mounting and interrupted cuts before turning.

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September 14, 2026

Preventing Woodturning Catches: Bevel Support and Tool Control

Learn how bevel support, tool rest position, cutting direction, and sharp tools can help reduce catches and improve control at the lathe.

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September 08, 2026

Woodturning Blank Orientation: Grain, Pith and Bowl Design

Learn how grain direction, growth rings, pith, sapwood, and blank orientation influence bowl design, cutting behavior, and wood movement.

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Off-Center Woodturning: An Introduction to Multi-Axis Work

May 22, 2026

Off-Center Woodturning: An Introduction to Multi-Axis Work

Explore off-center and multi-axis woodturning, including how shifting the turning axis changes the shape and character of a finished piece.

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Spindle Turning vs. Bowl Turning: Grain, Tools and Techniques

May 07, 2026

Spindle Turning vs. Bowl Turning: Grain, Tools and Techniques

Understand the differences between spindle and bowl turning, including grain orientation, mounting, tool selection, and cutting approach.

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Preventing Tear-Out in Woodturning: Tools and Grain Direction

April 28, 2026

Preventing Tear-Out in Woodturning: Tools and Grain Direction

Learn ways to reduce tear-out on difficult grain through sharp tools, lighter cuts, and improved tool presentation before sanding and finishing.

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How to Bring Out Purpleheart's Purple Color

April 21, 2026

How to Bring Out Purpleheart's Purple Color

Learn why purpleheart changes color after cutting and explore ways to bring out its purple tones, including oxidation and finishing considerations.

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Epoxy Additives for Woodturning: Filling Cracks and Voids

April 17, 2026

Epoxy Additives for Woodturning: Filling Cracks and Voids

Compare wood dust, pigments, and other epoxy additives for filling cracks and voids, and choose a filler that suits your woodturning project.

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Epoxy for Cracks in Turning Blanks: Filling and Repair

April 16, 2026

Epoxy for Cracks in Turning Blanks: Filling and Repair

Learn how epoxy is used to fill larger cracks and voids in turning blanks, including resin selection and preparation. Evaluate defects before repair.

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CA Glue for Cracks in Bowl Blanks: Uses and Limitations

April 16, 2026

CA Glue for Cracks in Bowl Blanks: Uses and Limitations

Explore how CA glue is used for small cracks in bowl blanks, including application and filling methods. Evaluate defects before choosing a repair.

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April 02, 2026

Spindle Blank Project Ideas: Handles, Mills, Pens and More

Find woodturning ideas for spindle blanks, including tool handles, pepper mills, pens, and bottle stoppers, with guidance on matching blanks to projects.

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