Wooden Vases

A wooden vase is essentially a deep bowl.  Wooden Vases are a little more difficult to turn than a bowl due to their depth.  As a vase gets deeper a different set of tools is also required.  The artist has a variety of tool choices that include carbide cutters, ring tools, hook tools, and scrappers to name a few.  An optional study rest may need to be attached to the lathe.  This will reduce vibration while turning and allow much more support so the part is not torn from the chuck which can be a dangerous situation.

Also, since most deep vases are turned parallel to the end grain this also calls for tools with different cutter shapes.   Bowls are usually turned on side grain and the shavings are curly.  With the end grain turning the waste wood is most likely to be dust-like particles with a texture of sand.  Not as much fun peeling away long curls of woods, but who doesn’t like holding a thick pile of wood sand or as turners like to refer to it as “Man Glitter.”

All of the same finishing techniques applied to bowls can be used on vases.  This includes pyrography which is a branding technique with a red hot wire, paints, stains,  airbrushing and carving.  These finishing applications may take longer to complete than the time it took to make the form.  Here are a few examples of vases with these techniques.  Carved Matisse Vase

Colored Pencil Vase – Butternut Wood Vase – Colored Pencil Art – Decorative Wood Vase – Handmade Wood Vase – Housewarming Gift – Artist Gift