The document provides suggestions for 8 beginner metal lathe projects of increasing complexity for learning how to use a metal lathe. It starts with simple projects like replicating metal bullets, making a mallet, or rings. More advanced projects include a rod with a captive ring, candlestick, cup, and bowl. Finally, it recommends a machinist's scribe/pen. Additional bonus projects suggested are making individual chess pieces or an entire metal chess set. The goal is to familiarize yourself with the metal lathe through hands-on practice and gain confidence to take on more complicated designs.

1. 8 Metal Lathe Projects for Beginners
Learning how to use a metal lathe can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time.
There is a steep learning curve when it comes to familiarizing yourself with your lathe. The
best way to gain confidence and an understanding of your machine are to use it. Practice
makes perfect, and the more you use your lathe, the more you’ll see new uses and
possibilities for new projects.
But with any new skill or tool, it’s good to start simple. Below are eight ideas to get you
started. These start very basic and slowly become more complicated as you grow more
familiar with your machine.
Also Read: ​The Global Growth Of The Metal Cladding Industry
1. Replica Metal Bullets
Bullets are a popular beginner project given the relative ease of operation required. Since
the shape of the bullet is essentially a simple cone, the process of making bullets allows you
to become familiar with the machinery and understand how your lathe spins. Start by
printing out a picture of a bullet you want to replicate. Creating a bullet from a core or
small block of metal will demonstrate how a lathe works by spinning the workpiece, not the

2. cutting heard itself. With your picture as a guide, try to recreate the exact taper of the
bullet. But don’t worry if you mess up! Because the project is small, you can practice
without feeling any guilt about any mistakes.
For good examples, see ​this link​ or the photo.
Source: etsystatic.com

3. 2. Mallet
Metal mallets are a great initial project because they provide both a straightforward
process as well as a fun challenge. The mallet head, a straightforward cylinder, is an easy
piece to create while the handle gives you more freedom to display your ​woodworking
skills. In order to create the handle, you’ll get to practice using a knurling tool. Don’t
forget to put your own spin on the design of the handle to make the project your own.
This mallet project can also easily be modified or expanded. Try designed a metal handle as
well as the head. Curve the head, to create a ​ball-peen​ or machinist’s hammer. Add texture
to the handle or a taper to increase the difficulty of the project, or make the head and
handle of different materials. And of course, you could make not just one hammer, but an
entire set with different sizes and styles. Whatever you decide to do, a basic hammer
project frequently makes an excellent starting point.

4. Source: summitmt.com
3. Rings
The great part about making rings (aside from the fact that you can wear them) is that you
can start off simple and as you get more comfortable can create more intricate designs. One
reason rings tend to be a good beginner project is that you can use metal scraps, even nuts,
and bolts, to transform into your finished piece. This means you don’t have to worry about
messing up or wasting large amounts of material. You can also start off with softer metals
that are easier to work with.

5. Rings are also one of the basic shapes you’ll see frequently in your lathe work, so mastering
them early is a good idea. Again, just because they’re simple in design doesn’t mean they
have to be plain, boring, or lacking in craftsmanship. As an example of what can be done,
here’s a ​short video​ and a picture of a finished project by the same craftsman.

6. Source: patrickadairdesigns.com
4. Rod with a Captive Ring
This metal toy can be a fun first project. While it looks complicated, it’s not as difficult as
you might assume. It requires a few different techniques that will help you navigate your
machine while being simple enough to not be a daunting task. Some techniques that you’ll
be able to put in your arsenal include plunging, parting, facing, and undercutting. There’s
also the clever trick of being able to build something that looks impossible at first glance –
always a great conversation starter!

7. Source: instructables.com
This project can be taken to the next level with a related project – the bolt and captive nut.
It’s the same idea as the rod and ring, but also incorporates threading techniques (for the
bolt) and grinding techniques (if you make your own nut). Find a helpful video ​here​.

8. 5. Candlestick
A metal candlestick can be as simple or as intricate as you feel comfortable with. While
they are a bit more complicated to make than some of the other projects, they are a great
way to practice boring out the core and rounding out the base. From there you can decide
how complex of a design you want to challenge yourself to do. Tall, simple candlesticks are
great starters, while ornamental candlesticks with flaring and fluting along it may prove
more of a challenge. See a helpful video ​here​.
6. Cup
If you’ve already learned how to bore out the core for your candlestick, upgrading to a cup
is a fairly simple step. You can employ some of the same techniques used for the base of the
candlestick to form the stem of your cup, then bore out and shape the cup itself. Part of the
challenge with these beginner projects is to nut just manufacture these items but to make
them as high-quality as possible. Cups make great ways to challenge your consistency and
make identical sets.
Cups can also be made as gifts, as in this ​video of a baby cup​.

9. 7. Bowl
Another simple design, but here the problem might be one of size. This will teach you how
to make molds around which to shape the bowl as well as how to wrap and finish the metal.
All of those techniques will start to build on each other, expanding what you are able to do
when you reach more complicated parts later on.
For a fantastic demonstration of some of the techniques needed for a metal bowl, see ​here​.
8. Machinist’s Scribe/Pen
The ideas here are fairly simple. A ​machinist’s scribe​ is a tool used to mark or write on
metal. Essentially, it works as a machinist’s pen. Early scribes were simple rods with a
hardened tip, but today there are plenty that looks like a normal ballpoint pen. The
hardened tip remains.
Pens, of course, are fairly straightforward. There can be some tricks to making sure that all
of the pieces of a pen fit together correctly, but the concept is simple enough. There are
countless videos and instructions available for wood-turned pens, and there are plenty for

10. metal pens​ as well. Here is just ​one of many such videos​ with good instructions that are
widely available.
Source: instructables.com
There you have it, eight great projects to get you started on your metal lathe journey. No
matter what you start with, you’ll find the creation process is the best way to familiarize
yourself with your machine and how it works. As you progress, you’ll become excited to
take on more complicated projects. Just remember, at the end of the day, the goal is to have
fun as you take your first steps in mastering your ​metal lathe​. Along the way, you’ll find

11. yourself more able to experiment with your own designs and your own ideas of what to
make.
Bonus Project: Chess Piece and Chess Set
Looking for something highly ornamental, beautiful, and eye-catching to practice some of
your techniques? Consider some of these metal-turned chess sets:
Source: mrdeyo.com

12. Source: wordpress.com

13. Source: smithy.com
Most of the techniques for these sets are fairly basic; it’s the ornamentation that sets them
apart and the striking nature of the design. If you’re up for a more advanced project,
consider trying your hand at one of these – or better yet, coming up with your own!!

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