If you’re looking for a visual guide to turning your first vase, look no further. In this video, I show you how to woodturn a simple but beautiful vase from Russian Olive wood. Russian Olive wood is known for its stunning grain patterns and durability, making it a perfect choice for a vase.

Obviously you’ll need a wood lathe, a selection of woodturning tools, and a block of Russian Olive wood. In this case, I had access to a log of Russian Olive from a friend in Colorado.

I mounted the log using a live center and then used a 3/8” bowl gouge to rough shape the outside of the vase. I use a 3/8” bowl gouge to round up the stock, then, using a square carbide bit, I cut a tenon and then flip the log over and mount the tenon in a chuck before continuing the work.

Once the outside is shaped to your liking, smooth out the surface. Then, I like to go ahead and rough sand the outside just to make sure there aren’t additional cuts that need to be made.

Next, use a Forster bit (or a set of them) to rough out the interior of the vase. Forster bits save a lot of time and make hollowing out a vase much easier. After the rough hollowing is done, I use a round carbide bit to smooth things out, being sure to frequently check the thickness of the walls to ensure they are even and consistent.

Sanding the inside of a vase that you’re woodturning can be tricky. I use a stick with a piece of Velcro super glued to it that holds sanding discs.

After you’ve woodturned the interior to your satisfaction, go back and final-sand the outside. I like to go up to 600 for a super-smooth finish. Then, I apply Yorkshire Grit - Woodturners Abrasive Paste both inside and out and gradually remove it all with a paper towel

By following these steps, you can create a stunning Russian Olive vase that will be a beautiful addition to your home decor.

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