The "lathe"

This is genius! I believe a trip to Home Depot is in order....

Soapz, if you are really going to try this, just a few tips:

- watch some wood turning training videos on youtube

- start with a round dowel until you get the hang of it, rough lumber is kinda scary at first

- in the chuck I fixed a cut screw, with the tip outwards, and attached the wood to that.

- I used a carbide tipped router straight bit to shape the wood at first till it was smooth round, then used the exacto to shape the vase/urn/whatever

- at first try to use basswood or a similar softwood with small grain

- wear safety glasses, and also a respirator, as it generates some dust

- try to use a dedicated lathe cutter or scraper, the exacto is really wobbly and looked like it could snap at any second, throwing bits of blade into my face. I'll try making some cutters from small steel drill bits.

- place a tray under the jig, to control the shavings.

- clamp the tool to the table.

- this is under no way a permanent solution, the rotary tool was not designed for lateral forces, so it will wear out fast. I use it as a test run, to see if i like it and maybe make some pieces to sale and see if it justifies building or buying a micro lathe, the kind watchmakers use.

- don't try this

- don't try to sue me if you get hurt, I live in a third world country and they'll laugh at you if you get hurt following internet ideas. This is not US where you get millions of dollars if you get burned by coffee.

Wow—with a rotary tool! I've used my drill as a lathe to turn mini legs in the past (chucking up the actual wood), but I'd never have imagined that a Dremel/rotary tool could handle it. I'm impressed!!