On Nov 9, 9:40 am, Kevin wrote:
Lately, aside from trying to decide where to put the toolrest, I've
been turning bowls with tops/covers. I hesitate to call them boxes as
my understanding of readings in this group seem to lean in the
direction that boxes are turned end grain while bowls are turned cross
grain. Anyways, those bowls with tops I have turned to date have all
have a simple rounded top and have NOT been tight fitting. I believe
that the top oughta come off easy for most items - candy, nuts, paper
clips, and what nots. But now I consider the finial. I've seen many
fancy ones and most if not all have been turned separate from the top
and then attached later.
Would it be safe to assume that some here have one-piece tops, with
the top and finial combined?


Hello Kevin,

Most small boxes are made with the grain parallel to the axis of
rotation on the lathe (or endgrain). One reason for this is that the
wood in this orientation does not change with the weather as much as
in the other orientation. That said, if you put a lid on it, it is a
box.

However, if you seal the wood properly when you finish it, there is
generally less change with the weather, because more moisture can't
get in and any moisture remaining in the box is pretty well retained
there.

Fred Holder
http://www.morewoodturning.net