How to turn basswood plates?

Here is a site that has a lot of projects and tutorials. Maybe it will have something you need.

http://www.woodturningonline.com/

Basswood may present a problem turning because it is so soft but with sharp tools with some sanding it should work. Mounting it on a lathe might also be a problem because of the softness. You will need to use a plywood blank and a base and glue the bass wood to it with a piece of newspaper between the two pieces of wood so it can be separated after turning. The newspaper tears apart when you use a wide chisel to separate the pieces. Then just sand off the remaining newspaper and glue. Other softer woods that will work are cotton wood, alder, clear pine.

Here is one web site that that sells basswood: www.carpediemstore.com/viewItem.asp?idProduct=2650 They had 2” x 8” X 24” pieces that should work for plates. If you need wider pieces you may have to glue two pieces together.

-- Les B, Oregon