Techniques Required for Adding Rims

Gabor Lacko shows you the techniques needed for adding a separate rim to a turned platter

1.Start with a 254mm (10in) diameter 2mm (5/64in) thick plywood disc. Cut this using a bandsaw and in the centre make a 75mm (3in) diameter hole with a Forstner bit

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This article looks at how to create a small bowl, then the process of adding a separate rim to turn it into a platter; the 'platter' is then finished by adding a surround/rim. The rim can be turned from different types of material and they also can be of varying thicknesses. On the added rim we can not only use all the techniques we use when decorating platters: inserting discs, carba-tec, or carba-tecing and flame charring, we also can attach a rim, made of a thin ply, veneer or plastic, that can then be further processed with surprising effects. All the platters require a rim, bowl and a surround.

Making the rim

Step 1

Start with a 254mm (10in) diameter 2mm (5/64in) thick plywood disc. Cut this using a bandsaw and in the centre make a 75mm (3in) diameter hole with a Forstner bit. Held by the centre hole on a chuck, sand the perimeter of the disc to a smooth finish. You want to make the rim about 75mm (3in) wide, so make a jig to hold the plywood disc

Step 2

The hub in the centre locates the disc and the turned wooden dome stops it from slipping. The outside edge of the rim is fixed with sticky tape to prevent movement after separation. To make the rim the right size, mark out a circle with a pencil at the desired point on the disc while the lathe is running

Step 3

With a narrow parting off tool separate the centre part of the disc

Step 4

Remove the screw from the hub, and then remove the hub and the rim of the correct width

Making the bowl

Step 5

Use a mahogany bowl blank to turn the outside of the bowl. At the top of the bowl there will be a bezel and the rim will fit below this bezel

Step 6

At this point the bowl has to be the correct diameter to accommodate the plywood rim. When you approach the correct diameter take only tiny cuts to make sure that the rim fits perfectly on the hub. When you have achieved a good fit carry on shaping the bowl and finish the final shape with sanding sealer and wax. Also, turn a 100mm (4in) diameter spigot for reversing the bowl

Step 7

Reverse the bowl on the chuck, turn the inside, and then apply sanding sealer and wax to get the required finish. Here is the finished bowl with the plywood rim mounted

Step 8

The plywood rim is then fitted with a mahogany surround, turned from a wide ring approximately 280mm (11in) diameter, 50mm (2in) width. Mount it on button jaws and mark out the inside and outside diameters, plus the thickness of the surround

Step 9

Having developed the shape using a very thin parting tool, remove the surround

Step 10

Here is the finished surround. This surround mounted on the assembly completes the bowl

Other options for adding rims

1. Inserting discs

2. Flame charring

3. Attached rim made or veneer or plastic

4. Pierced rim

5. Inlaid rim

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