Custom Turning

Carleton Woodworking offers custom turning services for furniture and architectural components. I do both spindle work, such as table legs or balusters, and facework, such as wooden bowls.

While most of my production turning is done for other professional woodworkers, I am happy to serve hobbyists as well. I specialize in hand turning and limited production duplication - up to about 100 pieces. If you are looking for fine detail and sparkling surfaces for a special piece of furniture, nothing can match the work that comes from sharp tools held in the human hand. I duplicate work "the old fashioned way," using calipers, for those clients who need the look of hand work, or by mechanical duplicator for less exacting applications. I am also equipped to mill flutes and reeds, as well as more exotic patterns such as rope, barleytwist, spirals, and multifaceted shapes. I can cut mortises in spindles at any angle, allowing for multi-sided and compound-angled assemblies. These pictures of hat stands and a chair leg and barleytwist show examples of my spindle turning.

One of my great pleasures is making wooden bowls. (Full-size picture of bowl.) My work is known for its beautiful form, thin walls, and flowing line. I have exhibited bowls in group shows at the Carriage Barn Gallery, New Canaan, CT, at the American Association of Woodturners Annual Gallery Show, and have sold production bowls at fine stores in New York City, such as Dean & Deluca and D.F. Sanders. Wooden bowls from Carleton Woodworking make beautiful gifts for weddings, anniversaries, and other memorable occasions.

If you have questions about a custom order for a unique bowl, please send me a note.