Spindle Turning vs Bowl Turning: What’s the Difference?
- David Condon
- Nov 21
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
When people get in touch about lessons, I’m often asked, “What’s the difference between spindle turning and bowl turning?”I’m also regularly asked by complete beginners if they can start with a bowl-turning class right away, something I usually have to discourage, at least for the first few minutes, until I explain why it’s not the best place to begin.
Both use the same lathe, both involve chisels and spinning timber, but the techniques, tools and grain direction are completely different. If you’re new to woodturning, understanding the difference between the two makes everything much clearer and far less intimidating.
Let me break it down simply and honestly, based on what I teach every week in my workshop here in Tralee.
What Is Spindle Turning?
Spindle turning is when the grain of the wood runs parallel to the bed of the lathe, left to right. You’re normally turning between centres, and the piece spins like a rolling pin. Some projects later move onto a chuck, where one end is supported and the other is shaped freely, but the core principle remains the same.
Common spindle projects include:
● Chair legs
● Pens
● Tool handles
● Christmas decorations
● Dibbers
● Rolling pins
● Candle sticks
Why I think spindle turning suits beginners
Spindle work teaches fine tool control very quickly — gentle cuts, good bevel support and clean transitions. Because it’s normally done between centres, it’s also far more forgiving when you get a catch (where the tool digs in unexpectedly). It’s a safe way to develop confidence without risking a ruined blank or a big knock to your nerves.
Once you can turn a bead or a cove smoothly, every other turning skill becomes easier. Lighter tools like spindle gouges and skews reward finesse rather than force, which is exactly the mindset that makes a good turner over the long term.
If you're curious about getting started, I have a post called So You Want to Be a Woodturner, where I go through the things most beginners need to know before they ever switch on a lathe. I also cover the common pitfalls that tend to trip people up early on in Why Many New Woodturners Fail. A few insights from a professional woodturner at the very beginning can make the difference between giving up after a month or actually becoming a woodturner.
And if you move beyond those posts and decide you’d like to take a lesson, I talk more about first-day expectations here: 👉 Your First Woodturning Lesson – What to Expect.
If you want an example of simple looking pieces but very complicated spindle-based projects, here’s one of my favourites:👉 Traditional Ring Holders, coloured and natural grain.
If you’d like to learn spindle turning in person, I offer Private Woodturning Tuition where we cover the essentials of safe, effective turning — whether you’re starting out or building on what you already know. It’s the perfect foundation before moving on to bowl turning.
What Is Bowl Turning?
Bowl turning flips the grain direction, the fibres run across the bed of the lathe instead of along it. Every rotation hits end grain twice, which naturally creates more vibration, more resistance, and more of a challenge.
Bowls are usually made from a blank that’s roughly 50% end grain and 50% side grain, and managing the different cutting behaviours of those two materials and the ensuing vibration is what makes bowl turning unpredictable, satisfying and genuinely exciting.
Typical bowl projects include:
● Salad bowls
● Fruit bowls
● Ring holders
● Platters
● Trinket bowls
● Hollow forms (with practice)
Bowl turning uses heavier, sturdier tools like bowl gouges and scrapers. The cuts are different, the stance is different and the approach to grain is completely new compared to spindle work.
If you want to see examples of turned bowls, 👉 check out my Salad Bowl page.
If bowl turning is the area you want to explore, I offer a dedicated Basic Bowl Turning Class, as well as a 2-Person Bowl Turning version if you want to learn with someone else. Please note: prior woodturning experience is required. These sessions cover the foundations of bowl turning, and we can move into more advanced techniques if you’re ready. They’re the ideal next step once you’ve built some confidence with spindle turning.
How Spindle Turning and Bowl Turning Feel Different
1. Tool Control
Spindle: light touch, finesse, smooth flowing cuts. Bowl: steady pressure, structural cuts, controlled strength.
2. Grain Direction
Spindle: mostly cutting with the grain. Bowl: hitting end grain repeatedly — technique matters.
3. Tool Choice
Spindle gouge and skew vs. bowl gouge and scrapers.
4. Lathe Setup
Spindle is usually between centres. Bowls are mounted on a faceplate or a chuck.
5. Safety
Spindle turning is more forgiving. Bowls can be heavy, unbalanced and require sharp tools.
If you’re refreshing your safety knowledge, two posts you might find helpful are:
Which Should You Start With?
For most people, I recommend starting with spindle turning. It builds the fundamentals you’ll use forever:
● Riding the bevel
● Clean entry and exit cuts
● Controlling catches
● Cutting angles
● Understanding grain behaviour
Once you’ve mastered these basics, bowl turning becomes far easier — and far more enjoyable.
That said, if someone only wants to turn a bowl in their first session, I can absolutely teach that too. With the right guidance (and sharp tools), it’s completely doable.
Why I Enjoy Both
Spindle turning is almost meditative — smooth, rhythmic and calming.Bowl turning is exciting — unpredictable grain, heavier cuts and a real sense of achievement when the form emerges.
Both styles offer something different, and together they make woodturning endlessly fun.
Interested in Learning?
If you want to try either style, I offer beginner sessions, spindle lessons, bowl-turning lessons and full-day courses here in Tralee.
About the Author
I’m David Condon, a woodturner and small business owner based in Tralee, Co. Kerry. I’ve been working with wood for most of my life — 11 years as a carpenter and over a decade running my own woodturning business.
During that time, I’ve worked with Irish hardwoods, taught woodturning, and run my workshop full-time. On this site, I share the same knowledge I pass on to my students — from choosing the right wood and tools to finishing techniques that make every project shine.
I also stock a carefully chosen range of turning blanks, tools, and craft supplies that I use every day in my own work. You can explore more of my handcrafted pieces and classes at David Condon Woodcraft.
© David Condon Woodcraft – All Rights Reserved.
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More Pages to Explore
Household Woodcraft Gifts - Discover my range of Household Woodcraft for everyday use or special occasions, each crafted with care from exquisite Irish hardwood.
New Crafter's Haven - Browse a large selection of craft supplies I also sell, including gift bags and ribbon that would accentuate my wood products when giving as a gift.
Woodturning Tuition - Learn the fantastic craft of woodturning from beginner to advanced.
Original content © David Condon Woodcraft — Written by David Condon. Please credit and link if shared.
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