Can you work marble with a wood lathe?
im making a chessboard and chess pieces out of marble. I already have have the board, but im trying to find out if i can use a wood lathe to make them. and ive looked online but i cant find a thing. all tips and help is welcome
Hello there,
As the first answer noted, the wood lathe probably turns to fast for stone. However, if you can adjust the speed on your lathe you can get around that problem. There are other problems to deal with. Stone needs to be worked wet to dissipate the heat that builds up as you work it. Your wood working tools are probably not sharp enough for marble. I do not know how you can rig up a drip tank to lubricate/cool the stone while you work it on a wood lathe. You would need cutting tools for stone. The stone will wreck your wood chisels and gouges.
Later,
Hello again. Can I offer an alternative to turning the pieces. Use blocks and carve them with a dremel tool. I have seen Mexican onyx and also jade chess sets with carved figures for the pieces (rather than turned pieces).
 |
 BEAUTIFUL CLEAR SASSAFRAS BOWL BLANK LATHE LUMBER WOOD 12 X 12 X 3 $29.95 Time Remaining: 2h 52m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
 5 Exotic Rambutan Wood Turning Pen Blanks Lathe 1 x 1 x 6 $10.00 Time Remaining: 3h 43m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 |
 ARGENTINE IVORY WOOD Turning Bowl Blank Lathe 8 1 8 x 8 1 4 x 2 1 8 $11.00 Time Remaining: 3h 43m Buy It Now for only: $11.00 |
 2 EXOTIC ESPINILLO Wood Bowl Turning Blank Block Lathe 6 1 8 x 6 1 8 x 2 1 8 $12.00 Time Remaining: 3h 43m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
 3 Cedar of Lebanon Wood Turning Blank Lathe Bowl 3 5 3 4 x 6 x 3 $27.00 Time Remaining: 3h 43m Buy It Now for only: $27.00 |
 EXOTIC ESPINILLO Wood Bowl Turning Blank Block Lathe 8 x 8 x 2 $10.00 Time Remaining: 3h 43m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 |
 EXOTIC ESPINILLO Wood Bowl Turning Blank Block Lathe 8 x 8 x 2 $10.00 Time Remaining: 3h 43m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 |
 ARGENTINE IVORY WOOD Turning Bowl Plate Blank Lathe 8 x 8 1 4 x 2 $12.00 Time Remaining: 3h 43m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
 EXOTIC ESPINILLO Wood Bowl Turning Blank Block Lathe 8 x 8 x 2 $11.00 Time Remaining: 3h 44m Buy It Now for only: $11.00 |
 ARGENTINE IVORY WOOD Turning Bowl Plate Blank Lathe 8 x 8 x 2 $11.00 Time Remaining: 3h 44m Buy It Now for only: $11.00 |
 Kitchen Utensils From Your Wood Lathe with Ron Brown Scoops Ladles Spatulas $24.95 Time Remaining: 11h 55m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 |
 Turned Lidded Boxes Double DVD Set How To Wood Lathe $19.99 Time Remaining: 11h 56m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Spinning Tops DVD and Bottle Stoppers How To DVD Wood Lathe Projects Combo $24.95 Time Remaining: 11h 57m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 |
 Curly Maple Lathe Wood Turning Lumber 9 x 9 x 3125 $19.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 13h 8m |
 12X5 RED SIBERIAN ELM TURNING WOOD BOWLSAVER BLANK LATHE $19.95 Time Remaining: 13h 33m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 Quilted Maple Lathe Wood Turning Lumber 15 x 45 x 45 $19.95 Time Remaining: 13h 59m |
 Curly Maple Lathe Wood Turning Lumber 11 x 11 x 3 $19.95 Time Remaining: 14h |
 Quilted Maple Lathe Wood Turning Lumber 14 x 6 x 6 $29.95 Time Remaining: 14h 16m |
 Curly Maple Lathe Wood Turning Lumber 14 x 55 x 55 $29.95 Time Remaining: 14h 26m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
 Curly Maple Lathe Wood Turning Lumber 12 x 12 x 325 $24.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 14h 29m |
 Quilted Maple Lathe Wood Turning Lumber 12 x 45 x 45 $9.95 Time Remaining: 14h 38m |
 Curly Maple Lathe Wood Turning Lumber 9 x 9 x 4 $19.95 Time Remaining: 14h 40m |
 Natural Edge Black Cherry Turning Wood Bowl Blank Lathe 10 x 5 thick 83 $20.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 14h 45m |
 Natural Edge Black Cherry Turning Wood Bowl Blank Lathe 10 x 5 thick 82 $9.99 Time Remaining: 14h 45m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 Quilted Maple Lathe Wood Turning Lumber 135 x 35+ x 35+ $24.95 Time Remaining: 14h 45m |
 Curly Maple Lathe Wood Turning Lumber 9 x 9 x 35 $19.95 Time Remaining: 14h 50m |
 Tree of Heaven Spalted Crotch Wood Turning Platter Blank Lathe 11 1 2 x 2 $15.95 Time Remaining: 14h 59m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 10 EXOTIC COCOBOLO Wood Lathe Turning Pen Blank 3 4 x 3 4 x 5 $15.95 Time Remaining: 15h 1m Buy It Now for only: $21.00 |
 EXOTIC ESPINILLO Wood Bowl Turning Blank Block Lathe 8 x 8 x 2 $10.95 Time Remaining: 15h 2m Buy It Now for only: $14.00 |
 2 Spalted Silver Maple Wood Turning Bowl Blank Lathe 6 x 6 x 4 $16.95 Time Remaining: 15h 3m Buy It Now for only: $22.00 |
 Hackberry Wood Turning Blank Lathe Bowl Blank 10 x 10 x 2 7 8 $17.95 Time Remaining: 15h 4m Buy It Now for only: $23.00 |
 2 Spalted Hackberry Wood Turning Blank Lathe Spindle 3 x 3 x 12 $12.95 Time Remaining: 15h 5m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 |
 Cedar of Lebanon Wood Turning Blank Lathe Bowl 10 x 10 x 3 $25.95 Time Remaining: 15h 6m Buy It Now for only: $33.00 |
 10 EXOTIC COCOBOLO Wood Lathe Turning Pen Blank 3 4 x 3 4 x 5 $16.95 Time Remaining: 15h 7m Buy It Now for only: $22.00 |
 4 Stabilized BUCKEYE Wood Turning Pen Blanks Lathe 3 4 x 3 4 x 4 3 4 5 1 4 $24.95 Time Remaining: 15h 8m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 EXOTIC PADAUK Wood Turning Lathe Platter Blank 10 1 4 x 10 1 4 x 2 $21.95 Time Remaining: 15h 9m Buy It Now for only: $28.00 |
 Quilted Maple Lathe Wood Turning Lumber 125 x 575 x 575 $22.95 Time Remaining: 15h 10m |
 2 EXOTIC COCOBOLO Wood Spindle Turning Blank Lathe 2 x 2 x 18 $40.95 Time Remaining: 15h 10m Buy It Now for only: $51.00 |
 Black Cherry Turning Wood Platter Blank Lathe 10 x 10 x 2 1 8 $14.95 Time Remaining: 15h 11m Buy It Now for only: $19.00 |
 Maple Burl Lathe Turning Wood M842 $20.53 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 12m |
 Black Cherry Turning Wood Platter Blank Lathe 10 x 10 x 2 1 8 $14.95 Time Remaining: 15h 12m Buy It Now for only: $19.00 |
 Curly Black Cherry Turning Wood Bowl Blank Lathe 11 x 11 x 4 $31.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 15h 14m |
 2 Curly Claro Walnut Turning Wood Bowl Blank Lathe 6 x 6 x 2 7 8 $18.95 Time Remaining: 15h 15m Buy It Now for only: $24.00 |
 Spalted Maple Lathe Turning Wood M843 $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 15h 15m |
 2 Ambrosia Maple Wood Turning Blank Lathe Bowl $12.95 Time Remaining: 15h 16m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 |
 Curly Maple Lathe Wood Turning Lumber 11 x 11 x 375 $24.95 Time Remaining: 15h 17m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
 EXOTIC YELLOW HEART Wood Turning Platter Blank Lathe 10 x 10 x 2 1 8 $20.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 15h 17m |
 EXOTIC PURPLEHEART Wood Bowl Turning Blank Lathe 9 3 4 x 9 3 4 x 2 $18.95 Time Remaining: 15h 18m Buy It Now for only: $24.00 |
 Maple Burl Lathe Turning Wood M844 $0.99 Time Remaining: 15h 18m |
 2 EXOTIC YELLOW HEART Wood Turning Spindle Blank Lathe 2 x 2 x 18 $14.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 15h 19m |
 2 EXOTIC PURPLEHEART Wood Spindle Turning Blank Lathe 2 x 2 x 18 $14.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 15h 20m |
 Figured Maple Lathe Turning Wood M845 $0.99 Time Remaining: 15h 22m |
 BOX of Exotic Wood Turning Blank Lathe Cutoffs Block $34.95 Time Remaining: 15h 22m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 Chinaberry Wood Log Turning Blank Lathe 6 1 2 7 1 2 x 9 1 2 $29.95 Time Remaining: 15h 23m Buy It Now for only: $40.00 |
 Curly Black Walnut Turning Wood Bowl Blank Lathe 10 x 10 x 3 $21.95 Time Remaining: 15h 25m Buy It Now for only: $28.00 |
 2 Mulberry Turning Wood Spindle Blank Lathe Block 3 x 3 x 12 $12.95 Time Remaining: 15h 27m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 |
 2 Ambrosia Maple Turning Wood Spindle Peppermill Lathe Block 3 x 3 x 12 $12.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 15h 28m |
 Ambrosia Maple Wood Turning Blank Lathe Vase Block 4 x 4 x 12 $11.95 Time Remaining: 15h 29m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
 2 Black Walnut Turning Wood Spindle Blank Lathe 3 x 3 x 12 $14.95 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 31m |
 2 Black Cherry Spindle Turning Wood Blanks Lathe 3 x 3 x 12 $13.95 Time Remaining: 15h 32m Buy It Now for only: $21.00 |
 BOX of Wood Turning Blank Lathe Cutoffs Bottle Stoppers $35.99 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 33m |
 Hereford Buckeye BURL turning pen blanks wood crafts mini lathe $10.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 16h |
 Quilted Maple Lathe Wood Turning Lumber 1225 x 525 x 525 $29.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 16h |
 Quilted Maple Lathe Wood Turning Lumber 8 x 8 x 275 $19.95 Time Remaining: 16h |
 13 Pieces 12 Species Colorful Rare Wood Lumber Pen Banks To Turn On Lathe $6.99 Time Remaining: 16h 2m |
 10PC SPALTED MAPLE TURNING WOOD SPINDLE BLANK LATHE $7.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 16h 30m |
 3PC5X6 SIBERIAN ELMTURNING WOOD ROUNDED LIDDED BOX BLANK LATHE $7.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 16h 34m |
 10PC CROSSCUT LACY SWEET GUM TURNING WOOD SPINDLE BLANK LATHE $20.50 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 16h 34m |
 6PC BLACK WALNUT TURNING WOOD ROUNDED LIDDED BOX BLANK LATHE $11.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 16h 34m |
 12610 2 Tone Maple Wood turning carving lathe bowl pen knife scale etc $8.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 16h 35m |
 10X5 CURLY ASH TURNING WOOD VESSEL BLANK LATHE $7.95 Time Remaining: 16h 35m |
 2PC RED SIBERIAN ELM TURNING WOOD VASE BLANK LATHE $11.38 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 16h 37m |
 2PC 7X5 MARBLED BLACK WALNUT TURNING WOOD VESSEL BLANK LATHE $7.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 16h 39m |
 Exotic Katalox 24x15 Spindle Turning Blank Lathe Resaw Wood Carve Craft DARK $7.95 Time Remaining: 19h 31m Buy It Now for only: $11.50 |
 Exotic Katalox 24 x 2 Spindle Turning Blank Lathe Resaw Wood Carve Craft DARK $13.90 Time Remaining: 19h 36m Buy It Now for only: $19.00 |
 4 Black Walnut Lumber Turning Blocks Lathe Wood 9027 $23.96 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 17m Buy It Now for only: $23.96 |
 USED ATLAS WOOD TURNING LATHE MACHINERY $750.00 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 33m Buy It Now for only: $750.00 |
 TWO WOOD LATHES YOU CAN BUILD PLANS ON CD DIY $6.99 Time Remaining: 1d 6h 59m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 |
 4 HICKORY TURNING BLANKS LATHE WOOD BLOCKS LUMBER 3x3x24 $32.95 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 14m Buy It Now for only: $32.95 |
 12 CATALPA TURNING BLOCKS LATHE WOOD BLANKS 2X2X11 $27.95 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 19m Buy It Now for only: $27.95 |
 4 S4S EASTERN RED CEDAR TURNING BLOCK LATHE WOOD BLANK 24 $16.95 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 31m Buy It Now for only: $16.95 |
 2 ALDER TURNING BLOCKS LATHE WOOD BLANK 3 X 3 X 24 $19.95 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 22m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 Segmented Wood Bowl Turning Blank SG228 Hardwoods Turn on Your Lathe $21.95 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 52m Buy It Now for only: $21.95 |
 Segmented Wood Bowl Turning Blank SG229 Hardwoods Turn on Your Lathe $21.95 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 56m Buy It Now for only: $21.95 |
 Segmented Wood Bowl Turning Blank SG230 Hardwoods Turn on Your Lathe $21.95 Time Remaining: 1d 9h Buy It Now for only: $21.95 |
 Segmented Wood Bowl Turning Blank SG231 Hardwoods Turn on Your Lathe $21.95 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 2m Buy It Now for only: $21.95 |
 Segmented Wood Bowl Turning Blank SG232 Hardwoods Turn on Your Lathe $24.95 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 7m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 |