Uploaded May 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The starting point for this platter was the idea of flight — specifically the way certain birds hold their wings at rest. That inspiration drove the off-centre approach and the colour choices, and the finished piece has a sense of movement that a standard centred form wouldn't have.
Off-centre work on a platter requires patience and a clear understanding of balance, but the results justify the extra attention. This video shows the full process from blank to finished piece.
In this video I cover:
- Designing a bird-inspired platter form
- Off-centre mounting and turning the sycamore blank
- Colour application with airbrush
- Hampshire Sheen finishing
- Final presentation of the completed platter
🎓 Want to learn in person? I run woodturning courses at my school in Hampshire for all levels — from complete beginners through to more advanced techniques. Details at www.thewoodturning.school
🛢️ My Finishes: yandles.co.uk/shop/?manufacturer=martin-saban-smith-woodturning
📘 Design and proportion in woodturning — I wrote the book: msabansmith.com/shop
📍 Based at Garthowen Garden Centre, Four Marks, Hampshire — next to the South Downs National Park.
🌐 msabansmith.com
Facebook — Me: facebook.com/msabansmith
Facebook — Woodturning School: facebook.com/thewoodturningschool
Instagram — Me: instagram.com/msabansmith
Instagram — School: instagram.com/thewoodturningschool
The visual video content (including my voice), any text and any graphics in the video are Copyright © Woodturning Online Ltd 2015–2025. All rights reserved.
#Woodturning #PlatterTurning #WoodturningColour #OffCentreTurning #WoodturningDesign
The starting point for this platter was the idea of flight — specifically the way certain birds hold their wings at rest. That inspiration drove the off-centre approach and the colour choices, and the finished piece has a sense of movement that a standard centred form wouldn't have.
Off-centre work on a platter requires patience and a clear understanding of balance, but the results justify the extra attention. This video shows the full process from blank to finished piece.
In this video I cover:
- Designing a bird-inspired platter form
- Off-centre mounting and turning the sycamore blank
- Colour application with airbrush
- Hampshire Sheen finishing
- Final presentation of the completed platter
🎓 Want to learn in person? I run woodturning courses at my school in Hampshire for all levels — from complete beginners through to more advanced techniques. Details at www.thewoodturning.school
🛢️ My Finishes: yandles.co.uk/shop/?manufacturer=martin-saban-smith-woodturning
📘 Design and proportion in woodturning — I wrote the book: msabansmith.com/shop
📍 Based at Garthowen Garden Centre, Four Marks, Hampshire — next to the South Downs National Park.
🌐 msabansmith.com
Facebook — Me: facebook.com/msabansmith
Facebook — Woodturning School: facebook.com/thewoodturningschool
Instagram — Me: instagram.com/msabansmith
Instagram — School: instagram.com/thewoodturningschool
The visual video content (including my voice), any text and any graphics in the video are Copyright © Woodturning Online Ltd 2015–2025. All rights reserved.
#Woodturning #PlatterTurning #WoodturningColour #OffCentreTurning #WoodturningDesign
