How to make a wooden beer mug - DIY wooden beer glass

I love beer, I love wood, I love being outdoors, so I decided to make myself a souvenir: a good old Viking style 'beer mug'. Completely by hand, just like in the old days.

The goal was to not use a single power tool. It took a lot longer than with the 'proper' tools, but it turned into one of the most fun projects I've ever done.

Put away your drawers of classic hand tools because you won't need them this time. All you need is a good ax and a good knife.

Wooden utensils

Wooden utensils are an original Russian product, used in everyday life as kitchen utensils and design decorative elements. Many will say that such a product has long since sunk into history, but this is not true. And Russian wooden barrels for storing homemade vegetables and forest mushrooms are an integral part of the domestic winter table.

When did the first wooden utensils appear?

Wooden utensils have a long history; initially they were unattractive bowls, completely different from modern products. The first mentions date back to the formation of Rus'. Back then it was customary to gather around a huge wooden table and have evening conversations over food. At that time, the dining area itself served as dishes; they were just recesses in the tabletop. But over time, people came to the decision that it was inconvenient and not aesthetically pleasing, and so the first wooden basins appeared. With the emergence of the first prototype of kitchen utensils, the craft of woodworking also came. Wooden cups were carefully turned, processed and decorated with drawings.

How to give final shape after drying after 6 months

Place the dried bowl into the lathe, clamping it between the rotating center and the chuck jaws. To prevent slipping, use an abrasive sponge folded in half. Center the bowl as accurately as possible.

When drying, the bowl will certainly warp, so first you need to sharpen the lip and base again. Use the same grooved cutter, which needs to be sharpened well.

Grind the outside of the bowl to restore the correct round shape. The movements of the cutter are directed from the base to the rim. At the end of turning, remove a minimum layer of material with light movements.

Just like when turning green, mark the rim again with a cutoff cutter. Make several movements, deepening the groove, to give the rim the correct shape around the entire perimeter.

Once you have carved the desired shape on the outside, sand it smooth, starting with 120-grit sandpaper and finishing with 320-400-grit sandpaper. Apply a finishing coat to the outside of the bowl.

Before turning the interior, calculate the depth by measuring the height of the bowl from the rim to the base so you know how much material can be removed without risking going all the way through the bottom.

Holding the cutter as shown, move it from the edge to the center, removing about 3 mm thick in one pass. The edge of the cutting edge should touch the wall, and the middle forms the bottom of the bowl.

Measure the wall thickness to stop in time. Leave a small “stump” in the center of the bottom so you can see how much material has been removed during the turning process.

Round off the sharp edges of the rim, grind off the stump and slightly adjust the shape of the bowl, if necessary. Sand the inside surface smoothly. An angle grinder will help you quickly get rid of rough scratches that occur at the beginning of grinding.

What wood can be used

In Rus', utensils made of birch, pine, spruce, thuja and aspen were in use. And soft linden was suitable for making ladles and spoons. The choice of material was determined on the basis of medicinal properties. Centuries later, preferences have not changed. Everyone also uses birch, linden, aspen, pear and juniper.

Birch

The Slavic people believed that it served as a talisman, charged with energy and was a gift from God. The “White Bride” was called upon to protect the Russian people from various misfortunes. There was a belief that the tree absorbs all pain and weakness. It was not for nothing that peasants wore bast shoes made of birch bark. It kept them healthy and prevented rheumatism in the joints. Also helped in the treatment of the nervous and urinary systems.

Modern people also do not deny the beneficial properties. Many people know the general strengthening effect of birch sap on the immune system. The bark has a bactericidal effect. Therefore, crushed birch bark was sprinkled on wounds to prevent suppuration.

In Rus', birch bark baskets were woven everywhere. It is distinguished by flexibility, strength and resistance to rotting. Flour and cereals were stored in them. Baskets, salt cellars, and tues are mainly made from birch bark. In containers, dairy products do not spoil even in the hottest weather.

A beautiful glass made of birch bark will be an unforgettable gift. In summer it can be used outside the city or in the countryside. And in winter, the glass will remind you of the summer spent. They drink only cold drinks from birch bark glasses. When hot, the object simply becomes deformed.

The flowers have anti-inflammatory properties. It is no coincidence that it is recommended during colds. In addition, linden supplies vitamin C, glucose and other microelements to organisms’ cells.

They produce plates, ladles, mugs, etc. The linden aroma creates a cozy atmosphere in the kitchen. And the taste of products and food is preserved for a long time, and the beneficial properties are not lost.

Aspen

The wood is quite dense. Available in white, grey-white and green. Due to the hardness of the material, it is difficult to cut by hand. To do this, you will need to pre-treat with boiling water. After being exposed to high temperatures for some time, it softens and becomes pliable.

Aspen is used to make stirrers, ladles, bowls and various cutlery. Those who collect herbs (St. John's wort, chamomile, etc.) will find aspen jars or barrels useful in their household.

Pear

Because of its strength and hardness, it is used to make small decorative items: vases, souvenirs, as well as kitchen utensils: spoons and forks. Only dry foods are served in bowls and plates: fruits, vegetables, baked goods.

Disadvantages of pear wood:

Juniper

Juniper is classified as a coniferous species. Valued by fine carving specialists. Handmade from juniper will last a long time. Interior decor items fill the air with the aromas of pine essential oils. Convenient to store dairy products. Juniper keeps them fresh.

Turning the internal volume of the bowl

Clamp the tab into the jaws of the chuck. Make sure that the base of the bowl rests firmly on the jaws after they are tightened. If this is not the case, go back to the previous step and grind the base again.

Press the workpiece with the rotating center and remove excess material to the top rim of the bowl. You need to guide the cutter with a pulling force towards yourself, pressing the cutting edge to the wood.

Retract the tailstock, install the tool rest as shown, and begin selecting the cavity. The movements of the cutter should begin at the rim and end in the middle, gradually deepening.

Continue to gradually deepen the cavity, approaching the bottom. At the beginning of each cut, press the edge of the cutting edge against the side of the bowl and then move the cutter forward.

Stop working when the thickness of the bowl walls reaches approximately 10% of its diameter. This 250 mm blank has walls 25 mm thick. To measure, it is most convenient to use a caliper like the one in the photo.

Pre-treatment is completed, you need to dry the damp bowl for six months. Apply a special sealant or latex paint to the outside and inside, then leave to dry in a cool, dry place to avoid cracking.

The best glass and crystal models

Pasabahce, 270 mm

Inexpensive model, made of high quality transparent glass, decorated with classic relief patterns. The plate has a round shape and is divided into 4 equal compartments. Pasabahce is suitable for serving sliced ​​vegetables and meats, salads, all types of dishes, snacks and desserts. Thanks to its compact dimensions, the menagerie saves table space. The material of manufacture – sodium calcium silicate glass – allows you to wash the model in the dishwasher. The dimensions of the object are 27 cm (diameter), 5 cm (height). The average cost is 227 rubles.

menage holder Pasabahce, 270 mm Advantages:

• optimal model size;
• tangible weight;
• suitable for daily and holiday use;
• classic design;
• affordable price.

Flaws:

fragility.

Sketches and patterns for geometric wood carvings

Discussion: 6 comments

1. Konstantin:
   08/12/2012 at 6:19 pm

   Good article, inspiring, I’ll definitely make a mug like this, or maybe a set, of course, if I decide to write an article, there will definitely be a link, thank you.

   Answer

2. Natalia:

   09/24/2012 at 10:35 am

   The mug looks great, I even wanted to make it myself, but probably it’s only for cool drinks? Or is there a way to connect the parts so that you can pour a hot cup of tea?

   Answer

   admin:

   09/25/2012 at 7:59 am

   If the connections are made well, you can pour it hot.

   Answer

Rough turning to create a round shape

Having fixed the lathe spindle, screw the workpiece onto the threaded center until it stops so that its entire plane is adjacent to the chuck jaws.

Having pressed the workpiece with the rotating center and turning on the machine at minimum speed, using a 12 mm wide grooved cutter, begin turning the outer surface.

Carve a protrusion 6-8 mm high for clamping in the chuck jaws. Then form a base with a diameter of about 40% of the maximum diameter of the bowl. Trim the lip with a cutter.

Mark the position of the top rim of the bowl as shown to ensure that the small diameter growth rings adjacent to the core are not included. If you save them, the bowl will certainly warp or crack.

Now you can slightly increase the rotation speed of the workpiece. Using a cutting tool, carefully make a groove about 20 mm deep along the rim line.

Start shaping the workpiece into the desired shape. Raw wood is easily cut with a grooved cutter, forming long strips. Now only rough processing is being done, so do not try to achieve perfect smoothness.

Meet Chuck Dowler

Although Chuck's main passion is turning, he also has a saw in his shop that doubles as a stand for his coffee maker! Chuck enjoys sharpening not only bowls, but also vases, stemmed glasses, Easter eggs and egg holders. He also teaches woodturning to students at the local Woodworking Association in his home workshop.

Final Steps: Trim the Overhang and Apply Finish

An easy way to install an almost finished bowl is to attach an MDF disk to the faceplate and make an annular groove with a cutting tool. The diameter of the groove corresponds to the diameter of the bowl rim.

The rim should be inserted into the groove with light hand pressure. Too tight and the bowl will crack. Too loose and it won't lock securely.

Using the rotating center to gently press the bowl, use gentle movements to grind off most of the lip. This requires a very sharp grooved cutter.

Retract the tailstock. Secure the bowl to the MDF faceplate with strong reinforced tape. For reliable fixation, 8-10 loops are enough.

Using light tangential movements, so as not to weaken the fixation, cut off the rest of the protrusion with a grooved cutter. Then give the base a slightly concave shape so that the bowl stands without rocking.

Apply any finish of your choice. Chuck prefers tung oil, which enhances the natural color of the wood. Carefully removing excess, apply 3-5 coats and then polish.