How to Make a Wooden Disc Swing

Building a disc swing using a woodturning lathe is probably one of my favorite projects. Truth be told, anything made on a lathe will be among my favorites because it is my all-time favorite tool! Once you know the woodturning basics, making a disc swing on a lathe is woodturning 101.

A woodturning lathe is statistically the last tool a carpenter sets out to use. It does have a steep learning curve, and the initial investment to get started can be pricey. However, there are ways to get your hands on a lathe without purchasing one. Some woodworking stores give lessons and have open studio time, and many woodturning clubs have lathes available to their members. I promise: once you try woodturning, you’ll want to do more.

Here I share the steps to making a disc swing on a lathe, a very easy woodturning project once you have mastered the basics. Alternatively, you may choose to use a router to construct the swing, which I also discuss below.

Prep wood for turning

Regardless of the size of the wood you will mount, find the center and pencil out your circle. Use a miter saw to cut 45-degree cuts close to your line on your circle to eliminate as much of the wood outside the circle as possible. You will end up with an octagon. This will help you reach a balanced circle faster once you start cutting with the chisels on the lathe.