I finally figured out how to achieve a particular profile I wanted to turn. My wife gave me a beautiful piece of pottery that I love, the profile of which I have been trying to replicate without much success. I have turned five hollow forms so far. None of the pieces get the profile right.

I was playing with shadows one evening (don't ask), when it dawned on me that I could make a profile I wanted with a shadow. I set up the pottery on a riser with a piece of cardboard behind it. I setup a light and then sketched the profile with a pencil. Once I had the profile, I refined it with a magic marker and cut it out. It is only the profile plus a little of the top and bottom showing.

Now I can start turning and as I proceed I can hold up the profile and move it closer or farther away from the piece to match the profile. It doesn't matter how small or big a piece I'm turning because I can use the perspective close or far to match the size.

I hope this is useful for you. I plan on tracing from the cardboard to 1/4" panels and starting a collection to use in the future.

It will work for me.

Phil can be reached directly via email at woodturnerphil@gmail.com .