How to Build a Wood Turn Table

A budget friendly engraving block alternative.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Build a Budget-FriendlyWooden Engraving Turn Table

This simple wooden turn table is one of the best low-cost alternatives to a full engraving block. It’s perfect for practicing on flat plates, and the whole thing can be built for under $20-$30 using scrap wood or cheap lumber from the hardware store.

Materials Needed

  • 1 piece of wood 10" × 10" (the back plate) – ¾" thick recommended
  • 1 round wooden disc 4" to 9" diameter (the spinning top plate) – also ¾" thick
  • 1 thick peg, large nail, or bolt (this is your pivot point)
  • 1 strip of wood 10" × 2" (the hinge base)
  • 2 small hinges (2" hinges work great) + screws for the hinges
  • Optional: Wood finish (if you want it to look nice)
  • Screws of clamps to secure the turn table to your work bench

Tools Needed

  • Saw (hand saw, jigsaw, or circular saw)
  • Drill + drill bit sized to match your peg/nail/bolt
  • Screwdriver or drill for screws
  • Sandpaper (to smooth all edges)
  • Grinder or file (to dull the tip of the peg if it’s sharp)
  • Optional: Brush or rag to apply wood finish

Step-by-Step Build Instructions

  • Step 1: Cut your pieces Cut your 10" × 10" square back plate and your round top disc. The round disc can be anywhere from 4–9 inches in diameter — I recommend starting with 6" or 7" because it’s easier to hold while engraving.

  • Step 2: Drill the center hole Find the exact center of the 10" × 10" back plate and drill a hole straight through it. The hole should be just big enough for your peg/nail/bolt to fit snugly but still allow the top disc to spin freely.

  • Step 3: Prepare the top spinning disc Drill a hole through the exact center of your round disc. Push your peg/nail/bolt through the top disc so the head sits flush (or slightly recessed) with the top surface. If using a screw or sharp nail, grind or file the tip so it’s not pointy — you don’t want it digging into your bench.

  • Step 4: Sand everything smooth Sand all edges and surfaces well so there are no splinters. Pay extra attention to the edges of the spinning disc.

  • Step 5: Assemble the spinning top Place the top disc onto the back plate so the peg slides into the drilled hole. Test it to make sure it spins freely both clockwise and counterclockwise with very little wobble.

  • Step 6: Attach the hinge base Take your 10" × 2" strip of wood and attach the two hinges to the back side of the 10" × 10" back plate, right along the bottom edge. Screw the other side of the hinges into the 10" × 2" strip. When closed, the strip and back plate should sit flush together. When opened, the strip acts as a base you can screwed to your workbench.

    Note: If you are using clamps to attach the turn table to your bench - Attach the hinges to the top side of the back plate instead of the back side. This way the 10" x 2" strip of wood will sit on the top of your workbench.

  • Step 7: Create the tilt/prop system Place the assembled turn table on your bench. Slide a heavy object (brick, rock, sandbag, or thick block of wood) behind the back plate to prop it up at an angle. By moving the prop forward or backward, you can easily change how steep or shallow the angle is. This keeps the engraving surface facing comfortably toward your torso.

How to Use Your Turn Table

  • Step 1: Melt a decent amount of dop wax onto the center of the spinning disc using a torch or heat gun.
  • Step 2: Pressyour practice plate (copper, brass, etc.) firmly into the warm wax.
  • Step 3: Take a punch and poke 2-4 anchor points into the melted wax underneath your copper plate (for removal later)
  • Step 4: Take your smooth rolling pin and smooth all the wax down so no wax sits above the level of your copper plate.
  • Step 5: Let it cool and harden — your plate is now securely held.
  • Step 6: Use your non-engraving hand to hold and rotate the top disc while your engraving hand does the work.
  • Step 7: When you’re done, tap your punch into your anchor points with a hammer to remove the plate.

Pro Tips from Marlen

  • Start with a smaller diameter disc (5–6") until you get used to the resistance.
  • Have 2–3 different size discs ready — you’ll find you like different ones for different jobs.
  • The type of wood doesn’t matter much — regular pine, plywood, or even scrap hardwood all work fine.
  • Make sure your hinge base is securely clamped or screwed to your bench so the whole turn table doesn’t move while you’re engraving.

This little turn table has been a game-changer for so many of my students who aren’t ready to invest in a full engraving block yet. It’s simple, effective, and teaches you the same hand control you’ll use on real jewelry later.