How to make a round thing without a lathe (plus model making tips)

Step 4 Cut your profile

Measure the crucial dimensions of your basic form (you should already know them from making it to the right shape. But if you are anything like me and make it up as you go along... now is the time to get measuring. Draw up your profile on a piece of paper. and cut out and offer up to the basic form. if it fits and can rotate around the axis without fouling any where (being stopped turning), then the profile is right and you can stick the paper to a piece of plastic and cut it out.

I always like to use what I have lying around, and the plastic I used for this model profile was from an old detergent bottle that had reasonably straight sides from which I could cut a big enough shape to hold.

Glue your profile to the wire coat hanger making sure that it is nice and square to the rotation axis of the basic form. I used glue gun glue and then sticky tape to make sure that it stayed put. You don't want it coming off half way through the exercise.

NOTE: I tried cardboard for the profile, but it could not keep a clean edge.