Woodturning - How to Make a $100 Pestle and Mortar!

I wanted to use some of my larger offcuts this week and having racked my brain for what I wanted to make I decided upon a Pestle and Mortar. The Mortar (bowl) is made from Sapele, it's been sanded to 7000 grit and finished with Wood wax . The Pestle's handle is English Oak and the head is American Walnut. It again has been sanded to 7000 grit and finished with Wood wax. I just love the finish the wood wax gives.
The only negative take-away from this project is it's too good looking and perfect to use 😂
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Hope you enjoy/enjoyed, please consider liking and subscribing, even give the video a share if your up for it! Each project and video usually takes 10+ hours to finish, so your support is very much appreciated. More woodturning and woodworking projects will be on their way soon.
Instagram: harrysmith_woodturning
TikTok: @harrysmithwoodturning
Email for quotes and queries: [e-mail]
Disclaimer:
My videos are for entertainment purposes only. I am still relatively new to woodturning and some of my techniques might not be the "best" or safest. When using any tools or machinery always read and understand safety/manufacturers guidelines.

[@jackx4311]

I could watch the light shifting patterns on that polished wood all day . . . simple, elegant, and drop-dead gorgeous.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much Jack! As could I, I love the way some woods interact with the sun 😁😊

[@user-yg6me6ox2s]

Whenever you start watching a video , you think , what will come out of this piece of wood ? At the end of the video you see the result - a wonderful thing , like this mortar and pestle . Harry , you 're a master ! I am a man of age , I am under 70 , and I can distinguish between a master and an amateur .

[@kevingaddis7276]

Fantastic work Harry, Your comment that it's to pretty to use. My wife tells me that about all the things I make. I tell her so is she but I use her every chance I get.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thanks very much Kevin! Why shouldn't we use the things that are perfect and pretty! 👍😅

[@annwahlstrom149]

LOL 🤣❤👍

[@escu3764]

A piece of wood that is priceless and to be treasured for lifetime.

[@HarrySmithShorts]

Thanks Es Cu 🪵😃👍

[@kobiekaasjager4822]

This wood is absolutely stunningly beautiful and magnificent and spectacular. The grain the color everything is just awesome.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much Kobie! 😊😁

[@GaryGlass-DriftwoodTurner]

Great work again Harry. Love the mixed wood pestle, wish I’d seen this before I did mine lol. Thanks for sharing.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much Gaz! You can always make another! 😅😁👍

[@rebeccaloader4111]

What a beautiful finish on this set, Harry! Great work!

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much Rebecca! 😊😁

[@lewisdye1002]

Oak has been my least favorite wood for a long time, but your treatment has given me a new view. Can't wait to get some of that stuff.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

So glad I inspired you to give it another go Lewis! It's such a wonderful wood to turn and the grain hardly ever disappoints 😁😊

[@klausalan]

7 min in when you added a polish the grain came alive. Beautiful work on a great piece of wood!

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much Nick! 😁👍

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Really nice! Beautifully shaped and finished!

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you very much Bailey! 😁👍

[@ValioMadre7]

Thanks for sharing. Great looking pestle & mortar.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thanks very much! 😊👍

[@carlspringle9342]

Beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you very much Carl! 😄👍

[@natescarvingcreations2978]

That's awesome man!

[@holifila2914]

Smooth and shiny , nice work 👍

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you very much Holi! 😁😊

[@JiggsysShed]

Great work Harry. The 2 tone pestle is a great idea.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much! I really enjoyed making this piece 😁👍

[@RcWoodturning]

Another great one Harry. Looks great. Nice job 👍. Rus.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much Rus! 😁👍

[@shaunfelton2046]

That’s awesome, Harry!

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thanks so much Shaun! 😊😁

[@siding8]

Nice job Harry!

[@HarrySmithShorts]

Thank you 🪵😃👍

[@William_Kenny]

Beautiful well done 👌👍

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much William! 😊👍

[@christinepfister6033]

So beautiful! 👏👏👏♥️ from 🇨🇦

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much Christine! 😄😊

[@myssadonno2759]

nice one Harry, love the finish!!

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much! 😊😁

[@kathyohara6658]

So beautiful

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much Kathy! 😁👍

[@Umberto.Goglia]

A little piece of art! Well done!

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much Umberto! 😁😄

[@Umberto.Goglia]

@@HarrySmithWoodturning My pleasure!

[@Sebastopolmark]

Very well done, that mortar really has some depth! !! !!!

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much! 😁😊👍

[@patriciamuskevitsch8359]

Very pretty... beautiful wood

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you very much Patricia! 😁😊

[@AyoMembuat]

Thanks for sharing brother

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thanks for watching! 😊👍

[@stephanielovatt2787]

I've been contemplating a mortar and pestle. The techniques you showed, could come in quite handy! Thanks!

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you! Let me know how it goes if you do turn one 😊👍

[@stevenlafrance2391]

You drilled hole in center then just screwed the block onto the bolt. No other connection?

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

@@stevenlafrance2391 That's all 👍

[@sarfraznaqvi6289]

Beautiful You are a great artist Herry

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much Sarfraz! 😁😊

[@michaelmilazzo8722]

Great set

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you Michael! 😄👍

[@rickwalker557]

Love it! I have to make some!

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you very much Rick! 😁👍

[@user-uu7sk8bz5l]

Wonderful

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@bertloewe308]

Very pretty piece; love the contrasting colors. Best wishes on reaching your goal of 5k.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much Bert! 😄😁

[@oneshotme]

I like that!! It's beautiful Harry!!! Great job turning it also! Enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much again! Lots more great videos to come 😊😁👍

[@oneshotme]

@@HarrySmithWoodturning You're very welcome and looking forward to them!!

[@gpp814]

Thanks for sharing harry

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thanks for watching! 😁😊

[@sathiyastaksheel]

Nice finishing

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much! 😁😊

[@alansimpson596]

First class turning with a beautiful result. You'll soon be passing 5,000 subs and beyond.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you very much Alan! Lets hope so 😊😁

[@Woodturningwithbarry]

I like that mate well done 👍

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you Barry! 😁😄👍

[@miftahtukangkayu]

Amazing...

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you! 😊😁

[@thecraftystasher]

Love It ~ 👍🏼💥💫

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much! 😊😁

[@thecraftystasher]

@@HarrySmithWoodturning You’re more than welcome 😻❌⭕️

[@charlesball8872]

Nicely done! An idea I hadn’t considered…..! Not from wood anyway, you usually think of Mortar and Pestle being made from stone or Marble. Kudos to you sir!!

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you very much Charles! 😄👍

[@Lindasims733]

That is an amazing item is very functional, but surely you wouldn’t want to ruin it by using it LOL

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you Gloria! It's more of a display piece but I'm sure it'd "work" if you tried it. But as you say, you wouldn't want to ruin it by trying😅 If you haven't already, check out my shorts channel for lots of extra content kzbin.info, really appreciate the support 😄👍

[@gregdagg9305]

Very nice.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you Greg! 😊👍

[@annwahlstrom149]

OMG - the sheen on that wood is absolutely gorgeous! Well done! If I should have any negative things to say it may would be that the walls on the mortar are too thin, the mortar may be too light to stand still when grinding herbs. It is a lovely piece though.🤩❤❤❤👍

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much Ann! I see what you're saying about the thinner walls but the base is quite thick and heavy, I'll take note for a future Pestle and Mortar though 👍😊

[@mariohernanioliveira8951]

Harry Smith é também um *artista*/Torneiro, absolutamente fora do vulgar. Continue assim e durante mais de muitas décadas. EU gosto muito de ARTE. Cumprimentos do Mário Hernâni

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Muito obrigado Mario! Muitos outros grandes projetos estão por vir. Desculpas pelo google tradutor 😁👍

[@woodturningartbyhabeebasad1020]

Very nice well done 👍🏽

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you Habeeb! 😁😄👍

[@benoitroberge]

Excellent work ! Agreed it's too nice to be used hah

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you! 😁😄😅

[@marcenariahobby7pallet]

Parabéns pelo seu trabalho 🇧🇷👏👍🤝👊💯

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Obrigado como sempre Marcenaria! 😄👍

[@swedish1337]

Harry! Awesome stuff! I recent got that drill bit attachment for sanding for my bowls and what not. I was curious, do you have some specific padding in between the sanding pad?

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you Alec! I have the padding that came with the attachment, It's only a small thin bit of foam but it does the job 😄👍

[@fisher-of-men1547]

Wonderful example of smooth work !! I will be beginning my first mortar & pestle this coming week, please wish me luck. I typically use a mineral oil/bees wax blend, will that work ? One last question. What is the white material between the Pestle & the tail stock ? Thanks again for an exceptional example. David WoodWorking Made Simpler Ada, MI USA

[@starengineerm2948]

Waoo Nic work

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you 👍

[@anilsawhney4876]

Good

[@adriancunningham3552]

Cute but I don't have the tools and didn't have to go through all that. I just used a thick cedar branch and made mine. It took me a day or so to finish.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you! I wanted the contrast from the different types of wood, but might try one out of one piece in the future 👍

[@carrollanderson7358]

Nice bowl Harry, what size was the blank you started with.? I’m guessing 5” or 6” .

[@MrPod15]

Wow. I'm intrigued, what finishing wax are you using? Great piece of workmanship.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you very much! I used Briwax, it gives it such a great shine 👍😁

[@marmac567]

Chisel looks good, what make is it?

[@lelikesines5666]

Jätte fin 🤩❤️Sweden

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Tack så mycket! 👍

[@chrislane9428]

Love the work!!! I am very much a beginner so these sort of videos are perfect. Keep up the great work Harry. I don't have one of those tools you used to gouge out the pestle, the one that looks like it has a circular cutting wheel on the end. What are they Called?

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thanks very much Chris! That tool is called a carbide cutter, I like using them but lots of the traditional woodturners frown upon them 👍

[@chrislane9428]

@@HarrySmithWoodturning Thanks Harry. I might get myself one just in case!!!! Love your work!!!

[@thedevbros8941]

👏👏👏

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you! 😁👍

[@trurex007lee7]

Nice! What species of wood did you use?

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you! The Mortar (bowl) is Sapele. The Pestle's handle is English Oak and the head is American Walnut, I like to use a variety of woods 😁😄👍

[@raymargo9978]

Please, what did you use for the finish?

[@stephanfrenzel5782]

I feel pity for the poor Bandsaw, please adjust the bearings ^^' By the way, i think it isn't possible to get a better look out of the grain. Nice job

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you Stephan! The Bandsaw has now had some much needed TLC 😊👍

[@StevenVacher]

I came here to say this, I was thinking 'ahhh, those bearings are nowhere near that blade'...

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

@@StevenVacher The bandsaw has now had some much needed TLC 👍

[@StevenVacher]

@@HarrySmithWoodturning Glad to hear it sir 👍

[@mariohernanioliveira8951]

Há pouco, comentei a arte de Harry Smith, mas esqueci-me de acrescentar que também me entretenho a fazer *coisas* apesar de ser OCTOGENÁRIO. Mário Hernâni

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Obrigado mais uma vez Mario! Idade é apenas um número, continue fazendo o que você ama 😁😊

[@GavinConwayWoodworkBBQ]

@HarrySmithWoodturning - I think you forgot something important. . . . the knob is only doweled and not glued. Was this intentional 🤔🤔🤔

[@rafaelfres8745]

Can i bay from u a tool like the one u used at this video?

[@philparrish8892]

what size round and spindle did you use?

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thanks for watching Phil! The bowl was 3 inch's deep but I cant remember the width or length, and the oak used for the handle was 6' by 1.5' 👍

[@philparrish8892]

@@HarrySmithWoodturning Thanks

[@gailtallent1107]

Gorgeous 🥰

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much Gail! 😊👍

[@lorrainedubois4635]

Hi about how much would it be to buy Your mortar and pestal

[@lorrainedubois4635]

I would Love to buy a set

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thanks for watching Lorraine! I'm happy to discuss this further, please email me at [e-mail] 😊

[@cdrive5757]

You must live in Beverly Hill$.

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thanks for watching! I know the amount of time and materials that go into my pieces. People can see from the craftmanship that it is worth more than your average cheaply machined wooden pestle and mortar 👍

[@solidarityworkers6900]

Loving the work!! I think you should get rid of the titles as it would give viewers less to moan about, however they would probably find something else to pick fault with. Keep up the great work, seems like you are APPRECIATED BY A GREAT DEAL OF PEOPLE. JEALOUSY CAN BE QUITE VULGAR...

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thank you so much! Unfortunately it seems you cant appease everyone although I try. Still I take solace in the fact that so many people enjoy my content 👍😊

[@pedrothewise2584]

you get 100dollars, its nice but wow. i make olivewood versions 4x bigger quarter the price.

[@johnaplank5406]

Well done, nice wood, but seriously $ 100.00 ??.....

[@TomMasonHomes]

..and what?

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thanks for watching Tom! However I don't understand what you mean 👍

[@rontocknell5400]

Why not just call it "How to make a pestle & mortar"? We all know that no one in their right mind is going to pay $100 for a wooden pestle and mortar... and I would hope that honest craftspeople would not want to exploit the weakness of those who are not in their right mind. Nice job but maybe drop the unnecessary and unrealistic hyperbole.

[@solidarityworkers6900]

Plenty of wooden sets on etsy for £70+

[@rontocknell5400]

@@solidarityworkers6900 But do they SELL at that price? Granite or marble sets can fetch over £100, Wooden mortars have very limited uses and they are cheap to make. There's at least one (usually more) wooden sets at every car boot sale I go to and there's a reason for that. They're more decorative than useful.

[@solidarityworkers6900]

@@rontocknell5400 I better go to one and grab a bargain 🤔 Or buy a decorative piece from Harry 🤑

[@HarrySmithWoodturning]

Thanks for watching Ron, I'm glad you enjoyed! If I were going to sell this it may well be around that price. A lot of work goes into my pieces, I'm a perfectionist so spend a massive amount of time on all aspects of the make but especially the sanding. It's hard to show this when its bundled into a 15 minute of less video but these take hours and hours of hard work. On top of that people are also buying the experience of owning something that have seen and can see being made whenever they want. Some people might deem it as an excessive price, but to others its a price they are willing to pay. 👍