Cup Turner

This is the third version of a “cup turner” that I designed and made for myself to use in my woodshop.

A cup turner is a device that is used to apply a finishing coat on a round or curved object. When applying finish without a cup turner, the surface is frequently left with uneven coverage and drip marks. A cup turner prevents both of these issues by keeping the object rotating. Constant rotation allows the protective liquid coating to evenly spread across the surface during application as well as drying. The constant change of gravity felt by the finish allows for thicker coats with a wider range of finishes that produces a more consistent result.

This project started off as a single-axis, wooden jig to help improve the quality of the finish process in my woodworking business. Despite the original prototype eventually breaking, it inspired me to do a complete redesign in CAD. Shortly after redesigning all of the parts intended for wood, the dream of owning a 3D