George French - Wig Stands & Tools

How I make a wig stand. My hope is that the demo will encourage club members to go home and make a wig stand. Julie SchmidtI is the club liaison with AAW Women In Turning (WIT), and she talked to the club during our August Turnout. She said she had been gathering wig stands from Baltimore Area Turners (BAT) and Chesapeake Woodturners (CW) and would be dropping them off to a salon on the Eastern Shore. She mentioned that cancer patients could use another 1,000 wig stands in our area. I decided then to make ten wig stands and donate them. I also decided that it might be a good idea to do a demo to motivate others to turn wig stands. I copied the following from the Ohio Valley Woodturners club website:

Why It Matters

Cancer affects so many of us—our families, friends, and neighbors. By turning wood into something meaningful, we offer patients a reminder that they are not alone.

The Benefits of a Handcrafted Wig Stand

Comfort & Convenience – Helps maintain the shape and style of wigs, making daily use easier.

Emotional Support – A beautifully crafted stand offers encouragement and dignity.

Unique & Handmade Quality – Each stand is an artisan-crafted, one-of-a-kind gift.

Community Generosity – Showcases the kindness of woodturners and volunteers.

Sustainability – Made from natural wood, providing a durable and eco-friendly alternative

I have three blanks of 8/4 hard maple that I will use to make the wig stand. I watched a Richard Raffan video (embedded below) on making a wig stand on YouTube and my demo is based on his design.

I saw Tod Raines demonstrate using a tool to make recessed tenons. I asked him where I could get one and he said that he made his after seeing someone else’s custom tool.

I made my custom tool for recessed tenons out of a blank that I bought on Amazon:
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZLWHCWY?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_5&th=1
I use D-Way beading tools ¼” Beading tool 3/8” beading tool:
- https://d-waytools.com/1-4-beading-tool-shaft-size-390/
- https://d-waytools.com/3-8-beading-tool-shaft-size-515/
My favorite scraper is a double-ended NR round scraper from D-Way tools (BoxMaster):
- https://d-waytools.com/1-2-double-ended-curved-neg-rake-scraper/
I use a Robust collet handle to hold my ½” NR scraper. It will also work on ¼”, 3/8” and 5/8” shafts. Mine came with a fiberglass handle and it looks like they are now selling wood handles or you can make your own handle.
- https://www.thewoodturningstore.com/woodturning-tools/woodturning-handles/robust-woodturning-handles/
I use the Easy Wood Tools chuck, which allows for quick change of jaws. Easy Wood Chuck
- https://www.easywoodtools.com/easy-chuck-1
I also used the Henry Taylor NR scraper by Jason Breach on the recess in the base of the wig stand
- https://www.thewoodturningstore.com/hamlet-craft-tools-hct38jb-jason-breach-3-4-round-nose-scraper-with-negative-top-rake-10-handle/