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A bottle stopper is one of the best small projects on a lathe. It takes a short blank, it turns in under an hour once you are set up, and it uses offcuts too small for bowls. It also makes a good gift. Planning to sell a few? See our wood turning projects that sell. All you need beyond the lathe is a stopper kit, a blank, a drill bit and a way to hold the blank while you shape it.
The best bottle stopper turning kit for most people is stainless steel hardware with a matching chuck or mandrel. Stainless stoppers do not corrode, they seal with a gasket, and they screw into a hole you drill in the blank. Below are five kits, chucks and blanks from Penn State Industries, Peachtree and LUMBERINC, with the specs each lists, and a step-by-step guide to turning your first stopper.
Our top picks at a glance
Penn State Industries BS10S Mini Stainless Steel Bottle Stopper Kit (5 Pack)Check priceBest Stopper Chuck
Peachtree Woodworking 1 in. x 8 TPI Bottle Stopper Chuck with Pilot Hole Drill BitCheck priceBest Complete Chuck System
PSI Woodworking PKBSYST Bottle Stopper Chuck SystemCheck priceQuick picks
- Best Stainless Stopper Kit: Penn State BS10S Mini Stainless Steel Stopper (5 pack). Best for corrosion-resistant stopper hardware with a tapered gasket.
- Best Stopper Chuck: Peachtree 1 in. x 8 TPI Bottle Stopper Chuck. Best for holding blanks on a 1-inch spindle with a pilot-hole bit included.
- Best Complete Chuck System: PSI PKBSYST. Best for a chuck, tap set and drill bit in one purchase.
- Best Gift Set Hardware: Penn State BS3 Corkscrew & Bottle Stopper Combo (10 pack). Best for turning matching stopper and corkscrew sets.
- Best Stopper Blank: LUMBERINC Olive Wood Blank, 2 x 2 x 3 in. Best for a figured blank sized for stoppers.
Comparison table
| Product | Best for | What it is | Key specs (per maker or listing) | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State BS10S (5 pack) | Stopper hardware | Stainless steel mini stopper | Solid stainless, tapered gasket, 3/8 x 16 TPI threaded post, 1-1/2 x 2 in. blank size | Check price |
| Peachtree bottle stopper chuck | Holding the blank | Threaded chuck for the lathe spindle | 1 in. x 8 TPI mount, 3/8 x 16 TPI stud, pilot-hole drill bit included | Check price |
| PSI PKBSYST | Complete holding system | Chuck system | Bottle stopper chuck, tap set and 5/16 in. drill bit | Check price |
| Penn State BS3 (10 pack) | Gift sets | Corkscrew and stopper combo hardware | Hardware only; blanks sold separately | Check price |
| LUMBERINC olive wood blank | Blanks | Stopper blank | 2 x 2 x 3 in., one piece | Check price |
The best bottle stopper turning kits, reviewed
1. Penn State BS10S Mini Stainless Steel Bottle Stopper Kit: Best Stainless Stopper Kit
Who it's for: anyone making stoppers to use or give, who wants hardware that will not rust or stain.
Penn State Industries describes the BS10S as a stainless steel mini bottle stopper made from solid, magnetic, acid-corrosion-resistant stainless, with a tapered gasket and a low-profile design. Its product page lists a 1-1/2 x 2-inch blank size, says the stopper is turned with Penn State's bottle stopper chuck on a stopper mandrel, and rates it easy. The Amazon listing gives a 3/8 x 16 TPI threaded post and makes clear the kit is hardware only: blanks, drill bits and turning tools are not included.
The low-profile, mini design suits smaller tops and leaves the wooden part as the focus. A 5-pack lets you make a batch at once, which is the efficient way to make stoppers: drill several blanks, then turn and finish them together.
Pros
- Solid stainless steel, corrosion resistant
- Tapered gasket for a seal
- Standard 3/8 x 16 TPI post fits common stopper chucks
- Five kits per pack
Cons
- Hardware only, no blanks
- Mini size limits very large tops
- Drill size not stated on the listing; follow the instructions
Penn State Industries BS10S Mini Stainless Steel Bottle Stopper Kit (5 Pack)
by Penn State Industries
2. Peachtree Bottle Stopper Chuck: Best Stopper Chuck
Who it's for: owners of 1 in. x 8 TPI lathes who want the simplest way to hold stopper blanks.
Peachtree Woodworking sells a bottle stopper chuck that threads onto a 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle and carries a 3/8 x 16 TPI stud for standard stopper kits, with a pilot-hole drill bit included. You drill the blank, screw it onto the stud, and turn the whole top with no tailstock in the way, so you can shape the end and the sides in one setup.
Because it threads straight onto the spindle, it is shorter and stiffer than a mandrel held in a four-jaw chuck. Check your spindle thread before ordering: on a 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI lathe you would need an adapter or a different chuck. Our lathe spindle thread size chart lists common lathes.
Pros
- Threads directly onto a 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle
- 3/8 x 16 TPI stud fits common stopper kits
- Pilot-hole drill bit included
- No tailstock needed while shaping
Cons
- Only fits 1 in. x 8 TPI spindles directly
- One stud size
- Blank must be drilled accurately
Peachtree Woodworking 1 in. x 8 TPI Bottle Stopper Chuck with Pilot Hole Drill Bit
by Peachtree Woodworking Supply
3. PSI PKBSYST Bottle Stopper Chuck System: Best Complete Chuck System
Who it's for: turners who want everything for holding and threading stopper blanks in one box.
Penn State's PKBSYST is a bottle stopper chuck system; its Amazon listing, sold through Peachtree, says it includes a bottle stopper chuck, a tap set and a 5/16-inch drill bit. The tap lets you cut threads in the blank's hole, so the blank screws onto the chuck firmly and the stopper hardware threads in cleanly afterward.
It is the more complete option if you are new to stoppers and do not want to source the drill and tap separately. Check the listing for how the chuck mounts to your lathe before you order, as mounting options vary by system.
Pros
- Chuck, tap set and drill bit together
- Tapped holes hold firmly
- From the maker of many stopper kits
- Good for batch production
Cons
- Mounting details need checking for your lathe
- Tapping adds a step
- More expensive than a chuck alone
PSI Woodworking PKBSYST Bottle Stopper Chuck System
by PSI Woodworking
4. Penn State BS3 Corkscrew & Bottle Stopper Combo Kit: Best Gift Set Hardware
Who it's for: turners making matching stopper and corkscrew gift sets.
The BS3 is a corkscrew and bottle stopper combo kit from Penn State Industries, sold as a woodturning project in a 10-pack (and as a single kit). You turn wooden handles for both pieces, so they match in species and style. Like the other kits, it is hardware only.
Matched sets are popular gifts and sell well at craft fairs. Turn both parts from the same blank so the grain and color match, and finish them together. Check Penn State's instructions for the drill sizes and blank sizes each part needs, since corkscrew handles differ from stopper tops.
Pros
- Corkscrew and stopper in one kit
- 10-pack for batch making
- Matching gift sets
- Also sold as a single kit
Cons
- Hardware only
- Few specs on the listing
- Two parts to drill and fit per set
Penn State Industries BS3 Corkscrew & Bottle Stopper Combo Kit (10 Pack)
by Penn State Industries
5. LUMBERINC Olive Wood Bottle Stopper Blank: Best Stopper Blank
Who it's for: anyone who wants a figured blank sized for a stopper.
LUMBERINC sells olive wood stopper blanks at 2 x 2 x 3 inches. That size leaves room for most stopper shapes, from a simple dome to a taller finial-style top, and olive wood's dark streaks show off well on a small, rounded form.
Dense, figured woods are a common choice for stoppers because they finish to a high shine and hold crisp detail. Any sound, dry hardwood offcut works too; the AAW says turning stock should be free of cracks, splits and checks. Our wood blanks for turning guide covers other species and sizes.
Pros
- Sized for stoppers
- Figured olive wood
- Leaves room for taller shapes
- Easy to batch with several blanks
Cons
- Single blank per listing
- Check moisture and cracks before drilling
- Dust from some species can irritate; use dust protection
LUMBERINC Olive Wood Bottle Stopper Blank, 2 x 2 x 3 in. (1 pc)
by LUMBERINC
Buying guide: choosing a bottle stopper turning kit
Stopper types
| Type | How it seals | Notes | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel with gasket | Tapered rubber or silicone gasket on a stainless body | Corrosion resistant, most common for gifts | See options |
| Chrome-plated | Plated metal with a cork or rubber seal | Look; plating can wear over time | See options |
| Tapered rubber or cork | The stopper itself seals | Simple; wears and needs replacing | See options |
Stainless steel is the choice most turners make for stoppers that will be used, because it does not rust or stain with wine or spirits.
Stud thread
Most stainless stopper kits use a threaded stud that screws into the wooden top. A 3/8 x 16 TPI stud is common, and stopper chucks such as Peachtree's use the same thread. Match the chuck or mandrel to the kit's stud, and use the drill size the kit specifies.
Ways to hold the blank
- Bottle stopper chuck: threads onto the spindle and screws into the drilled blank. Fastest and stiffest.
- Stopper mandrel in a four-jaw chuck: a threaded mandrel held in the jaws. Works on any spindle thread.
- Pin jaws or small dovetail jaws: hold a tenon on the blank. Works, but you have to turn the tenon away later.
Blank size
Common stopper blanks run from about 1-1/2 to 2 inches square and 2 to 3 inches long. Penn State lists 1-1/2 x 2 inches for the BS10S mini stopper. Bigger blanks allow taller or wider shapes but get heavier on the stopper, which can make the bottle top-heavy.
Drill bits and taps
Use the bit size the kit's instructions specify. Penn State's instructions for one of its stopper kits call for a 23/64-inch bit, while its PKBSYST system includes a 5/16-inch bit and a tap set, so sizes vary by kit and method. Drill on the lathe with a drill chuck in the tailstock, or on a drill press with the blank clamped, so the hole is square to the end.
How to turn a bottle stopper, step by step
- Choose a sound, dry blank with no cracks or checks.
- Mark the center on one end and drill the hole to the depth and size your kit specifies. Drilling on the lathe with a drill chuck in the tailstock keeps the hole on center; the AAW says to seat the drill chuck's taper fully and extend the quill only as far as needed.
- Tap the hole if your kit or chuck system calls for it.
- Mount the blank on the stopper chuck or mandrel, screwing it down until the end of the blank seats flat against the chuck face.
- Set a low speed and stand aside when you switch on. For a 2-inch blank, the AAW's spindle chart suggests 2,000 RPM as a ceiling; start well below that while the blank is still square.
- Rough to round with a spindle roughing gouge or spindle gouge.
- Shape the top with a spindle gouge, working from the larger diameter toward the smaller. Leave the base diameter matched to the stopper's metal collar.
- Sand with the tool rest removed, at a moderate speed.
- Finish with a durable, water-resistant finish; our woodturning finishes guide compares options.
- Assemble by threading the stopper hardware into the hole, with a drop of epoxy if the kit instructions call for it.
Common mistakes
- Drilling off center or at an angle. The stopper wobbles on the bottle. Drill on the lathe or a drill press.
- Using the wrong drill size for the kit's stud.
- Ignoring the base diameter. A base that does not match the metal collar looks unfinished.
- A thin, soft finish. Wax alone wears quickly on a stopper that is handled every day.
- Making the top too heavy. Big, dense tops can tip a bottle.
- Skipping the face shield. Small work still throws chips; the AAW says safety glasses or goggles with side protection are the minimum for small items, and a full face shield is needed for chuck work.
How we chose
We did not test these kits ourselves. We compared the hardware, threads, blank sizes and included parts listed by Penn State Industries, Peachtree and LUMBERINC, and weighed them against AAW guidance on drilling and turning speed. Where makers leave out a spec, such as the drill size on a listing, we say so and point you to the kit instructions.
FAQ
What do I need to turn a bottle stopper?
A lathe, a stopper hardware kit, a blank (often about 1-1/2 to 2 inches square and 2 to 3 inches long), a drill bit sized for the kit's stud, and a way to hold the blank, usually a bottle stopper chuck or mandrel that threads into the drilled hole. Add a spindle gouge, sandpaper, a durable finish and a face shield.
What size blank do I need for a bottle stopper?
It depends on the kit and the shape you want. Penn State lists a 1-1/2 x 2-inch blank size for its BS10S mini stopper, and 2 x 2 x 3-inch blanks such as LUMBERINC's olive wood blank leave room for larger shapes. Check your kit's instructions for the minimum size.
What drill bit size do I need for a bottle stopper kit?
Use the size in your kit's instructions, because it depends on the stud thread and whether you tap the hole. Kits with a 3/8 x 16 TPI stud commonly call for a pilot hole that the stud threads into; Penn State's instructions for one of its stopper kits call for a 23/64-inch bit, and its PKBSYST chuck system includes a 5/16-inch bit and a tap set. Follow the kit you buy.
Do I need a special chuck for bottle stoppers?
It is the easiest way. A bottle stopper chuck threads onto your lathe spindle and has a threaded stud that screws into the drilled blank, so you can shape the whole top without a tailstock in the way. Peachtree's chuck threads onto a 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle with a 3/8 x 16 TPI stud. You can also hold blanks in pin jaws or on a mandrel.
What finish should I use on a wooden bottle stopper?
Use a durable, water-resistant finish, because stoppers are handled often and get splashed. Many turners use a hard film finish rather than a soft wax or a thin friction polish. The stainless part, not the wood, touches the drink on most kits; follow the finish maker's label for cure time before use.
Verdict
For most turners, the best bottle stopper turning kit is a pack of Penn State BS10S stainless stoppers with Peachtree's 1 in. x 8 TPI stopper chuck: corrosion-resistant hardware and the simplest way to hold the blank. Choose the PSI PKBSYST if you want the chuck, tap and bit together, and the BS3 combo kits for matched gift sets. For more small projects, see our pen turning kits and wood lathe projects guides.