Woodturning Project: Beginner : Awl

Part in on the tail stock end to about 1/8" or where ever you are comfortable and part off from the other end.

Now we have the handle and ferrule ready for assembly.
Over at the drill press the handle is drilled with a hole the size of the nail to be inserted, in this case 3/16". A depth of 3/4" is sufficient.
The head of the nail is removed by grinding or cutting in some fashion.
The ferrule and nail are mounted and held in place with a drop or two of medium CA.
Traditionally the point on an awl is long and lean. It can be ground free hand but is easier to accomplish with a jig. Here is a simple 1/4" hole in a piece of scrap 1/4" material (a scrap of laminated flooring from the den remodel) held in place at the belt sander with a clamp.
The ferrule is abutted against the jig and the nail rotated counter to the direction of the belt. Incidentally, most knife makers use a sander for sharpening. It can be a very useful grinding tool.
Bring the tip to a point and refine the angle until it is as long as you like. The sparks have never been a problem for me. They do not seem hot enough to start fires but I clean out the sawdust before grinding metal.
All that remains is to trim the bit left from parting off at the end of the handle and apply a bit of finish.

If this has been helpful to you or you have made one of these awls, please let me know.