When using a lathe, Nathaniel V relied on pieces called puppets to hold the stock as it was turned. The puppets could be moved lengthwise to accommodate different length pieces or could be swapped out entirely. The arbor and cross which Nathaniel V used to make the tea table’s top was attached to its own puppet. When positioned at the very end of the lathe bed the holes in the cross allowed it to be screwed to the back surface of the table top. Used with the powerful great wheel lathe, the entire table top could thus be spun and shaped We know that this table’s top was turned on this arbor and cross in part because the screw holes can still be seen on the underside of the table.