Ken Fitzgerald
03-04-2006, 12:28 PM
As the market for Official Idaho Salmon Bonkers and Idaho Noggin Knockers doesn't seem to demand much attention on my part as a turner, I decided my first serious project is to be a couple of shaker style candle tables.
John Hart very generously provided some nice sealed cherry 4x4s for the spindles.
And so my questions start for the experienced turners in the group!
1. As near as I can figure using a photo and a cad program, the turned spindle will be about 18" long with a max diameter of 3" and a mininum diameter of 1 1/2"-1 3/4". Will I need to design and build a steady rest for my lathe?
2. What procedure would you recommend for turning these spindles. The cherry is sealed green. Would you recommend turning to a rough size and wait? Turn to a rough size, boil in water, submerge in DNA and then finish turn?
3. I'm going to buy the flat cherry locally for the top and the legs that come off the spindle. How should I handle finishing the dry flat cherry and the somewhat green cherry so they come out looking somewhat matched rather than greatly mismatched? Can this be done?
4. My lathe came with a 6" tool rest. Should I just plan using it and moving it and expect to get a good smooth line on something as big as these spindles or should I build a wood and steel (somewhat adjustable) long tool rest to use to turn these spindles?
I would greatly appreciate any input you might have in helping me determine how to handle this project! I'll have many more questions in the future.
Thanks!
John Hart very generously provided some nice sealed cherry 4x4s for the spindles.
And so my questions start for the experienced turners in the group!
1. As near as I can figure using a photo and a cad program, the turned spindle will be about 18" long with a max diameter of 3" and a mininum diameter of 1 1/2"-1 3/4". Will I need to design and build a steady rest for my lathe?
2. What procedure would you recommend for turning these spindles. The cherry is sealed green. Would you recommend turning to a rough size and wait? Turn to a rough size, boil in water, submerge in DNA and then finish turn?
3. I'm going to buy the flat cherry locally for the top and the legs that come off the spindle. How should I handle finishing the dry flat cherry and the somewhat green cherry so they come out looking somewhat matched rather than greatly mismatched? Can this be done?
4. My lathe came with a 6" tool rest. Should I just plan using it and moving it and expect to get a good smooth line on something as big as these spindles or should I build a wood and steel (somewhat adjustable) long tool rest to use to turn these spindles?
I would greatly appreciate any input you might have in helping me determine how to handle this project! I'll have many more questions in the future.
Thanks!