Spindle Turning, Russ? *LINK*

Re: Spindle Turning, Russ?

Brad Vietje

>Jorge,

While only Russ knew what he had in mind, I've heard this from a number of well-known turners. If you are skilled at spindle turning, and especially if you have large equipment to do architectural-sized turnings, you can make a good living from turning. A friend of mine makes his living entirely from architectural spindle turning.

When an architectural firm is hired to makeover an office complex, or restore historic brownstones, they often need the services of a talented woodturner for balusters, newel posts and all sorts of architectural turnings. Money is not the same issue as it is at a craft fair, where Aunt Mildred is fretting over spending the $ 60.00 for a birthday gift for Uncle Nosehair. These are usually multi-million dollar projects. Then there's all the nice people out there restoring old homes and office buildings -- they don't offer the sort of turnings they will want at Home Depot. They just don't make 'em like they used to, but if you do, you can, and at a profit, too.

Who knows, someday I may join the spindle turners out there, but I can't imagine it's as much fun as bowls...

Safe spinning,

Brad Vietje

Thetford, VT

Re: Spindle Turning, Russ?

Russ

>I am defining "spindle turning" as furniture and architectural parts. I use the term "real money" because there is more potential return per hour in turning spindles than anything else we can do.

The other thing is that "real money" is a steady income. Unlike "art" where we make something and then try to sell it, architectural and furniture items are always sold before we make them. We will never get rich, but there is higher potential income from spindle turning than anything else we can do at a wood lathe.

Marketing is the key word in "It will take some marketing effort to get started, but there is a definite need" for such things. Don't even try to compete with the stock items that are turned on a multiple spindle machine, because there is no way that we can. However, there are those markets that cannot be filled from the stock profile catalog: things like restorations, special profiles, and special wood for furniture. Any area where there are a lot of "high money" restorations of older homes is a market waiting to be served, especially if they have historical significance and authenticity is required.

A couple examples: I was into turning legs for the restoration of grand pianos that had stood knee deep in water for several months following the floods in the MidWest a few years back. A more recent job was one replacement leg turned from Ebony for a large Zebrawood dining table.

And, don't forget the marine market for boat and ship restorations. Old boats used a lot of turned wood, and in forms and species that are not available from a catalog. There can be a good market for something as simple as a belaying pin.

Getting into the spindle turning market takes a lot of time, starting with serving the needs of the local architects and builders. It doesn't take very long for the word to spread because, as I said, there are "very few woodturners who are willing to, or want to turn spindles." And there are even fewer of them who are willing to spend the time to develop the quality that the high-end of the market demands.

Thank you, Brad and Russ !

Fred in NC

>I had the same questions !!!!

Going into retirement, and would like to make a few xtra dollars here and there.

Lathe extension for a full-sized lathe ?

Thanks !

Re: Spindle Turning, Russ?

John Lucas

>Don't forget the local molding and lumber suppliers. I've gotten a couple of jobs from them but have had to turn down several because I couldn't possibly meet the deadlines due to working a full time job.

Thanks Russ, Brad and John

Jorge Casta�eda

>I see now what you mean, not as much fun, true, but the potential of steady work is very apealing. Around here there is a lot of new construction, most of it slam bang, but some of it high end, and in near towns there is some restauration going.

And there are also boat yards. Uhmmm...

It would not hurt rying to tap into that market, and this information could not be more timely, because I am looking both for a better lathe and a new source of income.

Thanks!

Re: Spindle Turning, Russ?

Ruth

>Russ,

I must agree with all that you said. I make my living with lathe work and the majority of it is spindle reproduction work. I like the fact that as soon as it's made, it's paid for.

One aspect you didn't mention is antique restoration such as general dealers who need one chair spindle replaced on a 100 yr. old chair.

There's one dealer who will call me from an auction, say something like "there's a bed here missing a finial, how much?" then he bids accordingly and I get the job.

Quick story; this same dealer usually just leaves work in my shop or barn, there's a board (plank) 18" wide, 2" thick and 6 ft. long. I called and asked "what's the plank for?", him, "it's not a plank, it's a hall bench.....once you turn 2 arms, 8 legs, 16 stretchers, ..." etc.

Re: Spindle Turning, Russ?

Keith Tompkins

>HI Brad, I used to think...what's the big deal about all these bowl turners? Bowls certainly can't be as much fun or involve as much skill as spindle turning! Now I'm addicted to both.

Re: Spindle Turning, Russ?

Peter Teubel

>I also do spindle turning when a job comes along. Good money in it! To me, its still an enjoyable experience, just more exacting. One thing I do specify with all jobs is the client MUST supply the wood in finished dimensioned form. If I have to do ANY flat-wood prep, I literally double the price of the job (including the cost of materials, of course). That usually gets them to supply the ready-to-turn wood, though not always.

Re: Spindle Turning, Russ?

Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA

>Jorge, maybe we spent time on the wrong things when you were here, eh? ;-) I do spindle work on a regular basis too, although not as much as I might. I do the same as Peter - they have to supply the wood or the price goes way up. I also get a fair number of people who want it done right now and for competitive prices with the Borg and what they have to offer. They don't get very far.

Spindles are a nice change from bowls, although there is more pressure involved. If I mess one up, guess who has to fix it - i.e. find wood, machine it, etc. Of course, I have to worry about Ruth coming to town now! ;-) "This town ain't big enough for the two of us", she says. Heck, most of the time it isn't big enough for me all by myself!

Bill

Re: Spindle Turning, Russ?

Jorge Casta�eda

>Bill,

>maybe we spent time on the wrong things when you were here, eh?<

Non such, the time was very well spent and I am starting that bed project.

With Ruth there, Kutztown will be a better place... : )

Re: Spindle Turning, Russ?

Jorge Casta�eda

>Good advice Peter,

I will remember that.

Thanks

Jorge

Re: Spindle Turning, Russ?

Jorge Casta�eda

>Ruth,

Thanks for the pointer, it may come handy as Maine is infested with antique dealers.

You're both Making Me Blush!

Ruth

>

Re: Spindle Turning, Russ?

Guest

>I have ended up doing a lot of spindle (non-ornamental or "art") work for the past few years myself. It's both in the form of production items like kitchenware (treen) that I sell to regional retailers and also architectural / structural customers that call me up with custom orders. It far far exceeds any income I get from the bowls, hollowforms, and other things. Of course, that could very well be that I'm not nearly as good at those either. ha!

Seriously, once the word gets out, you might be inundated with orders as I have been this summer. In fact, I'm escaping the outside heat for a little bit but I need to get back to a small order of 20 items I promised a company for Saturday. Sometimes you get these small orders and sometimes you get orders for 600 of something. Or maybe nothing at all! If you live in an area with lots of "round stuff" in the architecture and furniture, you'll probably stay busy. I don't and am still busy filling orders. I think some of that has to do with it being often cheaper for me to produce and ship it east, south or west rather than having it done in their own backyard.

Turning isn't my main occupation ... but I have sure been working hard enough on it for the past (almost) 2 years now that it might as well be.