Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
20" Walnut Rolling Pins.
Barbara Gill, Remlik Virginia
>A former customer of mine has just contacted me about turning some 20" (not including handles) one piece rolling pins. The tree has not yet been taken down. Has anyone turned something like this? I would think the blocks should be well seasoned before the pin is turned.
Just in case someone is afraid of using walnut for something which will contact food, I really don't think it is a problem unless she eats the wood. :-)
Re: 20" Walnut Rolling Pins. *LINK*
Joe Herrmann
>I used to make a lot of one-piece rolling pins when I was doing craft/art shows. I used a design that I adapted from an old antique pin that I saw at an auction many many years ago. I've put a link below to the photo of one of the ends.
I found that the wood had to be very dry else the cylinder ovaled out of shape.
Joe
Rolling Pins
Re: 20" Walnut Rolling Pins.
Gary in Zirconia,NC
>Although walnut would work, it is open grain and I would advise against it since it could pick up and hold food particals. I would recomend the usual maple or simular.
Re: 20" Walnut Rolling Pins.
Richard Allen
>Hi Barbara
Yes, well seasoned is a good idea.
What's the story on the tree?
Is this a tree with a sentamental significance for the former customer?
Thanks
Richard
Re: 20" Walnut Rolling Pins.
Barbara Gill, Remlik Virginia
>Thanks Joe; they are beautiful.
Re: 20" Walnut Rolling Pins.
Barbara Gill, Remlik Virginia
>Gary, that is not up to me. She specifically asked to have them turned out of her walnut.
Re: 20" Walnut Rolling Pins.
Barbara Gill, Remlik Virginia
>They are taking down three trees, the walnut, a cherry and a magnolia, to make way for an addition. About three years ago they contacted me about a magnolia they were taking down. I cut it into boards and some blanks. I turned 8 bowls and 12 trenchers for them.
They also want some bowls from this wood plus the rolling pins. The home is historic but I don't know how old the trees are.
very well seasoned
e
>barbara:
i've made many rolling pins from various woods -- those from wood not well-seasoned warped, compressed and were impossible to use as rolling pins. additionally, some started to split several weeks after finishing ... i ended up using them as studio-mallets, ice-crushers and dog dumbbells.
those made from wood that was air-dried to equilibrium stayed true and i didn't have any splitting. but then the dog was unhappy
e
Re: 20" Walnut Rolling Pins.
Richard Allen
>Hi Barbara
That sounds nice.
Is she willing to wait 3 years for the rolling pins?
I guess you could kiln dry some of the wood for the rolling pins.
Do you have a place in mind that will do kiln drying? There is a place up here that works with thick stock and often does walnut. Perhaps you could get a couple of slabs on his schedule.
Thanks
Richard
Re: 20" Walnut Rolling Pins.
Barbara Gill, Remlik Virginia
>Thanks Richard. Boiling the billets was suggested on WOW. Seasoning thick walnut is usually not a problem for me. Cracking is rare unless the end grain is not covered with AnchorSeal. Time is the factor here even though she knows the wood needs to dry completely and is not in a hurry.
