Spindle turning advice a call from the other side

Re: Spindle turning advice a call from the other s

tdaniel

>A Raffin video and a steady rest would be helpful. I think you have the tools needed. Do you have good sharpening equipment? A set of open end wrenches can be very useful for measuring diameters. You'll get more info from some of the spindle turners on here....I do mostly faceplate work.

TD

Re: Spindle turning advice a call from the other s

JL

>Being into Windsor chair building myself, I typically don't turn the spindles of the chairs. I rough shape them with a drawknife and finish them with spokeshaves.

I turn the legs, stretchers and stiles (for those chairs that have stiles). What tools? Roughing gouge, spindle gouge, skew and parting tool are fine. Accessory tools - calipers, open end wrenches and dial caliper.

Tools/accessories that are sometimes useful: bedan, spindle steady (especially for long stiles).

Re: Spindle turning advice a call from the other s

JL

>Oh yes, get a video or two, take a lesson or two, read a book or two (Keith Rowley's, Ernie Conover's). Grab yourself a couple of maple or similar blanks and practice turning beads and coves.

Re: Spindle turning advice a call from the other s

Ruth Niles

>Hi Eric,

I've been making most of my living turning spindles (aka: architectural reproduction) mostly reproduction work for antique dealers (those 150 yr. old chairs with a spindle missing).

If you've been doing flat work, I'm sure you're quite apt with sharp tools. : ) And I'm sure you know how to sharpen tools. Personally I don't think you need a video, lessons or a book. Put the wood between centers, take a gouge and see how the cutting edge cuts. If it's not cutting like you think it should, turn the tool so the cutting edge addresses the wood at a different angle and see how that cuts. Keep the bevel rubbing and go gently until you get the feel. Use the skew and expect a catch but you'll get the hang of it in a few minutes; trust me.....have I ever lied to you? ; )

Yes, drawknife and shaves : )

Ted Owen, Pittsburgh

>

Can't say you have

Eric Hedberg

>Ruth,

I think its the transition to my "work" being spun at me at high velocity that always makes me a little leary of turning. I've played some with really simple profiles to get the feel enough to know that a "catch" is not always as benign as it sounds. I suspect, though, it will take me more than a few minutes to master my skew. Eric

Not even my beloved spokeshaves

Eric Hedberg

>can bead or cove the legs of a windsor, Ted. Thus I am forced to "turn" to other means, at least until Veritas or LN come up with a beadshave;-) Eric

Re: Spindle turning advice a call from the other s

Keith Tompkins

>Eric, you may as well hang up the hand tools now...once you start turning, all they will do is collect dust! LOL!

I suggest finding a good spindle turner in a local turning club to start, it will avoid a lot of frustration, and lessen the learning curve tremendously.

Turning legs for Windsor chairs is great fun! I was a supervisor in a plant that produced 300 chairs a day!

Re: Spindle turning advice a call from the other s

Charles Bjorgen

>Because Eric is local to me, I have contacted him to see if he would like to take some lessons from one of our club members. My recommendation is that three or four hours spent with an experienced turner followed with his own practice will provide him with a good basis for turning spindles. I know of at least one other club member who joined our group because of his interest in chair making.