Spindle Turning Project Kits for Members?

[Don Stephan]

Bowl turning blanks would seem relatively easy to obtain by many who are members of AAW chapters. Utility wire trimmers often leave on the ground firewood sized pieces of wood. There are a plethora of tree maintenance companies that likely would make available pieces of wood at their yard. Granted, not everyone has a chain saw and/or bandsaw to process, but fellow members may be willing to collaborate. And drawings aren't needed to turn bowl shapes.

But those looking to turn spindle projects are much more limited. Unlike chiunks of tree, wood for spindle blank projects most often come from pieces of lumber. Lumber can be expensive and often is broken down with a table saw and sliding miter saw or circular saw, and a band saw.

Do any AAW chapters offer spindle turning kits for members, consisting of appropriately sized wood blanks and full sized drawing at cost?

 

[Richard Findley]

Hi Don

Not exactly kits, but on my YouTube channel there are two spindle projects (more to come) with full demos and downloadable plans (free downloads from my website).

One is a ‘skew-friendly’ design, designed around using planed 2x2 from a DIY store: Video here

The other is a stylised acorn finial which could be in hardwood or softwood: Video here

Each year, I do a Christmas challenge on my Instagram, this year it will be on my YouTube too, so that will be out at the start of December.

Hope this is helpdul

Richard

 

[Mike Brazeau]

Here is a screenshot from a presentation I did on wood processing about ten years ago. When I had log sections, I processed a portion of it into spindle blanks which I endcoated with melted wax in an electric frypan and just dried in my basement or put them in my kiln. Rarely lost a blank. I have more than enough in numerous species to last the remainder of my turning adventure in my 80s.

 

[Dean Center]

As Mike says above, FOG wood makes spindle blanks just as easily as bowl blanks. You just have to let them dry a while. Rather than kits, your club should invest in a band saw, if nobody has one.

 

[Tom Albrecht]

Bowl turning blanks would seem relatively easy to obtain by many who are members of AAW chapters. Utility wire trimmers often leave on the ground firewood sized pieces of wood. There are a plethora of tree maintenance companies that likely would make available pieces of wood at their yard. Granted, not everyone has a chain saw and/or bandsaw to process, but fellow members may be willing to collaborate. And drawings aren't needed to turn bowl shapes.

But those looking to turn spindle projects are much more limited. Unlike chiunks of tree, wood for spindle blank projects most often come from pieces of lumber. Lumber can be expensive and often is broken down with a table saw and sliding miter saw or circular saw, and a band saw.

Do any AAW chapters offer spindle turning kits for members, consisting of appropriately sized wood blanks and full sized drawing at cost?

 

[Tom Albrecht]

Cincinnati must have cabinet & millwork shops. They often save nice kiln dried scraps for firewood collectors and wood collectors.

 

[Doug Freeman]

There are plenty of kits, sans the wood, for sale from many suppliers. Make a list of the kits you would like to make, and include the recommended blank size. You will then have an idea of the different blank sizes needed. Some sellers will include a blank with a kit.

As others described, blanks can be made from logs or various scrap sources (I try to make some from long strait pieces of log from time to time and keep them on a shelf). The other option is buy precut spindle blanks and cut to length.

 

[John K Jordan]

While I do cut some from boards, especially when I want to use exotics, I cut almost all my spindle blanks from local green wood and dry them before use. I have thousands now. It's so easy with just a bandsaw. For those who haven't seen it, I made a video for a pandemic zoom meeting. Includes some about the bandsaw, sharp blades, safety, and how to proceed. Contains a few words about drying. (Cutting and drying spindle blanks is quick and easy - just need access to a bandsaw). I think I'm scheduled for a demo on this sometime in '26

Projects for spindle turning are easy to find by looking. I prefer projects that don't require purchasing kits of hardware but I will on occasion, keep a bunch on hand for when someone is interested in making something.

Thread 'Making useful turning blanks from logs'

Oct 8, 2024

My “Logs to Blanks” video shows how I use a shop bandsaw to make useful turning blanks from log sections. I almost always turn dry wood so I include a little information on drying.

I made this video during the Covid pandemic for a club Zoom meeting demo. It’s long, about 45 minutes, but it’s a severely cut down version of my 4-hour bandsaw class - I had to leave out a lot of information but this might be a good introduction. I tried not to skimp on safety!

I shot and edited this video in a rush so it seriously needs some changes and additions. Unfortunately, the chances of me...

• John K Jordan
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Tutorials and Tips

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Anyone who want's ideas on projects or how to process and dry spindle blanks is welcome to visit my shop and farm for private instruction. (Clinton, TN)





JKJ