The other day, I posted another rolling pin. There have been several requests about how to make them. I thought I should update this tutorial with the new and improved trimming jig.

Top of jig- hold down clamps, handle, and cutout. The cutout is the main new part to this jig. Previously I was using my tapering jig. The problem I encountered was that if the trimming process was not perfectly flush with the pin blank during the first trimming operation, then the blank would not clamp flat during the next set of trimmings. Because the blank doesn’t have to be perfect at this point, I changed the jig so the blank is only supported on the ends during all trimming processes. This eliminated the problem.

Bottom of jig- I used a miter slot runner on this jig, that way I don’t have to bother with the rip fence as I did with my taper jig.

Close up of the thin pieces that create the knot. I make the thin strips the same width as the pin blank. During the cutting/assembly process, the diagonal slot, for these strips, is cut in the blank but NOT all the way thru. The cut leaves about 1/16” of the blank in tack. This maintains the knots orientation evenly around the blank. The strips stick up a little because of the little part that’s not cut. I guess I could be more accurate but not every pin blank ends up exactly 2” square so I don’t take any chances.

The blank on the jig: When I made the jig, I made it wide and trimmed it on the saw. The saw blade will trim the blank flush with the edge of the jig. So aligning the blank with the edge of the jig trims everything pretty flush.

Close up of one end of the strips ready to be cut.
If anyone has questions, comments or an idea how this could be done any other way, I’m open for new ideas!
Lew
-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

















17 comments so far
Karson
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34367 posts in 2565 days
#1 posted 1384 days ago
Great set of shots. Thanks for the review.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
a1Jim
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86918 posts in 1742 days
#2 posted 1384 days ago
Hey Lew
good close ups
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
gene
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2185 posts in 2049 days
#3 posted 1384 days ago
Hey! Lew,
Just saw this post on the rolling pin. You are doing a great job with the postings. Kinda makes me wish that I hadn’t sold the ole lathe.(LOL)
Keep up the good work!
God bless!
-- Gene, a Christian in Virginia
woodworm
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14104 posts in 1756 days
#4 posted 1384 days ago
Hi Lew.
The jigs developed by craft woodworker works better., for sure.
Thanks for sharing the trade secret.
Take care & may God bless you!
-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.
Beginningwoodworker
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13225 posts in 1838 days
#5 posted 1384 days ago
Thanks for the review, lew.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
mtnwild
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3474 posts in 1692 days
#6 posted 1384 days ago
Great jig! Thanks for all the info, very cool….............
-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.
Don K.
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1075 posts in 1491 days
#7 posted 1384 days ago
Thanks Lew !!!!!
-- Don S.E. OK
tomd
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1310 posts in 1935 days
#8 posted 1384 days ago
Thanks for a great tutorial, nice work.
-- Tom D
Innovator
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3584 posts in 1578 days
#9 posted 1383 days ago
Thanks for the update it is very helpful.
-- Whether You Think You Can or You Think You Can't, YOU ARE RIGHT!!!
Andy
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1336 posts in 2073 days
#10 posted 1382 days ago
Your design is fantastic!! And your tutorial is very well done,easy to understand.
Thanks for all your time and hardwork :-)
-- If I can do it, so can you. www.artboxesbyandy.com
Napaman
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5010 posts in 2242 days
#11 posted 1377 days ago
taken me two days to catch up…thanks for the instructions lew!!!
-- Matt--Proud LJ since 2007
Den
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91 posts in 1354 days
#12 posted 1290 days ago
Lew, very well done, if you want to see it done differently, go to google and type in Making a double cross pen. with your knowledge you can make it close to what you have I think. also this website I believe is the same http://www.woodturningonline.com/Turning/Turning_content/DoubleCrossPen.pdf, thank you for sharing your Idea.
Den
Den
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91 posts in 1354 days
#13 posted 1288 days ago
Lew, let me know if you come up with different designs using the website I gave you, I would be interested in what you come up with. (Very interested)
Den
Hacksaw007
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560 posts in 1354 days
#14 posted 1259 days ago
I have a headache! Your out of my ballpark….. I would love to do this, but don’t believe that I have the shop skills or the understanding to currently make this. This would be a very nice thing to film and put on u-tube or sell it. I know I would buy one. I have not given up, but am only being truthfull about my woodworking skills. I am in central Pennsylvania, where are you located? Thanks for all the good reading and hard work you put out for us here on Lumberjocks. MUCH appreciated.
-- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Tom
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5 posts in 1220 days
#15 posted 1220 days ago
Lew,
I’m new to L J but I really like your rolling pin design. Is there a link to making the first jig you show in your tutorial? If you could post it I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank You,
Tom
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