Add "Dowel" to the Repertoire

That’s using the old noodle Berg!
That dowel is ten better then store bought because you made it!

Good job!

-- Eric

Sweet. Bet you still have shavings in your socks. (Not that I have had that experience or anything…)

I have spun off some shorter dowel pieces, not sure if I can get 6” long under control yet. So yeah, you did nice work with that…

-- Trying to follow the example of the master.

Now you just need to find some old roller blade wheels and make yourself a home made steady rest. I turn knitting needles up to 16” long on the lathe using a home made steady rest.

-- Those that say it can't be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

......and the best part of that $300.00 jig is the $50.00 1/4” dowel you made for it. LOL. Great job, great patience.

-- John @ Myrtle Beach

Hey Berg,
If you can find someone who will pay $300 for a spindle let me know. I have some wood chips I’d like to sell …;O)

-- Bill // New London NH.

Nice job Berg. Dowels aren’t that easy to turn accurately and this one looks like you did a really good job. I use a different method which I believe is a lot faster and a lot easier. I intend to blog it soon because I’m sure many folks would enjoy the benefits. I hope you read it too. However, this in no way diminishes your accomplishment here, so I hope you don’t think me a killjoy for mentioning that a better method exists. I am also a turner, so I have a basis for comparison.

-- Mike, American in Norway

You did great man, turning narrow stock is a real pain, especially between centers. I wouldn’t worry about it now, but if you’re interested in doing long narrow turnings in the future, look into a collet chuck for you lathe. Keep on turning.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken

I just got a private message that concerns safety and should be part of this thread. I left off his handle. He can chime in if wants to be known.

“Looks like you accomplished what you needed with your dowel project. Congratulations. I have to cringe though at the thought of a glove near anything spinning. I suppose you could probably power out (slip the belts or stop the motor) the wood lathe when you get wrapped up in it. But for safety’s sake I have to say: Use a steady rest, and no gloves near rotary power tools. (This from a guy who did not power out a metal lathe.)”

My response:

“I certainly can’t argue with you about that. I come from a machine tool background also and clothing, gloves and hair are all red flags. I watched an experienced Winsor chair maker spin chair back spindles using the gloved hand for support. I didn’t give it a second when I did the dowel. Thank you for speaking up. I need to rethink that process. I’m an EMT and I know a degloved hand (the skin is pulled off with the glove) is not pretty.
Best regards.
Peter
“

-- Berg, Central NH & Gulfport, FL - "It's raining...what a beautiful day to puddle jump" 3y/o Devlyn

Hey Peter I had the same concerns when I read the post. I have used an open ended wrench that was about three time the size of the dowel, but it still can be dangerous.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com