Drop spindles

So we’re gonna do some weaving, huh? How do you do the work you do with out a steady rest? There’s probably a simple one in this web site somewhere. Man, that’s fine work you’ve done in your other posts. Kepp up the fine work.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Depends on what I am doing. I have learned some things.
1. Speed is your friend. If I have the lathe turning too slow, I will break the spindle almost every time.
2. Sharp tools. Especially with walnut, and cherry, if your tool gets dull, you are likely to break the spindle.
3. Use your finger as a guide for things under 1/4” Once they get really small, you have to support them opposite of the tool, or they will deform, and break.
4. Get stuff with fairly straight grain. If you have interesting grain on a small spindle, chances are it will fly aroud the shop really well too.

I have a small lathe, and work almost excusively with dry wood. Also, I never turn a spindle on my nova chuck. Mainly because it would require more wood than necessary. But also because with using the 2 centers, if I do screw up, the wood will break away, and not snap me as easily.

On the christmas ornaments, I did use my nova chuck, but also used a live center to turn the walnut pieces. The chuck was holding the maple block.

-- David, Charlotte NC (http://beechcreeknaturals.etsy.com)

such a small, delicate project… so impressive.

I showed my daughter-in-law. She says that she has tried it in the past but just can’t get it to work well for her. (the yarn making that is, not wood turning)

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I’m going to try and get a video of the wife using one of these. That way people will have an understanding of just how they are supposed to work.

-- David, Charlotte NC (http://beechcreeknaturals.etsy.com)