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Here is my first project A Russian Supported Spindle made of figured maple, it was great fun, and very challenging. My favorite type of skillset.

A russian spindle Desc. for those who don't know. Taken from the Spindle of the world project...

American-Russian spindle designs are derivative of the Orenburg Russian Lace spindle. While Orenburg Russian Lace spindles are designed to spin primarily goat downs and fine fibers, American-Russian spindles are often made of denser woods (weighing more) in order to be suitable for spinning hairier wools.
They consist of a spinning tip, shaft, neck, and supporting point.

Wil suggests that my second project be a tad easier, like a bowl.

Gallery

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Nice…is it Maple?,
I finish by hand to get a nice sharp tip. When I work the blank, I push the 'head' of the spindle fully into the chuck and then shape the shaft…while leaving a decent amount of thickness near the 'tip' end for strength. Then off the lathe to nip the tip and sand it sharp…then flip it 180 degrees and rechuck the spindle shaft, so I can work on the 'head'

As you develop a flare for these, I would suggest taking care towards the tapering tip of the top of the shaft.

This has worked well for making the more delicate 'Russian' spindle designs.

Glad to see what your working on. Thanks for posting it.

Chris
 

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Cool.

Did you make the spinning wheel to go with it?

It looks like it could be a wand for Harry Potter as well.
 

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It is figured maple, was aiming to be longer but found out the hard way that it was still wet in the middle. So they are under the workbench and going to have to dry out before I make any more spindles out of them.

When I get better I may make myself a wheel for plying, but I am perfectly happy spindling.
 

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Great looking spindle! I have made several types of Drop Spindles for my wife and for sale at the local farmers' market. My favorite spindle to make is a drop spindle with a whorl of a contrasting type of wood, purpleheart/walnut and redheart/walnut look nice together. My wife has a spinning wheel, but wants me to make a wheel for her. And for what it's worth she says that you can do a 'Navajo Ply' on a drop spindle or a combination using three spindles for plying.

Dereck
 

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I have a very large plying spindle, is a drop spindle style that my parents purchased for me. however I have seen a few videos of playing on a wheel, and mmm so simple and relaxing.
 
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