ryandetzel Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 So i'm not even close to making these but I'll probably end up making a crib in the future and after watching some videos of lathe use I'm curious how one goes about making say 30 identical spindles. Is it a pain in the ass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 I'm no turning pro, but I'd say a story stick and calipers should get you close. I'd also say yes it'd be a PITA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 CNC lathe, Lathe duplicator, story stick and caliper, buy them at Rockler. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric71m Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 Lathe duplicator!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwatson Posted November 18, 2011 Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 lathe duplicators are how some do it but cnc is how large manufacturers do them. just put a stick in and out comes a finished piece. hobbyist might do them with either lathe duplicator or calipers and just getting it close enough. lathe duplicators don't have to be fancy either just a cutter on a tool holder and a pattern to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nateswoodworks Posted November 18, 2011 Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 Duplicator would be the way to go because of how close the spindles are to eachother. Since the spacing is so close they really have to be pretty spot on since they are easily compared and much variance would be highly noticable. Watch for used ones, it seems like people buy them for a big job or two and then part with them. I have a Rockler version (really not a very good unit but it works) that I paid $200 new years ago and I have seen real good units go for cheaper that that-on second thought want to buy a Rockler duplicator Is this for you? Nate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmac Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 This guy has a couple of videos about a homemade router lathe: http://lumberjocks.com/AlexHarris/projects -- Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimV Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 30? Is it for a stairwell? They'll be adjacent to one another? My recommendation, don't make them, buy them. There are enough suppliers from online retailers to Home Depot or Lowes that carry spindles. With a little looking, you will be able to find the profile you want or at least very close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torch02 Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 For the crib I built, I cut X blank squares, then ran each corner of each "spindle" across a roundover bit in my router table. This gives you an oval shape to each piece. With the proper featherboards and a push stick, it can be a safe operation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryandetzel Posted November 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 We're probably going to make it out of black walnut and I can't find a supplier that has them in walnut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimV Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Custom order? Otherwise, depending on the profile you have selected, you'll need a lathe with at least a spindle length capability + a few inches of the length of the spindles you want ( a mini-lathe probably won't work here) and a duplicator if you want them to match exactly. You could do it by hand with a template and calipers but will be very slow going and probably won't match exactly. But this is a great opportunity to get into the wonderful world of turning! You'll be hooked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViolinMagick Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 Take your time and do them by hand without a duplicator. Duplicators do not reproduce spindles exactly and always look like they were done with a duplicator. When you are doing as many as 30 or even 10 of a particular pattern, you will develop a certain feel for the pattern and it becomes almost second nature for you and after the first 2-3, it will go fast. As others have said, use a story stick and also use sharp tools. Take your time and sharpen all of your lathe tools BEFORE you start and hone them between every post. Hope this helps. Cheers, VM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveR Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 Practice, practice, practice. Unless you are good at turning, it is a real PITA. And even if you are good, they will never be identical but you can get close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 I don't know if you are concerned with historical or stylistic authenticity, but I believe that Victorian spindles were usually factory made and mass produced. What style is the crib? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoFF Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 How expensive is black walnut where you live? Where I'm from it'd be pricey - there's more wood to a crib than you might think. Also, if other kids are like mine they'll chew it up when they're bored or waiting for you to come get them. I bought mine, glad I did. He killed the top rail and he's outgrown it after a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdale51@yahoo.com Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 If you're not stuck on round spindles I'm in the process of building what is basicaly Rockler's 3 in 1 crib...Jim over at provenwoodworking.com adapted thier plans and also designed a pretty neat jig to get all 52 spindles identicle. You may want to check it out. One word of caution if you take this route; take your time making the jig any flaws in the jig show up in each of the spindles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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