We had a spring wind storm a few years back.  The pear tree was forked and the weak side paired off as it resisted the high winds.  I used to work for wood.  So, I stopped and asked the young occupants at the house what they were going to do with the tree.  They had tried to chop it with something.  They wanted to use it in their firepit in the evenings.  I volunteered that I would saw up the smaller parts of the tree into firewood if they would allow me to have the large portion (trunk).  It was agreed.  I had in mind to try to make rolling pins.  I had been told that it is better to use fruit wood because of the acid in other trees.  Ok.  I am not that good, but it worked for me.  Maybe, Lew, Gerald and others can jump on that.  Anyway, some months back I started prepping the wood preserved with Anchor Seal.  First thing is to ensure the bandsaw table and blade are waxed so the wood slides smoothly.  

 

Here comes a chunk of the pear tree.

 

 

 

I never do well with a fence.  I get the blade to bow and it starts tracking somewhere else.  So, I removed the fence and put a piece of tape on the table top in position that I would have placed a fence.  This way I can manuever the piece along as needed.  

 

 

 

 

 

These chips are from rounding the first stick.   

 

 

 

Sawdust from sawing the tree parts into sticks of 2.25" X 2.25"

 

 

 

This is the second roller.  The first one broke from a rotten spot inside.  I saw a defect that I thought I could turn it out, but as it got closer to the center, I noticed that the problem was getting worse.  So, I stopped the machine and the stick fell into 2.  Thankfully, it didn't fly apart while spinning.  This one turned out as 1 3/8" X 14" long.  

Edited February 15, 20206 yr by FlGatorwood
Adding pictures and comments.

I learned somethings about turning these.  I first used a parting tool to get down to the desired size.  I would make several parts, then use the skew to turn down to the target size.  After reaching the intended size, I used 60 grit sandpaper to shape and remove any high points.  I had many nicks or chip outs.  It must be a character of the wood or I didn't have the speed up sufficiently.  After sanding while the machine was running, I could easily see the sandpaper scratch marks.  So, a sheet of 120 and sanding with the grain.  Wow, what a difference.  It also helped to move out the high points as well as removing the scratch marks that went around.  

 

I am going to burn my name and the year into the ends with the letters USA.  

 

 

 

With an application of only mineral oil, you can see the tiger eye configuration in the wood.  

 

 

 

Lew and Pauley, I am not in competition with you.  I will never get that level.  I admire your work, but folks who see these want one.  The one with the 2 dots is showing where the bark was attached to the tree.  The bottom one was requested by a man whose wife wants her dough to be 3/16" uniform.  It is an cheap imitation of the rolling pins with rings.  The largest part is 1.5" in diameter.  The inside is 3/16" thinner.  The challenge is to keep these uniform from end to end.  And, sanding with the grain does wonders.  

Edited February 15, 20206 yr by FlGatorwood
Adding pictures and comments.

Looking good.  Those should handle their intended job nicely and last a lifetime.

They look great!!!  Good idea on the sanding with the grain.  Was something I picked up doing pens, first few NOT doing it were not so good.  

This is a project I want to try but just don't have the time right now. Yoiu done good.

     On the sanding If I start at 180 , I go thru 240 with lathe turning (this is for spindles) , stop the lathe and sand with the grain 240 thru 400 and sometimes 600. To really see the scratches left I use Abralon 500 and 1000 and if there are scratches they will pop.

Glad to see these trees are useful for something. I cut up a boat load last year and burnt it,.....it happens every few years. I have several in my yard. I hate the things,......and I'm a tree lover. Great looking wood though,...I may look at saving some next time. Nice work. 

Some nice work there, that Shopsmith looks like it has some hours, on her.

Great to see ya doing these Steve, and on the Shopsmith too! I have heard that lil bandsaw on the SS had some pretty decent resawing capacity, I know I was pleasantly surprised at the power my Shopsmith BS generates on bigger pieces.

Thanks for the walk along!

They look mighty nice Steve.  What technique do you use to sand on the lathe?  Do you just use hold the sandpaper with your hands?  Or do you attach the paper to a block of wood or sanding block?

Those are spectacular!

 

When I'm doing a bunch of rolling pins, I sand them with my random orbital sander with the lathe running. Also, I stop at 220 grit. A super smooth surface doesn't provide any grip for dusting flour.

I have a couple of those here and the neighbor has a whole bunch on both sides of his driveway.  A big portion of one of mine broke off last year in a storm.   They are known for having brittle wood.   The other one has blooms that smell like garbage and drop fruits and leaves all over my truck and trailer that sit near it.    As soon as the bees have finished working it this spring, it's coming down.  Originally thought to be sterile, they've crossed with something else and known now as an invasive species.

 

I think the only tree I hate worse is pin oak -- the wood seems to be full of knots and darn those leaves just go everywhere and clog up everything -- gutters, drains, ditches, etc.  There are a few of them in the neighborhood and I never have that many problems with the locust, maples, willow, or anything else.  And they drop leaves all winter long.  20% of them are still on the trees this week.

@kmealy - the brittle explains why I had little chips to come out of it.  Then you have to sand down to where it is smooth.  

 

@aaronc - if you harvest those trees, ensure you saw out the pith to ensure minimal warping and cracking.  Chunk up something and make inside out ornaments, rolling pins, little bowls to contain rings or other items.  I don't know how this finishes, just used mineral oil  

 

@lew - thank you.  With your random orbital sander, where to you put the contact of the paper?  Are you sanding mostly with the grain or against the rotation?  

 

@Cal - normally, I use a strip of sandpaper holding one end in each hand under the rotating stock.  If I need to get agressive as with this pear, I wrap a piece of paper around a block of wood.  I turn the Shopsmith to its lowest setting.  Once I get the spindle smooth with 60 grit and ensure it fits the criteria, then I move up to 120 or something a bit higher.  After that I stop the lathe and use 180 and 220 to sand in the direction of the grain.  The 60 will leave scratch marks during rotation and it takes all those other grits to get out the scratches, but at 220 it feels like a new born baby's bum-bum.  

 

All those pins are now gone.  I have one more to make, but am working on another project at the moment because of time.  Will post the results, not the progress.  

 

@Artie - that machine is 1984.  It has been used a few times.  The white marks are paint from the previous owner.  I am hoping to get those legs painted this summer.  I had Bill Mayo, in Tampa, FL to rework the power head a few years ago.  I need to replace the belts as I think they are about 10 years old.  

 

Thanks to all you who complimented me.  I really appreciate all the generous and kind words.  

Edited February 20, 20206 yr by FlGatorwood
additional thoughts.