While waiting for the Soectraply mill blanks to arrive.  I'll be clearing my bench off rolling pin stock and building inventory for next year's show season. This should put 72 pins in the bins.

To speed things up I scratched size lines in my tool rest. Mark center on the stock.  Align that and my center "flat" is ready to go

And a few minutes later one is done 

 

I can see marking center of blank but why scratch lines on the tool rest? I always use a storyboard .

4 hours ago, Gerald said:

I can see marking center of blank but why scratch lines on the tool rest? I always use a storyboard .

my pins have a 7.5" flat center the scratches on the tool rest give me a solid quick and easy measurement to cut in with my parting tool.  I cut these in then turn the center to round. this then gives me the diameter to start my end tapers at.

 

Sorry, @John Hechel, don't know how I missed this one. 

 

That IS a bunch of rolling pin blanks! I usually make 6 to 12 at a time. Do you ever get requests for pins that are tapered over the entire length? My wife likes the taper that starts at the middle and goes to each end.

 

If I may ask, what do you charge for your pins?

I taper mine from the middle unless it is to be a straight one. How many did you make?  

 

And, it takes me much longer per unit.  

Edited January 9, 20215 yr by FlGatorwood

12 hours ago, lew said:

Sorry, @John Hechel, don't know how I missed this one. 

 

 Do you ever get requests for pins that are tapered over the entire length? My wife likes the taper that starts at the middle and goes to each end.

 

Lew, I find that most home chefs don't have the skillset to use a full tapered pin. they prefer the 7" flat center as it's the same size as the base of a standard 9" pie pan.

 

2 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

How many did you make?  

 

I have 72 in containers, 12 more walnut blanks on the bench. and will probably be gluing up stock for another couple dozen multi-wood pins just to build inventory for this years show season. hopefully we'll be able to have at least a few.

 

Looks like you have your process dialed in! I learned something here. I never knew some rolling pins had a full taper and no flat area. It does seem like those would be harder to use.

I didn't realize you had a store spot to sell them.  I thought I had done something by doing about 20 for our church school.  Here:

https://thepatriotwoodworker.com/forums/topic/34004-rolling-pins-of-bradford-pear/

 

It took me a while and about 3 hours to turn one to my specs.  I was learning.  And, while I could give them away as fast as I could make them, I most likely won't be making anymore.  The experience was awesome.  

 

3 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

I didn't realize you had a store spot to sell them. 

 

 

We sell ours at art and fine craft fairs around the state. We're building our customer base and product line to provide additional income once we retire.
I've turned so many in the last decade that I could almost do it blind-folded. If I push myself I could turn one in about 6 minutes.