Ok, I know I am missing something here so I am going to ask the collective.

What is the trick to turning two things that match?

 

Earlier this week I turned a couple pegs for the patio chair I am working on and those went pretty well.

They are within a couple hundredth of each other and there are no real curves to them as they need to contact the back in a level manner.

 

Fast forward to doing a couple of shaker style pegs for the bottom of the back assembly.

 

I cannot get these to match.  After a couple days this is as good as it gets.

I can see the difference but I don’t understand how with the same marking layout they can be so far from each other.

 

The domes just aren’t the same curvature even though they are the same diameter and height, one is much flatter than the other.

 

Is there a trick to getting these similar or do I just need to chuck them up and spend a couple hours trying to sand them to the same profile?

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?  ....practice, practice, practice. 

 

It's a process.   Cut the full size outline of a shape into some 1/4" ply.  Use that as a story stick at the lathe.  Probably better ways to get it done but that's always worked for me. 

 

.40

I think you are being too harsh on yourself. The minor differences are probably only noticeable to you. 

@forty_caliber thank you!!! this makes a lot of sense!!

 

@lew  I am probably not alone here in being far and away my own harshest critic but that is part of striving for excellence

Matching parts is something that always gives new turners fits. In reality this is a functional part and not in easy view so if you know of a difference we do not see it and if it works you are there. Sometimes for duplicate parts when you make them and lay them on a grid side by side you will see a anomaly but when they are installed the only one who ever knows will be you and maybe even you will not be able to see any differences. Good job in other words!

Static, none of my turnings for my shaker chairs are the same, all the spindles are off, some quite considerably, the back legs, the front legs, nothing matches at all I can assure you, the only thing that is pretty good at being identical are the tenons, I spend much more time on dialing those in as they need to have a pretty good connection to the bore holes.

But as you can see, when everything is put together, unless you went around the chair and really looked at it, you would never know nothing matched in dimension as far as the turned areas are concerned. In some spindles and legs the diameter can be a 1/6th or even an 1/8th or more off, from the next spindle. See the lower back rest chair rung, it's fatter than the two above it, you can see it here in this image.

 

 

Now see the chair assembled and finished below, you don't even see it anymore

I have learned in the past few years, to not be concerned about these things, it's hand made, and if it looks good that is all that counts. After all, personally I don't appreciate a machined look in woodworking as much as I do seeing differences and anomalies, such as your domes, I'd much rather see one dome different than the other, if I was able to even see it.

 

5 hours ago, StaticLV2 said:

part of striving for excellence

 

Just be careful of the cost Static, time and fun I know I don't need to tell you that, but I did. Standing there a couple hours to sand it out to be perfect, not worth it IMHO.

Like has been said.  We are to critical of our own work.  Close enough will WOW most of the people who see it.  I think you nailed it.

Thanks all, both for the tips and guidance,

Sometimes I get lost in minutiae and need a swift kick back to reality

Nothing to add because you've already gotten excellent advice. I will say that now and then someone will tell me I'm talented. I always tell them they are confusing talent with perseverance.

5 hours ago, StaticLV2 said:

Sometimes I get lost in minutiae and need a swift kick back to reality

We all do! My wife takes care of that on a daily basis with me.

1 hour ago, John Morris said:

We all do! My wife takes care of that on a daily basis with me.

That happens at your house too?  I'm shocked....shocked. 

The rooster rules the roost but the hen rules the rooster.

 

.40

Edited December 8, 20223 yr by forty_caliber

I agree with everyone. Those are pretty close ! One thing to remember is that those pegs are custom made by a craftsman and not a duplicator. The minor differences is what makes it art. Nice work ! I have one of the Shopsmith lathe duplicators if you ever want to make things perfect. You’re welcome to borrow it any time. 

Paul