I posted a couple weeks ago about a shop contacting me to make drop spindles which are used in spinning wool. There are two basic components, the "whorl" which is pretty easy and quick to do. The shaft, which is a little problematic. The shaft needs to be about 12" long and around 5/16" diameter. Kind of difficult and tedious to turn and with a small margin I need to turn them as quickly as possible. Looking for options I bought a dowel jig that uses a drill motor to create a dowel.

 

 

It works but I got more tearout than I liked, especially on woods like oak or ash.

 

I then did some searching and watched some videos about using a table saw to make dowels. You read that right, you can make a dowel or spindle using your table saw.

It works, and it works pretty darn good. Pretty nice finish which will require just a little sanding and it's pretty consistent as far as diameter

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 4, 20232 yr by Steve Krumanaker

Now that’s the cat’s meow!! Stared square and ended round looks like turning to me!

That is the cat's meow. I have seen a similar setup using a router.

Pretty darn slick. Like Gerald I'd seen something similar using a router but this method certainly speeds up the process.

Steven, I'm not try to be a smarty here, but isn't there a 5/16" dowel that can be purchased on the market then you could shape the rest of the portions as needed?

That's really clever.

Thanks Steve.  That is slick.  Solves the problem of finding matching dowels. 

Edited October 4, 20232 yr by HandyDan

4 hours ago, John Morris said:

Steven, I'm not try to be a smarty here, but isn't there a 5/16" dowel that can be purchased on the market then you could shape the rest of the portions as needed?

 

Hi John, that' a valid point, and it would probably be smarter to do it that way. After discussing the project with the shop owner we both wanted her to market them as locally hand made from local Indiana hard woods. That does seem to make a difference sometimes and her shop is basically supported by lovers of hand crafted items. That, and I'm a sucker for the "gee whiz" factor in making them this way. LOL

12 hours ago, Gerald said:

That is the cat's meow. I have seen a similar setup using a router.

 

Hi Gerald. I made this jig but I was not real comfortable using it so I then made a version for my router table. Believe it or not, the finish is better off the table saw. So, I reconfigured the table saw jig to made it less threatening and am pretty comfortable with it now.

The reason the saw gives a better finish I think is because the blade is engaged over a broader area. I had to feed the stock very slowly with the router or I got a spiral effect. Now, I was using a 1/2" flush trim and cutting on the side. If I were to use a flat bottom bit and cut on the top of the bit it would probably give better results. May try that before I'm done.

Dadgummit, Steve!

 

ANOTHER jig I just HAVE to make.

 

Can't buy mesquite dowels so I guess I'll have to make them myself now.

 

Thanx for the idea!

On 10/4/2023 at 10:38 AM, Steve Krumanaker said:

 

Hi Gerald. I made this jig but I was not real comfortable using it so I then made a version for my router table. Believe it or not, the finish is better off the table saw. So, I reconfigured the table saw jig to made it less threatening and am pretty comfortable with it now.

The reason the saw gives a better finish I think is because the blade is engaged over a broader area. I had to feed the stock very slowly with the router or I got a spiral effect. Now, I was using a 1/2" flush trim and cutting on the side. If I were to use a flat bottom bit and cut on the top of the bit it would probably give better results. May try that before I'm done.

I think you are right so give this a look. Seem like the one I remember was turned by a drill.

 

Edited October 5, 20232 yr by Gerald