DIY Network

Spindle Review and Textured Spindles From "Woodturning Techniques" episode DWTT-110

Master turner Dave Hout takes one last look at the spindles.

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Figure A

Spindle Review

1. The third and fourth spindles are turned, using dividers and calipers to mark and measure the beads and coves that make up the spindle pattern for the legs (figure A).

2. The legs are then tapered and the diameter is checked with the calipers.

3. Lastly, the bottom of the legs are curved and the spindles are smoothed with a skew.

Figure B

Textured Spindles (figure B)

Steps:

1. Texturing tools take less time to master than most turning tools and enhance the look of an ordinary spindle (figure C) (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

• Note: Many spindles are further detailed by hand carving after they are turned and taken off the lathe. The tools used for this would be carving tools, not turning tools.

• It is possible to add flutes to turned spindles by using a router in conjunction with the wood lathe. To do this, a plywood box is built to hold the router above the spindle. This box is made so that it sits on the bed of the lathe with keys that fit into the gap in the bed so that the box can slide along. The top of the box allows the base of the router to slide in with a hole cut to allow the bit to extend through to contact the spindle. The index on the lathe is used to hold the spindle as the flute is cut and then indexed to the next location to cut the next flute.

	Figure E
	Figure F

2. One pass with a texturing tool can create a spiral, while coming back in the opposite direction can give a cross-hatch design (figure E).

3. The tools can be rotated to create even more varied looks, and markers can be used to enhance the design even further (figure F).

Figure G

The technique of applying textures is yet another valuable skill to add to spindle work, and a great next step after learning to duplicate spindles (figure G).