First supported russian spindle

Great job!

Nice…is it Maple?,
I finish by hand to get a nice sharp tip. When I work the blank, I push the ‘head’ of the spindle fully into the chuck and then shape the shaft…while leaving a decent amount of thickness near the ‘tip’ end for strength. Then off the lathe to nip the tip and sand it sharp…then flip it 180 degrees and rechuck the spindle shaft, so I can work on the ‘head’

As you develop a flare for these, I would suggest taking care towards the tapering tip of the top of the shaft.

This has worked well for making the more delicate ‘Russian’ spindle designs.

Glad to see what your working on. Thanks for posting it.

Chris

Cool.

Did you make the spinning wheel to go with it?

It looks like it could be a wand for Harry Potter as well.

-- When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for

It is figured maple, was aiming to be longer but found out the hard way that it was still wet in the middle. So they are under the workbench and going to have to dry out before I make any more spindles out of them.

When I get better I may make myself a wheel for plying, but I am perfectly happy spindling.

-- http://www.thebarof.com

Great looking spindle! I have made several types of Drop Spindles for my wife and for sale at the local farmers’ market. My favorite spindle to make is a drop spindle with a whorl of a contrasting type of wood, purpleheart/walnut and redheart/walnut look nice together. My wife has a spinning wheel, but wants me to make a wheel for her. And for what it’s worth she says that you can do a ‘Navajo Ply’ on a drop spindle or a combination using three spindles for plying.

Dereck

I have a very large plying spindle, is a drop spindle style that my parents purchased for me. however I have seen a few videos of playing on a wheel, and mmm so simple and relaxing.

-- http://www.thebarof.com