TheFatBaron Posted July 23, 2016 Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 Other than making them myself (as I don't have a mill or lathe), does anyone know of a source for larger-diameter dowels? Woodcraft has 2" diameter in maple, which is ok (I can always stain or paint it) but it would be nice to be able to use other species. By the way, the project is some rockets that my son can build and recombine using rare earth magnets to put the parts together. Something to do while I wait on some ligaments in my right hand to heal up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted July 23, 2016 Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 I'd check eBay for baseball bat blanks. Short of getting lucky, I don't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted July 23, 2016 Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 No better time to buy a tool than when you need a tool. Lathe up, baby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatBaron Posted July 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 15 minutes ago, Eric. said: No better time to buy a tool than when you need a tool. Lathe up, baby. Honestly, if I had even 80% use of my right hand right now... I'd probably do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pwalter5110 Posted July 23, 2016 Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 I've seen people use routers as a lathe. i think Marc did it for a ya le build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted July 23, 2016 Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 Drill.press.lathe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatBaron Posted July 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 14 minutes ago, Pwalter5110 said: I've seen people use routers as a lathe. i think Marc did it for a ya le build. True, and I've got a walking stick jig for my bandsaw.... I could do that.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keggers Posted July 23, 2016 Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 Rockler has 3" diameter dowels in a few different species of wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 TS sled jig: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjk Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Do we have any members who live near you who could make some? (I'm out by Seattle, so of little help in this case) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Z. Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Eight side a blank with a hand plane. Then, sixteen side it. Then, start sanding... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Use PVC pipe and cut discs to fill the ends. Then use solid wood for nose cone etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonPacific Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 It looks like TableLegs.com offers smooth dowels up to 6" in a variety of species. They're pricey, but sound like just what you are looking for. http://www.tablelegs.com/Wood-Dowels/Smooth-Wood-Dowels-54.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawdust703 Posted July 28, 2016 Report Share Posted July 28, 2016 Maybe locate a turners club, or a friend with a lathe? The turners club would be more than happy to help you out, I'm sure. You're in a big enough area, it shouldn't be much trouble locating a turners club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 28, 2016 Report Share Posted July 28, 2016 Some home centers carry closet rod or round hand rail stock in various species. I assume these "rockets" are not meant to fly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Z. Posted July 28, 2016 Report Share Posted July 28, 2016 Rockets? How old is your son? Sounds like a good excuse for a bird's mouth bit in your router. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Wright Posted July 29, 2016 Report Share Posted July 29, 2016 On 7/23/2016 at 9:20 PM, wtnhighlander said: TS sled jig: I would do it this way - pretty easy to do on a TS, and same principle can be applied to a router sled jig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted July 29, 2016 Report Share Posted July 29, 2016 On 7/23/2016 at 7:20 PM, wtnhighlander said: TS sled jig: I'll admit, I have caught myself having a tenancy to poopoo some stuff before thinking it through. With that said, ain't no way in hell I'm using a drill to push laterally on the side of carbide teeth of a blade spinning near mach Jesus.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 29, 2016 Report Share Posted July 29, 2016 It shouldn't push laterally. I believe the spindle's center is offset from the saw blade, so it rotates downward into the cutter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatBaron Posted July 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2016 10 hours ago, Brendon_t said: I'll admit, I have caught myself having a tenancy to poopoo some stuff before thinking it through. With that said, ain't no way in hell I'm using a drill to push laterally on the side of carbide teeth of a blade spinning near mach Jesus.. I'm with you on this one. Taking the hand tool approach on this one. If it becomes a bigger thing, I'll probably just take a lathe class at a local shop, and do this the 'right' way. Don - 4 1/2 years old. Currently obsessed with all things flying and space related. Zeppelins/blimps, aircraft of all types, the Apollo missions, the Shuttle, Space X, Mars Rovers... he's going to be a giant dork, and I couldn't be happier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Z. Posted July 30, 2016 Report Share Posted July 30, 2016 That's a good thing, but I'm confused. Are you planning on making the dowels while your hand heals? I was thinking you were going to supervise his work, but at 4 1/2, perhaps not. If it's the hand tool approach you're after, I still believe that 8 siding then 16 siding then sanding is the way to go. All you really need is a block plane, though a spar marking gauge would be a help. Perhaps he can help with the sanding. This is kind of what I mean, though I don't think your rocket will be 13 feet long. You get the idea though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denette Posted July 30, 2016 Report Share Posted July 30, 2016 Plant an acorn. Let it grow to the right dimension. Cut off the bark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 I'm looking for the same thing. I want a walnut stair rail about 5' long. It isn't the cost of the lathe so much as I doubt I could jump on it and bang one out in a week or two. Cost online is about $20/foot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatBaron Posted July 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 9 hours ago, Don Z. said: That's a good thing, but I'm confused. Are you planning on making the dowels while your hand heals? I was thinking you were going to supervise his work, but at 4 1/2, perhaps not. If it's the hand tool approach you're after, I still believe that 8 siding then 16 siding then sanding is the way to go. All you really need is a block plane, though a spar marking gauge would be a help. Perhaps he can help with the sanding. This is kind of what I mean, though I don't think your rocket will be 13 feet long. You get the idea though... Yep, that's what I figured you meant. No, I won't be letting him do much beyond glue & paint. I was hoping to find a good enough deal, but making an octagon with a jack/jointer plane and rounding from there is pretty simple - once everything heals up. Not really worth the money, and I'm not in a particular rush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 I happened to be at Lowe's today, and noticed they stock "hardwood" dowels up to 2" thick. I didn't look closely, probably poplar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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