I need some help. 

What I am trying to do is round a spliced piece of square stock (hardwood) to the same diameter of the round stock (softwood) it was mounted to.  Its called a “footed shaft” in the archery world. 

The method of the splice is similar to a pool cues full splice, where there is 4 90 degree V grooves cut 90 degrees to eachother.  Then taking a 1/2″ square piece of hard wood, make two passes 90 degrees to eachother the lenght of the points (in my case 5″es, the rest is solid hard wood.  Mount them on with wood glue and round.

The problem I am having is in the rounding department.  Hardwood vs Soft wood, and time.  I know of fellas using machinist lathes with a trim router mounted in the tool post, very similar concept to the cue makers, however I dont have a machinist lathe, nor have access to one.  I’ve been saving up to buy one (even the mini’s are quite exspensive for the distance I need between centers to accept the trim router). 

Here is a link to what I am doing, you can see the sleds, both old (with crack), and the new adjustable one.  In the first picture you can see the round and square stock splice, and some finished footed shafts.

http://community.webshots.com/user/lilhunter007
 
 

I do have a 12″ bandsaw, crafts router table, a couple of routers, small table top table saw and a belt/disc sander 4×36.

I’ve been thinking there has to be a way to rig up something either on the router table, or my belt and disc sander.  That or off of say a 12″ disc sander, something much cheaper but just as effective in regards to rounding these footings.

I keep looking through your mags looking to hopefuly see something similar, so far either I’ve missed it or havent seen it.  I am at a loss and really could use the help.  There has to be something cheaper then a machinist lathe, and quicker then doing them by hand!

Thanks
Dan
Fairbanks Alaska

[email protected]

ps, I carbon copied this to the editors at FWW to see what they might come up with.