Replies

1. 
   Westchester | Nov 28, 2011 04:17pm | #1

   Rolling Pin

   Hey Frank -

   I don't do a lot of craft projects like this on the lathe but I'm sure others from this site will help you out .  My only thought would be between centers. I'd use a hardwood like maple and probably knock down the corners on the table saw after finding the centers.

   SA

1. 
   oldww | Dec 01, 2011 03:38pm | #2

   rolling pin

   Thanks for your thoughts.   My problem was making a  space for the steel rod I intent to use as a shaft to hold the handles and allow the barrell to move freely (does that make sense?)   Came up with an idea to use a box core bit and rrout a grove on two    facing pieces of the blank before glue up. I would then have enough surface to mount between centers around the shaft hole.

   What do you think?

1. 
   Westchester | Dec 05, 2011 04:09pm | #6

   Drill

   The box core bit can work - but you can also try a nova chuck  - drill from each end right on the lathe - and what you can't reach finish by hand with a long spade bit

   SA

2. 
   rmantell | Dec 03, 2011 08:28pm | #3

   Traditional rolling pins used in French cooking are turned as one piece with coves creating "handles" of various shapes and sizes. I use 3" billets of ash, maple and cherry- 20-24 inches long and turn between centers. The finishedOD of the rolling pins is anywhere from 2 3/4 - 2 "

3. 
   tomschofield | Dec 05, 2011 03:59pm | #4

   rolling pin

   I just made one much like the previous post descrived -- one piece, and the user lets it roll in her hands.  I just turned straight handles.  I used a beautiful piece of curly maple 3" x 24", and finished with Mahoney Walnut oil, The best tip I can give is once you have roughed it to round, use a long sanding block with coarse/medium sand paper glued on to flatten it out.  It is much easier to get it perfectly flat and smooth than with lathe tools, unless you are very good with a skew ;-) 

   Tom

4. 
   tomschofield | Dec 05, 2011 03:59pm | #5

   rolling pin

   I just made one much like the previous post descrived -- one piece, and the user lets it roll in her hands.  I just turned straight handles.  I used a beautiful piece of curly maple 3" x 24", and finished with Mahoney Walnut oil, The best tip I can give is once you have roughed it to round, use a long sanding block with coarse/medium sand paper glued on to flatten it out.  It is much easier to get it perfectly flat and smooth than with lathe tools, unless you are very good with a skew ;-) 

   Tom

1. 
   oldww | Dec 06, 2011 11:33am | #7

   rolling pin

   thanks Tom,

   yours is the best advice. using the "new" style without separate  handles seems easier to do and use.

   heading over to Condons Lumber for the maple in about 10 minutes.

   Best wishes for a happy holiday season to you and yours.

   Frank

1. 
   Westchester | Dec 07, 2011 07:34am | #8

   Maple

   Check the scrap bin as you walk into the yard - you may get your stock for no charge -

   SA

5. 
   BruceS | Feb 02, 2012 09:26am | #9

   Food for thought

   I would avoid a steel bar.     Go simple !   Make a French style pin !  They are very trendy and work well.

6. 
   TomHigby | Feb 10, 2013 03:33pm | #10

   I've found that old wooden ball bats can be had for  a dollar, or less at yard sales.  They are always made of top quality timber, usually ash, and will often have enough stock for a rolling pin.  I just completed a Windsor chair, in which I used nine bats.  Obviously they were not from the same tree, so painting was a must.

   Tom Higby

7. 
   robertwillsom | Aug 16, 2021 08:26pm | #11

   I've been using an old wine bottle and it's just not very comfortable. Which variety of rolling pin is beter, traditional rolling pin or the tapered French rolling pin variety? view[ https://thefoodiegeek.net/best-rolling-pins-for-pizza-dough ]

1. 
   rob_ss | Aug 17, 2021 04:19am | #12

   Both work.
   I prefer traditional myself.
   Both are easy to turn - There is no need for a steel bar.
   For those less used to turning, getting it straight is easily done by sanding with 60 grit glued to a nice flat piece of MDF.

8. 
   [email protected] | Sep 15, 2021 05:56pm | #13

   My father had a French/Italian pastry shop and all the rolling pins had solid knobs on the ends