Replies

1. 
   Clay | Sep 15, 2004 01:39am | #1

   The best way is to drill your blank before you start and then turn the roller around the hole.  There are drills available that are designed for this type drilling.  You have to have a hollow tail stock or headstock to run the bit through.  I believe it's called a shell auger.  Another way is to purchase a bearing set for the handles which are then mounted separately into recesses in the ends of the roller.  Some turning supply houses have them.  Some turners will glue up their blanks with a routed groove for the axle already formed before the glue up.  It is also possible to make your glued up blank with a slightly undersized square hole and then ream it out with a drill bit (which will follow the preexisting hole pretty accurately).  Lots of methods available, have fun!

2. 
   SawdustSteve | Sep 15, 2004 05:09am | #2

   Gary... You DON'T drill all the way through the rolling pin body. I just drill in 2 to 3 inches and glue in pegs of the proper diameter.

   I like to finish the rolling pin by rubbing on two or three coats of warmed up mineral oil. (Rub it on, let it sit, wipe off excess) A bit of mineral oil dripped into the handle (after assembly) acts as a lubricant to keep the handles spinning easily too. The one I made for SWMBO over 15 years ago is still going strong. SawdustSteve

3. 
   Steinmetz | Sep 16, 2004 06:11pm | #3

   Gary. As sawdust suggested, just bore in both ends A long time ago,I made one with handles holding threadded rods and ball bearings from inline skates press fitted into the bore.

   Most of the time I buy old rolling pins just for the wood. Birdseye maple is great for handles and pegs etc.  Steinmetz.

4. 
   Napie | Sep 17, 2004 06:35pm | #4

   Or, make a real cooks rolling pin with NO handles, sometimes known as a French style roller.   I've turned hundreds, they take less than half an hour, from spliting the blank to the oil finish.  They are a great use for that real pretty fire wood.