Shopsmith Forums

Has anyone done any spindle turning of laminated wood? I am interested in turning some sycamore/walnut laminated spindles. I have never turned anything laminated and would appreciate any advice. Thanks - Alec

Alec;
Make sure that you have a good solid glue joint between the pieces. That is important so as not to have the turning fly apart. I have done laminated turnings for table legs due to the cost of hardwood in the larger dimensions. One problem that is possible to have is caused by different characteristics of the various species. Take light cuts and use VERY sharp tools.
Bill V

Thanks Bill - You've touched on precisely what my concerns are. I appreciate the feedback. Good to know you've done it successfully! Alec

Also be ready to sharpen your lathe chisels often. The glue layer can be hard on lathe chisels.

Thanks Terry - that sounds like a good point. Anyone see any issues with Titebond or Titebond II?

Titebond 1 is stronger than the wood. Don't know it it's harder though.

Guys in the Turners club turn objects all of the time out of multi-laminations (one guy had a bowl w/ over 400 pieces in it), so it's doable for sure. SHARP Tools - a must.

I did a trial for a lamp from laminated poplar. Went well. My wife likes it as well or better than the walnut final turning. Rick Davis, at the last Traveling Academy I attended, recommended Gorilla type glues as being easier on tools than the yellow glue family. I let the chunk cure for over a week before turning, mostly due to other duties. Adequate cure time is important. Haste makes shrapnel.

Thanks fellows - as always, this forum is a great help! Alec

If interested, the woodturning world actually calls this type of turning "segmented woodturning" and there are a whole lot of woodturners out there who specialize just in this type of turning.

Do an internet search for "segmented woodturning" and you will get more than enough information on the subject.

Clamp well when gluing. I've done a laminated and segmented pepper mill (I owe a picture) in maple & walnut (3 pieces of 3/4" maple board, then, cross cut & segmented w/ 1/4" walnut board).

A good glue joint squeezes out most of the glue from the pressure of the clamp. The glue line becomes essentially invisible in the turning. You know it's there because the grain changes direction. The glue line is very strong when you do it properly, e.g. spread the glue, then, clamp the heck out of it.