Shopsmith Forums

rkh2 wrote:I have been watching this thread and haven't figured out yet what are you planning in doing with these log pieces that you need to flatten?

I have a local coffee shop that wants these for "extra" seating so that customers can pull one up to a table to sit on. Not my thing, but whatever floats their boat, especially since they are willing to pay me to do it.

I'll try to remember to post pics of the final product.

fiatben wrote:I have a local coffee shop that wants these for "extra" seating so that customers can pull one up to a table to sit on. Not my thing, but whatever floats their boat, especially since they are willing to pay me to do it.

I'll try to remember to post pics of the final product.

That's a great idea for bar stools. I've seen them in a coffee shop along with the large milk cans up here in Maine

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned this but it popped into my head the instant I read this.
If it were me I would mount my sanding disk on my shopsmith, set the log on the main table and lightly touching the log to the disk begin to turn the log so I would sand the whole thing.

I have done it a few times and it worked remarkably well. Just make sure you don't try to speed up the sanding by using to much pressure. It gets exciting when your shopsmith tries to spin the log.

You mentioned you would like to have a large lathe so perhaps you don't have a shopsmith. But if you do that is how I would flatten the end.

Ed in Tampa wrote:..........

You mentioned you would like to have a large lathe so perhaps you don't have a shopsmith. But if you do that is how I would flatten the end.

I guess large is a relative term. By large, I meant one that would let me do something with the logs I have laying around my barn that are 15 to 36 inches in diameter.

Ed in Tampa wrote:I'm surprised that no one has mentioned this but it popped into my head the instant I read this.
If it were me I would mount my sanding disk on my shopsmith, set the log on the main table and lightly touching the log to the disk begin to turn the log so I would sand the whole thing.

The problem I see is that the logs are not perfectly cylindrical so I need to find/build some kind of jig to hold the logs along the horizontal axis in order to finish both ends on parallel planes to one another (so it sits flat and level).

But I'm really open to any suggestions on this project.

I am confused. Do you want to sand the piece of tree along the length (with the grain), or do you want to sand it where it was cut, (across the end grain)? That makes a big difference as to the approach one would take to accomplish the job. Some of the answers you have gotten lean both directions.

fiatben wrote:The problem I see is that the logs are not perfectly cylindrical so I need to find/build some kind of jig to hold the logs along the horizontal axis in order to finish both ends on parallel planes to one another (so it sits flat and level).

But I'm really open to any suggestions on this project.

What about going vertical with the SS? Then your reference plane is the other end.

Splinters N Chips wrote:I am confused. Do you want to sand the piece of tree along the length (with the grain), or do you want to sand it where it was cut, (across the end grain)? That makes a big difference as to the approach one would take to accomplish the job. Some of the answers you have gotten lean both directions.

Look at the pic in post #15. I am trying to smooth and finish the two ends of the log. The trunk of it will be sand-blasted, hopefully without losing the wonderful worm tracks that are under the bark.

I guess that makes it all end grain, doesn't it? The problem I'm seeing when I use a handheld electric planer is tear-out as I cross the radial. I can get a fair finish by planing in from the side toward the center without crossing over.

Still, I'd like to find a good way to do this without taking a handheld belt sander to each end for a couple of hours.

mickyd wrote:What about going vertical with the SS? Then your reference plane is the other end.

Mickyd, I'm willing to try anything once. These logs are about 10-12" in diameter (although obviously not perfectly round) and I question clearance. But as I sit here thinking about it, if it would sit on the floor and the sanding disk would reach to the pith, then I could rotate it. Shoot, I might even be able to stand it on a lazy susan and maybe that would make this whole thing easy (well, easier).

fiatben wrote:Mickyd, I'm willing to try anything once. These logs are about 10-12" in diameter (although obviously not perfectly round) and I question clearance. But as I sit here thinking about it, if it would sit on the floor and the sanding disk would reach to the pith, then I could rotate it. Shoot, I might even be able to stand it on a lazy susan and maybe that would make this whole thing easy (well, easier).

I think your onto it!!
p.s. Trivia question......how did it's name become lazy susan? I don't know the answer.