Shopsmith Forums

JPG40504 wrote:If this were April 1st, I could better understand this!



Glass harps work, now a wood harp(percussion variety)! What next?


I do not think a chain saw is a good idea!:eek::D Now for tree sized turning . . .

Next is electro-mechanical programmable bag pipes with foot pedal controls to change drone chords and move pistons inside the pipes to alter tuning and achieve pitch bends. Bag pipe players will then be able to play lead guitar and synthesizer type licks in any key.

I don't think I'm kidding about that chain saw lathe turning but I'll find out as soon as that gilmer belt arrives and I get my machine running again.

deec wrote:Next is electro-mechanical programmable bag pipes with foot pedal controls to change drone chords and move pistons inside the pipes to alter tuning and achieve pitch bends. Bag pipe players will then be able to play lead guitar and synthesizer type licks in any key.

I don't think I'm kidding about that chain saw lathe turning but I'll find out as soon as that gilmer belt arrives and I get my machine running again.

One thing is for sure, They could use some 'improvement'. Actually I think technique(practice) 'helps'. Just not very many folks have gained 'proficiency'.

P.S. Won't the spats straps get in the way of operating foot pedals?

deec wrote:I'm getting proficient making those drum sticks with the angle grinder and lathe. Now I'm thinking about another music oriented project for my Black Locust that I can make on a lathe. ...

I also turned a nice long wood handle on the Shopsmith from a Black Locust branch. That stuff is pretty good for turning, but it had some ant bore holes I had to fill with glue and sawdust. It's pretty. I still have not mounted the long carbide lathe tool - I have to bore it 5/8" diameter x 12" long and anchor with a setscrew in the copper pipe collar.

mgdesigns wrote:I also turned a nice long wood handle on the Shopsmith from a Black Locust branch. That stuff is pretty good for turning, but it had some ant bore holes I had to fill with glue and sawdust. It's pretty. I still have not mounted the long carbide lathe tool - I have to bore it 5/8" diameter x 12" long and anchor with a setscrew in the copper pipe collar.

I'd like to see a pix of that black locust handle. I would like to compare it to what I have been referring to as black locust. I also turned a handle from a branch cutoff that I also thought was locust, but it is different from the stump. Not having been able to observe the presence or absence of spines, one of them might be honey locust.(or something entirely different?)

Here's some black locust - gnarly boards from the saw mill put to an artistic use. 8' tall fence - posts, rails and boards all black locust.

deec wrote:Here's some black locust - gnarly boards from the saw mill put to an artistic use. 8' tall fence - posts, rails and boards all black locust.

Thanks! How about a 'closer' look(grain etc.)?;)

Black Locust characteristics include a yellow or green tint when freshly cut - especially when cut green.



As it ages it will turn to a vanilla brown with exposure to light and air. Limbs can grow really fast and be mostly sapwood, while mature trunks have very little sapwood. That sapwood retains it's light, yellowish color when the heartwood ages to light brown.



It takes a stain very nicely as you can see from this boot jack stained with Minwax Dark Walnut #2716



You can make a fence post out of it, stick it in the mud for about 80 years, and if it did not rot, it was probably black locust. That is why we have it here in Oregon. Pioneers brought it out here for making fences. Consequently, there is not much commercial use in the NW as it is not native.

Looks like my stump! Especially the end grain. The branch may be BL also, but is a lighter tan color(real pretty after turning). If I can find some cutoff scraps I will post them. It seems pretty hard so to speak.

My stumps are from the eastern end of TN!

JPG40504 wrote:Looks like my stump! Especially the end grain. It seems pretty hard so to speak.

My stumps are from the eastern end of TN!

The end grain is a bit unique in appearance. Janka hardness is 1700 - modulus of rupture is higher than hickory and modulus of elasticity is about the same as hickory even though black locust is roughly 20% lighter. That's why I thought I'd try some drum sticks out of it - could be more responsive and durable than hickory.

deec wrote:The end grain is a bit unique in appearance. Janka hardness is 1700 - modulus of rupture is higher than hickory and modulus of elasticity is about the same as hickory even though black locust is roughly 20% lighter. That's why I thought I'd try some drum sticks out of it - could be more responsive and durable than hickory.

I am considering making a mallet from a piece of it.