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spindle splitting

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 10:36 pm
by tracker65
I am having a problem of splitting the end of my hard maple spindles when driving the drive center into the end with a mallet.Would it be safe to pre drill a pilot hole in the end or would that even help? Could use some advice. Thanks Carl.

Re: spindle splitting

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 10:40 pm
by Skizzity
I bandsaw an X in the end. Well, make sure they are perpendicular.

Re: spindle splitting

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 10:57 pm
by ERLover
I am not a turner for 50 years but I think both would work to just give the wood some relief, what I know about wood.

Re: spindle splitting

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 11:03 pm
by JPG
Pilot hole? But of course.

"X" make sure they pass through the pilot hole as well as being perpendicular. The "X" need not be very deep.

Re: spindle splitting

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 11:45 pm
by charlese
recommended procedure is a 1/8" hole 1/4" deep both ends - with an X at right angles sawn about 1/8" deep on the drive side

Re: spindle splitting

Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2016 12:36 am
by everettdavis
Use a back saw, a hacksaw, even a coping saw if you don't have a bandsaw, using the drive center marking to locate the cuts described above.

You have to engage the teeth of the drive center in the stock to spin in reliably. Live center in tailstock is also my preference.

Everett

Re: spindle splitting

Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2016 8:38 am
by wa2crk
Use a center with a cup. A cup center I believe they are called in the tailstock.The cup prevents the wood from expanding outward and splitting. Any hardwoods require a pilot hole.
Bill V

Re: spindle splitting

Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2016 10:31 am
by Ed in Tampa
I use the Shopsmith center but I drove out the center point and ground down the end to make a point with a much sharper angle. I made sure I did not grind down the base so it still fits tight in the center. It still centers the drive but it does not split the wood.

Re: spindle splitting

Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2016 1:54 pm
by moggymatt
wa2crk wrote:Use a center with a cup. A cup center I believe they are called in the tailstock.The cup prevents the wood from expanding outward and splitting. Any hardwoods require a pilot hole.
Bill V
Bill, is there a cupped, drive center available for the Shopsmith?

Re: spindle splitting

Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2016 2:55 pm
by rpd
If you have a chuck you can also get a Steb Like Center that will work.
They are nice because the point is spring loaded, that way if you get a catch the piece will stop turning but not fly off. :) :)