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| My template. |
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I guess I need to explain why I haven't completed the banister railing I'd started to build... and have set aside until next winter. It's not so much that I procrastinate, as I'm just not very good at time appreciation. You see, I started out with every intention of completing the work and installing the banister before summer rolled around and with it, canoeing and camping season, time for yardwork, etc. Those of you who live in a full, four season climate will know exactly what I mean. The rest of you will simply have to take my word for it. You gotta make hay while the sun's shining.
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| Roughing out, using my shop built steady rest |
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| All 37 spindles rough turned and awaiting sanding |
Here's a few photos of where things are sitting with it, so you'll know where I'll need to pick up from in November when I again move back into the studio to tackle it. As you can see, I've rough turned 37 spindles (I made 3 extras, just in case... you know) and they're now awaiting final sanding. This has been a great project for forcing me to learn how to use my lathe, as I'm a novice turner. Okay, not really a novice; more like a rank amateur. A babe in the woods kinda turner. I therefore decided to turn each of the spindles by hand, using nothing other than the template I made to guide me as I worked. Although the first spindle took nearly 3 hours to complete (!), I got the time down to about 1 1/2 hours per spindle towards the end of the project. Still not blazing along, but I really enjoyed myself. I'd rate my turning skill level as "developing" now. But, hey, I had a lot of fun and to my way of thinking, it doesn't get much better than that.
