French Tapered Rolling Pin

In this video I show you how I make a hardwood French tapered rolling pin on a wood lathe. I am making this one out of cherry that starts out as a 2 by 2 by 19-inch rolling pin blank. Some of the things you will learn about woodturning are, how I rough the piece to make it round, what I do to create the taper on the ends, and how I sand and finish the piece.
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Geiserwoodturner is for information and entertainment purposes only. It is always your own responsibility to know how to safely operate your tools.

[@bassrun101]

Garry, not Linda. Finally, someone who knows how to properly set a morse taper accessory in a mchine spindle!! The drill chuck is most often seen just pushed into the tailstock then the operator stands there holding the chuck with their hand to keep it from turning. Check the taper to make sure it is clean and dry. Slide the spindle about halfway into the socket about halfway or so then with a quick snap of the wrist set the tool firmly into place in a clean dry socket. You're not trying to kill it, just firmly set it to prevent damage to the surfaces when the taper spins in the socket. And don't "make sure" by hitting it with a hammer!!!

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Thanks Garry, Perfect explanation of how it should be done. There are so many little things like that make things so much easier and safer while turning. It’s an art and an exact science at the time! 😃

[@BreckWhitworth]

Very well done video, you have a great voice for these. I am a professional woodturner mostly bowls that I sell, but I came into some kiln dried wood and thought it would be a good use for the wood.

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Thanks Breck! You should go for some of these. They have been my best seller this year.

[@BreckWhitworth]

I've already made a dozen or so thanks @@Geiserwoodturner

[@joemiller9632]

Nice video sir

[@monicalaurents4163]

Thank you! I loved the video. Excited to try your technique 👏

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Thanks for watching! I wish you well trying it out. Have fun!

[@cobberpete1]

I made a couple of the crazy rolling pins from the video eight months ago. Boy is that a lot of work. So now I'm just making the 'Standard' French pins. Sold six so far, but for peanuts. I do it for the love of turning 😊

[@Geiserwoodturner]

The crazy rolling pins do take a lot of time. Glad your having luck selling them! The love of turning is where it’s at! Keep it up! 👍🏻

[@STMwoodturning]

Thanks for sharing your method! I've been considering making some of these but needed a few pointers so your video comes in handy. Stuart

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Awesome! By all means make some! I hope the pointers help.

[@STMwoodturning]

@@Geiserwoodturner how much do you sell them for?

[@Geiserwoodturner]

I sell one made from cherry for $50 and walnut $55. I’ve seen them go for between $30 and $60.

[@STMwoodturning]

@@Geiserwoodturner thank you 😊

[@billrobinson8939]

That great. Looks real easy for the beginner. Got to hustle to get one done for Saturday's craft show. Setting up tomorrow, so not much time. I have some very hard Brazilian walnut I want to try. Thanks for the idea.

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Awesome let me know how the Brazilian walnut turns out! I wish you the best of luck on your show.

[@Oliver-ur5pi]

@@Geiserwoodturner do you have a video about how to sell what you make? im young and dont have a job so i need a way to afford a lathe. i borrowed one that im learning on but its a old cheap one that is slanted and is only able to hold the wood on both sides

[@Geiserwoodturner]

@@Oliver-ur5pi I don’t have one on that but I’ve been thinking about making one. Hopefully I can find the time to make one. If you have any questions you can contact me through my website www.geiserwoodturner.com

[@fisher-of-men1547]

Thank you for sharing this fun looking project ! One question, from a fellow woodworker who is just starting to use a lathe. I just bought a nice one & my question for you is : which type of turning tools do you recommend ? I'm seeing so many varied suggestions, one states carbide tips are best, others say HSS tools are what is best. Please keep the videos coming ! David WoodWorking Made Simpler Ada, MI

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Thanks David! As to your question about which turning tools are best. Carbide tools have their place and I would recommend them for a beginning turner who does not want to invest a lot of money in sharpening equipment. They are essentially a scraper and will not give you the quality of cut and speed of traditional turning tools. If you go with traditional Hss or better turning tools you will get tools that you need sharpening equipment for. There is also a learning curve to learn each tool and the cuts you can perform with them. However I would recommend putting in the effort to learning and using the traditional tools. You will get better quality cuts and will eventually be able to do more with them. It’s really about how much time money and effort you want to put into it. I have carbide tools but only really use them for special purposes like plastics and resin. I hope this helps. -Jason

[@ShopDad]

Hey, nice video. Your process is basically identical to mine with some minor differences on design choices. Where did you get the maker’s mark/brand? I’ve been looking for something exactly like that.

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video. I made my own brand years ago. It was a painstaking process where I reversed the image and printed it. Then I stuck it to a brass rod and then spent hours meticulously carving it with a dremel and diamond bits. I mounted it on a threaded rod and turned a handle. If I had to do it again I would order one done on a cnc machine. I haven’t ordered one, but I hear there are many people on Etsy that make custom brands.

[@GarryKWV]

Been doing craft shows a couple years and have thought about making some of these. Thanks so much for this video. Would anyone care to say how much they sell these for?

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Yeah sure! A lot about price depends on your area and what people perceive the value of something is. For the Cherry rolling pins like the one in video that I sell I charge $50. I do a little bit more for Walnut because the wood is double the price in my area. I think you would be ok to charge a little bit less if you are fast and your craftsmanship is still high. Maybe in the $40 range. For comparison I’ve seen mass produced rolling pins made out of bamboo in stores that go for $30. Hand made and quality woods make all the difference in longevity and performance of these products! I wish you luck!

[@fisher-of-men1547]

With just getting started in using my new lathe ( 14" x 20" ) I have another question. I am 6'1" tall & I am researching to find the best height for my lathe. ( I also purchased a stand for the new lathe so that it can be moveable in my small shop. ) Is it best to measure from the center of the lathe to the ground ? The stand instructions noted to measure from the ground to my elbow ( with my arm at a 90 degree angle ) & it's 44". Is there a better formula to calculate the best height ? Thank you ! David WoodWorking Made Simpler Ada, MI

[@Geiserwoodturner]

I think the formula you have is a good starting point. Elbow height off the floor is pretty standard. My best advice is to start at that and then adjust to comfort as needed. If you’re getting a lot of tension in your neck, shoulders, and back try raising the lathe up a little at a time. There will be some muscle tension anyway due to using new muscles, but strive for comfort as much as you can. I myself like it about an inch higher than my elbow height.

[@billrobinson8939]

Oops! Forgot my lathe is only 16", maybe ill try a smaller version.

[@Geiserwoodturner]

A smaller version works too. I would just give it a little less diameter and make the taper a bit smaller like 4 1/2 or 5 inches from the ends.

[@billrobinson8939]

5 " is what worked for me. Used Brazilian walnut i got from a local sawyer. I bought a bunch at $3 each for a 2x2x24". Beautiful wood that has been in storage for 15 years. Planed and sanded 4 sides. I even bought all his rejects. Love this walnut.

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Sounds like a great deal on some beautiful wood 🪵