[finlander]

Haven't posted here in awhile but I just aquired an ancient Shopsmith and am eager to turn a few baits. Is cedar too frail? Should I start with a thick piece, like 2 inches for safety? I have cedar pieces ripped down to like 1 " square now but am not sure if it is safe to use those. Other wood choices? Prolly going to make jerk/pull baits from turned stock. Thanks.

[rjbass]

Finlander,

I turn cedar baits all the time down to 1". I use both Western Red Cedar and Eastern White Cedar. I just make sure there is no splits or bad knots. I have never had a problem and have made many, many baits this way.

Rod

[finlander]

But I would be STARTING with 1" square stock. Would I need to keep the speed down? I took this Shopsmith cause it had the lathe capability. It has been years since I have used one. Just looked over your pictures. When do you find time for the rest of your life, and shovel snow?? There are alot of lures there....

[rjbass]

Finlander,

I still don't think you would have a problem as long as the wood was not split or any big knots. I keep mine the same speed all the time. The key to the whole deal with a lathe is keep your tools real sharp and you will feel like your cutting butter. However, I have a midi-lathe that I bought just for lure making and it is much smaller than a shopsmith.....

Rod

[woodieb8]

ceadars good to turn. make sure its knot free. turn at high speeds with sharp tooling. use a good dust collecter. we sand blanks in the lathe turning. . sandpaper is 150 grit, this does not raise grains. sealer and primer adheres well this way. enjoy and wear glasses, be safe

[DanCampbell]

Hi,
Would you guys please post where you get your Cedar, I would like to buy some eastern red cedar but I am not having much luck searching on the web.
Thanks
Dan
PS
I would like to have some blocks 7/8" X 7/8" and 1"X1" to turn on my mini lathe. I have a table saw and can rip some boards down if I can find them.

[apb]

I've turned 1x1 blanks of various cedars with no problems. Like the other guys said, sharp tools, no knots, spin them fast. The only time it might be a problem is if you were turning very long, thin blanks.

Andrew

[woodieb8]

i believe its eastern white cedar.
western red cedar.
try a local lumber yard.

[parrothead127]

I turn cedar all the time. Start with 1x1 blanks and turn down just below 3/4" round, never had a problem yet. I also make wooden ink pens, turn those down to 3/8" round, will sometimes get a blow out on that, but nothing dangerous, just pi$$es me off cause it waits until I'm almost done.

[finlander]

Do you play Jimmy when you turn??? It is 24 years old, the Shopsmith. I have made pens too. I can turn them on the lathe or vertically on the drill press. Havent done that for a few years either. Those are made from a harder wood. I will go gently and try a few this week. I'll have to try a 'specialty' store for more wood choices. I just have this red cedar sitting that I had ripped awhile back. Thanks for all the replies.