How to Turn Duplicate Spindles 

Mike -- You asked for some suggestions for using a story stick. After some reflection, here are a couple of ideas: First, in the video you demonstrated marking key transitions using the story stick. For the most part, the places you marked represented the minimum diameter of an element, such as the end of a bead or the bottom of a cove. In addition to these marks, I also mark the maximum diameter of elements, such as the top of a bead or the high point of a long taper. Then, I use my parting tool to cut down to just above the maximum diameter and mark that spot with a pencil line. Then, I make sure that line is removed ONLY when I'm final sanding the turned spindle. It helps keep beads and such a uniform size and shape, and it gives greater perspective when turning the other elements of the spindle. Second, most spindles that I turn (mainly lamp bases) have a maximum diameter at one element and everything else on the spindle is a smaller diameter. It might be at one end, or it might be in the middle. Once I've used the story stick to mark the maximum diameters and have used the parting tool and pencil to mark them as described above, I then connect those maximums with long tapers. Then, I go back and mark the minimum diameters using the story stick and pencil. This approach allows me to remove a lot of waste wood quickly. It also helps me keep each element in perspective as its turned. I consider this to be part of "roughing out" a spindle. After this roughing out is done, I then turn each element to completion before going to the next -- just as you instructed in the video. Please forgive the length of these comments. I found everything you said valid. I'm merely trying to add to, not detract from, what you said.

Thanks for taking the time to make this video 👍

Mike - This months presidents challenge in our woodturners club is to make a pair of candlesticks. Thanks for sharing your techniques on spindle 'duplicating. I will apply them when working on this project. I really appreciate your tutorials. Thanks again for sharing your methods with us. Bill

Reverse sanding .... turn the spindle over. Oh DUH that was my face palm moment. You know I had never even thought of that. Old dog, new tricks :) Many thanks :)

I just got my first lathe, and I have been watching your videos for a while now. I can't thank you enough for all the fantastic information that you have shared. The generosity of your time and knowledge is very much appreciated.

Thanks for sharing your experience Mike. I have a broken spindle to replace on a chair, so your tips have been helpful for me to work out how to duplicate that part. Cheers from Toronto! Scott

Mike ... This was a superb tutorial. I would have never thought of using your procedure to turn duplicate spindles. I really appreciate your videos!

Yea you,r good alright Mike

Love the content Mike. I've been turning for about a year and got started making baseball bats. I love all kinds of turning and find videos like yours wonderfully educational. Thanks for what you do - Andrew

Enjoyed the series.

Lots of good information and a good method. Also maintains a record should a replacement be needed in the future. Spindles look good too.

just got an old delta lathe, loved your practical advice.

I saw a sculptor who does historical reproductions; same process: he makes a detail on each piece (25 total) and then goes to the next detail. In the end, it looked all the same. Thanks for sharing Mike. Marc

This was helpful. One of the things I would like to see is advice on turning duplicates of items like salt and pepper shakers such that the salt and pepper shakers are matching sets.

Mike -- Thanks for this series. I learned something.

Thanks

I don't think you did it deliberately for a teaching point. :D We all make mistakes. Just try to only make mistakes with cheap wood.