I’ve gotten a couple of conflicting answers elsewhere on this question, so I figured I better go to the pros.
As an example, suppose that I want to turn a vase with contrasting wood for the base and top rim. I want the grain to run parallel to the lathe bed, so the glue joints would all be end grain to end grain. What’s the best way to glue up the blanks so the piece doesn’t fly apart while being turned? The actual joint could end up being very small depending on the thickness of the wall where the 2 pieces meet.
This situation would also come up if I want to turn a long skinny finial or handle with a contrasting lobe or other element in the middle of it.
Also, once I do get the pieces glued together, should I turn the joint area last to avoid undue stress and joint failure?
Thanks for your help.
Alan
Replies
You are trying to do the impossible--you cannot glue end grain. Well, you can but the only thing you can say with certainty about the joint is that it will come apart. The whole purpose of the art of joinery is to bring face (or plank) grain areas in contact with each other. Turning end grain glued joints is not even safe. I cover this subject in some detail in my book Turn a Bowl with Ernie Conover by Taunton Press.
With best regards,
Ernie Conover.
Thanks for the response. However, I've seen a number of pieces where the body of the piece has the grain running parallel to the lathe bed, but has contrasting wood for things like the bases, rims, etc. How do they achieve that if what you say about the end grain joints failing is true.
Not trying to be too argumentative, just trying to figure it out.
Thanks.
You may have seen them but they will not stay together if it is end grain to end grain. They will stay together for a period of time but not long. It is possible to put something like a base on a spindle turned bowl or vase by making a tenon on one and a matching socket in the other. Now we have face grains in contact and the glue will hold. Also in something like a knob it is possible to drill a hole and set in a cylinder of wood that becomes a contrasting dot or protrusion. Again we now have plank grain glue areas. Hope this helps.With best regards,
Ernie Conover
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