finlander Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjbass Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finlander Posted July 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 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.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjbass Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodieb8 Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanCampbell Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 (edited) 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. Edited July 7, 2008 by DanCampbell More info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apb Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodieb8 Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 i believe its eastern white cedar. western red cedar. try a local lumber yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrothead127 Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finlander Posted July 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
castmaster Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 I use Cedar exclusively for my topwater musky baits. You shouldnt have any problems if you follow the suggestions others have offered. To get reasonably priced cedar you can buy 2"x2"x8' (actually 1 5/8"x 1 5/8")at most lumber yards for around $4-$5 a piece. You may have to pick through them to get the ones without knots or splits, but they work well. Another option is to get 4"x4"(3 5/8"x 3 5/8") x 8'. For those I either rip down on the table saw to get whatever sizes I am looking for, or just turn down if I'm not looking to go much smaller diameter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanCampbell Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Cast, Thanks very much, I will take a look at the lumber yard. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Do you play Jimmy when you turn??? Yes, and Floyd when I paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
