flat lam blanks

Dave38

Dave38

theemperorhasnoclotheson
Silver Member
Is it normal for flat lam square blanks to be turned round, then 2 weeks later have about a 1/4" wobble in the middle of them? These are blanks from falcon cue when they were in canada(that's what I was told when buying them) and they have been in my basement for about 1.5 years or so. We have 70-80% humidity in the summer, and about 20% in the winter. The blanks were 1:x1" x 32". I turned them from squares to round 2 weeks ago (some flat spots),4 of the 6 I did had about 1/4" wobble in the middle today when I spun them. I thought the reason for lamination was to minimize this type of issue when cutting shafts or coring dowels?
Just want to know what to expect before spending more time on these than it may be worth.
Thanks,
Dave
 
I'm not sure Dave, but I had 4 flat lam. shaft dowels, and all 4 of them warped on me.
 
I have found that laminated blanks can move around quite a bit. Straight grain that has been cut right is more stable.
 
Flat laminated dowels

I have no luck with flat laminated shaft stock. Even after hanging for a few years most don't stay straight. :(

Mario
 
I'm glad to see this thread. I was just about to order some to use for coring dowels. I guess I won't now.
 
Thanks for the replies, at least I know im not alone on this. I have used 15" dowels with good luck, but this is the first time with 30 " ones. Guess I'll stick to purpleheart or maple. I'll cut these into 15" ones and go from there.
Dave
 
Same experience here also. You are lucky if 4 out of 10 make it to 12.75 mm and stay straight. I have 10 that I have been taking .25 mm pass on every 4 months or so and every time I put them between centers they have noticable wobble. I have noticed that most Meucci Black Dot shafts do not spin straight either.
 
A friend of mine does a lot of cabinetry. I used some of his oak scraps for coring dowels. They were straight from the first cut. Even being stored in my leaky basement, they stayed true to the end. One is now inside a nice curly maple pj. I was amazed at how much easier it is to construct a cue around a core as opposed to using an A joint. It was dead straight before I cut it down to final size. I think I found a new process.
 
stratshutr said:
I'm glad to see this thread. I was just about to order some to use for coring dowels. I guess I won't now.
Click to expand...

If you are referring to BD's laminated cores in the other forum, his are/were pie laminated, not flat laminated - a different animal.

Just clarifying for BD's sake.

Gary
 
Lexicologist71 said:
A friend of mine does a lot of cabinetry. I used some of his oak scraps for coring dowels. They were straight from the first cut. Even being stored in my leaky basement, they stayed true to the end. One is now inside a nice curly maple pj. I was amazed at how much easier it is to construct a cue around a core as opposed to using an A joint. It was dead straight before I cut it down to final size. I think I found a new process.
Click to expand...

That would be lumber core ply???? What are you turning them down to?
 
I buy pre turned flat laminated shaft blanks from S in WI. I buy them coned but not to final size for my jump break shafts. I turn a strong pro taper on them. I turn them at a very slow rpm and very light cuts otherwise I get a lot of harmonic vibration. Very little warp though? Phenolic ferrule with a Madman single layered tip. BANG! Hit like a BSH.
 
I bought a couple of flat laminated shaft blanks from Chris probably back in mid 2000 some time. Those held up fine, still have one on a personal cue that is straight. Never used them for coring though. I Wonder if the radial splices would hold better tolerances.
 
If they used the cheapest maple they could find, they would be crap.
You would have plies with different density and orientation.
Radial or cross-grain laminates (2-4 pieces ) from the same board are much better imo.
 
DanO said:
I buy pre turned flat laminated shaft blanks from S in WI. I buy them coned but not to final size for my jump break shafts. I turn a strong pro taper on them. I turn them at a very slow rpm and very light cuts otherwise I get a lot of harmonic vibration. Very little warp though? Phenolic ferrule with a Madman single layered tip. BANG! Hit like a BSH.
Click to expand...

I've been buying these laminated blanks for 15 years, with no warpage problem...JER
 
GBCues said:
If you are referring to BD's laminated cores in the other forum, his are/were pie laminated, not flat laminated - a different animal.

Just clarifying for BD's sake.

Gary
Click to expand...

Thanks Gary, I didn't even think that someone would link these to be his. IN NO WAY ARE THESE THE BLANKS FROM BOB, AKA 'BDCUES'
These are blanks that I bought on here almost 2 yeas ago and were told they came from Falcon Cues, in Canada.
I have stored them properly, and they just seem to have a mind of their own. I am only interested in using them as coring dowels, not shafts. There is a big difference in a 3/4" x 30" dowel staying straight compared to a 12.5 - 13mm x 29" shaft staying straight, IMO.
I don't want anything taken out of context here, just asking about Flat lam coring dowels not staying straight as soon as they get turned.
Dave
 
I used to buy laminated shaft blanks from a source spoken about on this forum. Good quality but half of them squirm after being cut for coring dowels.

I switched to straight maple and they stay straight. I use a lesser quality shaft blank. They might have a sugar mark or grain that has a little run out. I haven't had a problem since.

I also use purple heart when more weight is needed.

Kim
 
whammo57 said:
I used to buy laminated shaft blanks from a source spoken about on this forum. Good quality but half of them squirm after being cut for coring dowels.

I switched to straight maple and they stay straight. I use a lesser quality shaft blank. They might have a sugar mark or grain that has a little run out. I haven't had a problem since.

I also use purple heart when more weight is needed.

Kim
Click to expand...

Hi,

I agree with Kim and use straight maple dowels for my full core cues.

I do however treat them like shafts and only use the ones that are like laser straight between centers after hanging for years at .750.

JMO,

Rick G
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top