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Conductor's Baton (Read 695 times)
 
Glenn Jacobs
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Conductor's Baton
Feb 19th, 2019 at 3:30pm
 
First has anyone made one?
Second how would be the best (safest) way to taper the shaft?
Ordered fiberglass 3/16" rod

Glenn J.
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Re: Conductor's Baton
Reply #1 - Feb 19th, 2019 at 4:03pm
 
Glenn Jacobs wrote on Feb 19th, 2019 at 3:30pm:
Ordered fiberglass 3/16" rod


If you're starting at 3/16", what size will the shaft at the tip be?
I haven't turned fiberglass rod but depending on how you turn, you might need a spindle steady to keep it from whipping.
When I turn small diameter stock, I run it through the headstock (must be hollow) and only have a small portion protruding from the chuck. Once the tip (smallest diameter) is turned, slide out another couple of inches and repeat.
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Don Stephan
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Re: Conductor's Baton
Reply #2 - Feb 19th, 2019 at 7:36pm
 
I've turned "magic wands" but not to that small a diameter, and out of wood.  After bringing round, I start at the headstock fashioning a handle or grip, then start working the shaft thinner and thinner using a skew.  My right is hand is holding the skew.  My left hand is resting on the tool rest, my left thumb pushing the skew forward, and my fingers curling around the shaft to steady it.

If fiberglas is full of glass fibers, may not be pleasant to turn.
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Ron Carrabotta
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Re: Conductor's Baton
Reply #3 - Feb 20th, 2019 at 9:08am
 
Glenn,

I've made several. Used 1/4" Oak dowel. Tapered off lathe using belt sander/scraper/sandpaper. Most important thing on a baton is the balance point, should be right where the handle meets the shaft.
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« Last Edit: Feb 20th, 2019 at 9:09am by Ron Carrabotta »  

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Re: Conductor's Baton
Reply #4 - Feb 20th, 2019 at 9:34am
 
Fiberglass rods are made of strands, this is much like wood fibers.
With something the size being discussed, wood or fiberglass, it will be quite flexible. I would most likely stick to abrasives to taper it. A sanding block may be the easiest way to go.
Good luck
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Glenn Jacobs
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Re: Conductor's Baton
Reply #5 - Feb 20th, 2019 at 12:29pm
 
I knew I could trust this site for information. THANKS!

So my thoughts have been to use a chuck and concave cone in the tail stock
Use abrasives to taper. (May use skew, but not that familiar with it yet.)
Rockler has an abrasive bow saw device that I'm thinking about. Quote:
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Tip would be about a 1/16" diameter, rounded over.

I will have enough material to build 18 batons.

Again thanks for the help.

Glenn J.
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Don Stephan
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Re: Conductor's Baton
Reply #6 - Feb 20th, 2019 at 2:09pm
 
Glenn

If the fiberglass rod will be glued in a wood handle, taper one end of the handle blank and push into the headstock spindle.  If the taper is fairly accurate the handle blank will register well even if removed and reinserted.  With this trick I picked up from John K Jordan (the other John Jordan) little pressure is needed at the tailstock.
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Re: Conductor's Baton
Reply #7 - Feb 23rd, 2019 at 9:48am
 
I've made 2 of them.  Will have to resize picture and post later.  I made them with a holly baton and hardwood handle.  Turned a tenon on the baton end and drilled the handle so the 12" stock fit an inch into the handle.  Turned them between centers with the handle at the headstock and tip at the tailstock.  Handles were about 3" and baton about 11". 

Did not use a steady rest but also did not turn them down to .25" diameter.  I tapered them from tip to handle so it was close to .25" at the tip and flowed smoothly into the handle.  Turned at a slower speed than normally and supported the baton with my left hand while I held the tool in my right hand.  Most of this was done with a very sharp roughing gouge.  Parted off waste on both ends and sanded to round.

Holly is pretty light weight so the balance point was where the two woods met.
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Glenn Roberts
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Re: Conductor's Baton
Reply #8 - Feb 23rd, 2019 at 8:33pm
 
Glenn, The micro fibers got into my hands like micro slivers. Tough to find and remove.
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Re: Conductor's Baton
Reply #9 - Feb 24th, 2019 at 1:51pm
 
I generally don't use dust mask when turning my green wood, and don't need one when sanding with my sanding hood. However, anything to do with fiberglass requires dust mask and body protection along with exceptional dust collection. Those glass fibers float like wood dust and pretty much last forever....

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Re: Conductor's Baton
Reply #10 - Feb 24th, 2019 at 6:59pm
 
Here is the picture I promised yesterdady.
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Glenn Jacobs
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Re: Conductor's Baton
Reply #11 - Feb 25th, 2019 at 1:29pm
 
Hadn't thought about the fibers. Thanks, Means I'll have to wear gloves, latex, and mask.

Glenn j.
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