Thanks to all for the kind remarks!
Have always wondered.....do you need to do anything special on the 'icicle' piece to keep it from breaking, or is it as 'tender' as it looks?
Scott (long time in coming) B
I was always worried about that too, Scott. But if you use sharp tools and go slow with light cuts it is actually pretty easy (with a straight grained wood, anyway). I actually leave it between centers through the sanding/sealing phase. Then I part of the thin end of the icicle and sand and seal it before parting off the tenon. Oh, I do support the back of the icicle with my fingers while I'm cutting. Kinda like a slidable steady rest. I keep the thumb of that support hand on the front of the tool rest. I'm not sure that makes sense, but that's what I do. It means one handing the skew, but with practice it isn't terribly difficult.
Now some will break or split despite your best efforts. You just never know what is inside the wood until you get there. I actually feared the Red Oak not being strong enough that small, but it was suprisingly resilient. Tighter grained woods like Maple and Cherry are definitely better for small things like that. The icicle on this one is just under 3/32" at the thinnest.
