Peppermill

[RKing]

Can a peppermill be made from a 2 1/2 " by 2 1/2" stock? all the paterns I look at requires a 3"x3" stock, I have enough material for a 2 1/2 " one and would like to make it with that but I would like to make sure it will be OK, best not to proceed if I am not certain it's OK
Bob

 

[ed4copies]

Or wait and he'll show up.

2.5" WILL work. I would keep the length to 8" or less, just to keep it in proportion. Really tho', finished size of a 10-12" is about 2.5, if you can drill accurately enough, it WOULD work.

FWIW

 

[TellicoTurning]

You'll be able to make the peppermill from the 2.5, but your finished size will be slightly less than 2.5. Drill on the lathe before you round the blank... use jam chucks for the size of the holes through the mill and should work fine.

Three of these pepper mills were from blanks that were only 2.5. The one on the left of the group picture was even smaller.. probably more like 2 1/4. You will wind up with fairly thin walled pepper mills.

 

[spiritwoodturner]

Have you made mills before? If you haven't, I would practice on something 3" or bigger. Plus, like Ed said, the footprint is pretty skinny and you'd best keep it short if you do give it a try. In reality, you'll likely end up with something 2 1/4" at best at the bottom, and that won't be the most stable mill you'll ever turn.

But if the wood is average, what the hey? Do you have good forstner bits?

Have fun,

Dale

 

[hilltopper46]

I turned this set of 6-inch mills (salt and pepper) out of 1-7/8 inch wood. As you can see they are not round.