Thread: Wooden Roller - Timber Choice????

"Bling factor" would imply to me laminated construction using different coloured timbers and possibly an interesting pattern.

maybe something like the pattern on one of these vases ?



timber?
any fairly stable hardwood should do -- "bling" implies (to me) that the mower is for display not use

Originally Posted by DaveTTC

G'day all,

So I have a job to make a roller for the front of a roller lawn mower. Awaiting dimensions but guessing a cylinder about 450 long, maybe 600 x 100 - 150.

This will be a daily use machine.

What timber would you recommend for a lawn mower. The guy says he wants 'bling factor'


Also ... how to finish it - oil?

Thanks


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

Any hard tough timber. There are any number of expensive highly figured timbers, how many available in AU I can't say.

See: http://www.hearnehardwoods.com/hardw...tic_woods.html

Finish with applying Tung oil cut half & half with mineral spirits until it will take up no more, then full strength Tung oil applied with a rag to the roll while turning on the lathe.

Assuming a velvet smooth lawn with no rocks, it will look pretty for a long time. The soaked in Tung oil keeps out moisture. I use it on outdoor door sills as well on all my bowls, tool handles, mushrooms, eggs, etc.

Will you get to see the sample? to see what the manufacturer had used? thinking on my feet you can buy pre laminated merbau/ kwilla or some iron bark?
I look forward to seeing the finished product!

Paul - thanks, I will look at getting tung oil

Originally Posted by chuck1

Will you get to see the sample? to see what the manufacturer had used? thinking on my feet you can buy pre laminated merbau/ kwilla or some iron bark?
I look forward to seeing the finished product!

Chuck, this is a new Honda mower, the orginal roller is still very new and shiny chrome. I cant understand why he wants to change to wood?

Yes he says this will be his daily ride, I guess he does it for a job - lawns


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

Ian

love your work ... that would be one awesome roller. Im thinking there would be different movement rates as he assures me this really is a user


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

the grass might stick to the metal more than timber?! you can get get a tin of stuff that seals the the timber we use on exterior Timber, cant remember the name of it! we use it on treated pine staircases!

Originally Posted by chuck1

the grass might stick to the metal more than timber?! you can get get a tin of stuff that seals the the timber we use on exterior Timber, cant remember the name of it! we use it on treated pine staircases!

If you happen to remember ....

The guy is talking BullOak ... does that sound like a vaible species to use

More info 80 mm D x 430 mm long with a 10 mm bore down the middle and bearing seated in each end.


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

Originally Posted by DaveTTC

G'day all,

So I have a job to make a roller for the front of a roller lawn mower. Awaiting dimensions but guessing a cylinder about 450 long, maybe 600 x 100 - 150.

This will be a daily use machine.

What timber would you recommend for a lawn mower. The guy says he wants 'bling factor'

Hope someone can help. Worried about movement myself with summer and winter and moisture from the lawn.

Also ... how to finish it - oil?

Thanks


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

Hi dave,
How about a spiral model???

Originally Posted by smiife

Hi dave,
How about a spiral model???

Dont laugh ... I thought about it

Big spiral then cast in resin and turn down to given size. How would resin hold up for a front roller on a mower?


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

Rethink ... spiral from each end so it looks like and arrow head pointing forwards as he pushes it along


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

I am not sure on the resin idea. I was under the impression that resin cracks when hit unless there is something inside the resined item.

I have made a few bowls and filled voids with resin. Never dropped one so can not confirm.

Have you considered Cypress Pine? A good hard-wearing outdoor timber that would naturally resist moisture.

Dave

Thanks Christos,

Ive never done any resin so all advice in that area is appreciated

Originally Posted by MrFez

Have you considered Cypress Pine? A good hard-wearing outdoor timber that would naturally resist moisture.

Dave

Dave,

I am not sure how it would weather overall. I am not hugely experienced with timbers though worked with it (pine) all my life. Any Cypress Pine I have seen exposed to the elements has cracked ... not sure how it would stand up in this case


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

Just some thoughts on this, in no particular order.

If it's his "daily ride" and he cares enough to pimp his ride, then he'll probably be doing regular lubrication and other maintenance and cleaning, so he'll probably be quite happy to oil the roller frequently, which should prevent any moisture related issues. Any finish you put on it will wear off, so it'll need to be oiled anyway.

I'd go for something that is fairly stable and doesn't shrink too much when it dries - woods used for musical instruments (wood winds that is) are usually chosen for their stability (and resonance obviously), so picking something used for instruments would make some sense - resonance usually requires some hardness. I don't know your woods, but over here I'd probably use mopane.