"
Think of it as a piece of branch wood,
but with no grain strength.
A natural surface around the circumference, and
a small diameter but long length, make a pod
suitable for projects that you would think to
make out of a branch. Although it looks like the
heart of a branch, the core of a pod has no grain
structure and a thin finial will break off very
easily.
"
Be sure to use eye protection!
When roughing the exterior of the pod, there are
fur and sharp particles flying around. Also,
expect to need a bath after turning a pod (they
are very dusty)!
"
Be careful cutting the ends off on the
bandsaw.
A vee-groove shaped sled to hold the pod from
rolling is a good idea. Keep your body parts out
of the path of the blade!
"
Start with the pod between centers.
After cutting the ends off, the center core of the pod
can be used for the centers to mount the pod
evenly most of the time. A chucking point can be
cut, or a tenon for mounting into a recess in a
faceplate-mounted waste block. I have not had
good luck cutting the end off and just gluing it flat
onto a waste block.
"
Pods scrape, cut, and sand well, but
they are abrasive.
High speed steel, or especially the new “powder
metallurgy” tools, carbide tipped drill bits, and good
quality sandpaper are really valuable for turning
pods. Sanding at slow speeds gives better results.
"
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