Club Meeting: 26 Jun 2024
Report by: Ian Connelly

Terry started the demo declaring that when he searched Google to find something about the history of the rolling pin and was greeted with thousands of results. In Summary

Its origins can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Early versions of the rolling pin were made from materials like wood, stone, and even ceramic. These primitive tools were used not only for cooking but also for tasks such as crushing grains and spices.

Terry then presented some examples of rolling pins, and also some feedback he had received from the recipient.

First traditional bakers rolling pin – Too short, and need drilled with separate handles

French Pastry Rolling Pin – Too tapered

He then showed some other rolling pins which included half a marble/stone rolling pin

Rolling Pin 1

Terry took a long piece of wood and mounted it between steb centres.

Rounded the middle to allow the use of a steady to help remove the whip from such a long piece of timber. (plan for steady – Spindle Steady Small)

Then he used the parting tool and calipers to “gauge” the wood, to make sure the result would be consistent.

Using a skew chisel he joined the parted valleys.

A long board sander was then used to sand the rolling pin and keep it flat.

Rolling Pin 2

A short piece of wood was selected (about 350mm), again mounted between stebs. Gauged to 60mm.

Then he marked 70mm from each end, parted down to 25.4mm. Using a spindle roughing gouge he turned the handles.

Then he took a beading tool and put ribs along one of rolling pin handles as an example of how they may have been made if being used to crush oats.

A router jig also made an appearance and a couple of large grooves were cut the length of the rolling pin.

Rolling Pin 3

Terry got out a laminated piece of timber (a bud vase blank from training), and turned it a little.

For another example he used a drill jig to make holes, which he then plugged to a non-contrasting timber to give more ideas

This was to demonstrate that a rolling pin does not have to be boring. In fact you may be able to create something that gets passed down the generations or used as a feature in a kitchen.

Not sure that anything created tonight will ever make it to a kitchen, but as always Terry was full of ideas and enthusiasm which may have rubbed off on someone. The show and tell table will hopefully benefit.