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Wondering if anyone here squares up briar blocks (on a saw) prior to marking them up and going to the lathe?

George

Yes. All of them, always. Accurately fitting in the chuck depends entirely on this if you are drilling on a lathe or even a drill press, really. Lots of guys use big sanding discs, I use a table saw, takes about 2 minutes per block. If you are shaping first and then drilling, no need for this.

I square them up on a sanding disc mostly, sometimes use the bandsaw first if there is a lot that needs trimming. As above you need them square or at least very close to it for accurate and safe gripping in the chuck.

Thanks guys. Briar is always oddly cut so even marking it out can be a pain when it isn't square. I'm getting ready to shape my first pipe on the lathe and I did not square it up but the stummel end is square enough for the chuck thank goodness.

In the future I will square them up.

I will either have to use my band saw or a chop saw. Neither one is ideal. The band saw has a very thin blade which is great for shaping but not great for cutting something true. I have a wide blade but changing them is a pain. Cutting a chunk of briar with a large chop saw is a bit of close work but it can be done.

You need one of these:.

Duh...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa5gyd0Ymrg&t=7m40s

LatakiaLover wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2020 11:41 am You need one of these:.

Duh...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa5gyd0Ymrg&t=7m40s

YIKES!! I think I'd end up losing limbs with that thing. I'm just a little too clumsy.

I've seen that video and others like it. I have no idea how those guys have all their fingers. But that's also how we get briar blocks without a single right angle.

I honestly rarely square up blocks. The most I do is roughly sand 1 or 2 sides to clean them up. Then again most blocks I receive are pretty squared..

I use mostly Makis plateaux. He's pretty good about cutting them fairly square, but if not, I just throw it on the disk for a few seconds on each side and I'm good to go.

Seeing briar cutting up close is even more terrifying! I declined the offer to have a go myself.

Nope!
DocAitch

I never used to square them up, but when I upgraded my belt sander to one with an 8” disk, it made it simple to do, and it does help with fitting it in the chuck.


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Yes. I actually use a mitre saw with a block clamp that holds the briar in place so I don't kill myself. I've found it's essential for some blocks. I probably had $200 of blocks that I couldn't use without squaring, so coming up with a way to square them is really helpful.

You can:
Mitre Saw with clamps
Disk sander with 90 deg. table
Belt sander with guide
Band saw