Turning Belaying Pins for the USS Constellation Restoration Project

Belaying Pin Usage and Design

2” x 2” x 25” Purpleheart Turning Blank

Find the Center of Each End and Punch a Small Centering Hole

Attach Drive Center to Handle End of Blank Using the Centering Hole

Blank Mounted Between Centers with Toolrest in Position for Roughing

Rough-Turn the Blank to a Cylinder Using a Roughing Gouge

Blank Partially Roughed Out

Roughed Out Cylinder with Story Stick and Registration Marks

Turn the Shaft Slightly Over-Size. Sand to Final Diameter. Use Template to Verify Diameter

Story-Stick Layout of Handle

Initial Sizing and Clearance Cuts on Handle

Turn Handle End Bead

Handle Fully Developed and Ready For Sanding. Sand Entire Belaying Pin to 320 Grit

Small Tenons Turned on Belaying Pin Ends. Use a Thin Hand Saw or Band Saw to Remove

Excess Material

Completed Belaying Pin

Repeat Process “N” Times