Where to source 6x6x96” solid wood posts for turning into porch columns?

[mudrat2]

For lathe work on a small budget, two posts in ground with large steel pins pointed on one end through the posts. Mount the blank between the pins. Spin with a rope wrapped around the blank and use a chainsaw to carve a groove at one end. Now use a loop of belt, rope, braded bailer twine, etc. to drive off of a motor. Rough out the shape using chainsaw, then circular saw. Finish with belt or disk sander.

Look at some ideas here:
http://www.projectgridless.ca/2017/11/five-ways-to-make-off-grid-wood-lathe.html
https://www.farmshow.com/a_article.php?aid=15615

 

[oldercut]

In my area there is a company that sells reclaimed cedar from power
poles. You might inquire your local utility and see what they do with
their poles. Except for the butts, they are not treated.

 

[Breckinridge Elkins]

In my area there is a company that sells reclaimed cedar from power
poles. You might inquire your local utility and see what they do with
their poles. Except for the butts, they are not treated.

Seems they would be soaked in creosote and full of rocks and imbedded objects

 

[diver64]

Seems they would be soaked in creosote and full of rocks and imbedded objects

Down this way they are not using creosote anymore. All are pressure treated

 

[les-or-more]

Seems they would be soaked in creosote and full of rocks and imbedded objects

They are getting few and far between up here now but the cedar poles here were untreated, they took one out of the front lawn about 5 years ago it was heavily weathered and gray as can be but no sign what so ever of any kind of treatment. The 100 plus year old house was sitting on three cedar posts until I poured concrete pads and put jack posts in to support the center beam, one of them has already rusted off and been replaced.

 

[jeagan]

Steel beam wrapped with a plaster/cement molded shapes. You're never going to find a lathe to do that for small money and you'll never successfully turn an 8' long 6x6 beam into much of anything if you had the lathe. Hard truths.

 

[les-or-more]

Steel beam wrapped with a plaster/cement molded shapes. You're never going to find a lathe to do that for small money and you'll never successfully turn an 8' long 6x6 beam into much of anything if you had the lathe. Hard truths.

I moved a metal lathe for an Amish a couple of years ago just for this purpose, I believe there are a couple with copy lathes set up around here, all they need is a column to copy.

 

[HavinFun]

Hello,
Great replies, thank you. For the lathe, the setup I halted buying was two older Delta cast iron lathes mounted on a common rail. Was a nice looking piece, custom made by a woodworker. The lathe could fit 107”, but actual length I need is 91”. Would come with a copy stand. I plan to turn the balusters unless I can find some commercially that I like, which I hope is the case for time savings. There was a column lathe for sale made in the 1880s, and looked to be still going strong, but missed it.
Somewhat amazing to think how hard it is to find a solid wood blank without breaking the bank. Probably has a lot to do with all of the old mill yards being turned into pretty townhouse developments. And this has to do with the big box stores putting a lot of them out of business.

 

[les-or-more]

Hello,
Great replies, thank you. For the lathe, the setup I halted buying was two older Delta cast iron lathes mounted on a common rail. Was a nice looking piece, custom made by a woodworker. The lathe could fit 107”, but actual length I need is 91”. Would come with a copy stand. I plan to turn the balusters unless I can find some commercially that I like, which I hope is the case for time savings. There was a column lathe for sale made in the 1880s, and looked to be still going strong, but missed it.
Somewhat amazing to think how hard it is to find a solid wood blank without breaking the bank. Probably has a lot to do with all of the old mill yards being turned into pretty townhouse developments. And this has to do with the big box stores putting a lot of them out of business.

Blanks are not hard to get here, if you need them just ask they are plentiful and I would guess under a C note for the most part. I weld for the Amish on a regular basis so I can ask around to see who has what and what they want for it.