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