Irish linen Arbor

In all the years I've been doing this, I never got around to making anything to support a roll of Irish linen while wrapping a cue.  I always hung it on the crank handle for my lathe carriage.  It worked OK, I guess.  The biggest problem was that I'd have to use my right hand to provide a little resistance so the roll didn't freewheel.  And it usually got away from me at some point.  Finally, I decided it was time to find a better way.

I used some leftover nylon & Delrin, an old brass knocker, a bolt I had on hand & some washers.

I had to counterbore the first piece deep enough so the bolt I had on hand would work.  I mean, why buy a longer bolt if I don't really need one?

When both pieces are assembled, the distance between the shoulders is a bit longer than the length of a roll of Irish linen.  This will allow the Irish linen to spin freely on the assembly.  Theoretically, that is.  Even though the nylon OD is a few thou under the ID of the linen roll, the out-of-round condition of the linen roll provides enough resistance that the roll does NOT spin freely.  There's just enough drag to keep it from freewheeling and tangling.

Just slide the linen onto the arbors...

and tighten the bolt into the brass driver.

   
Now you can drag out that quick-change tapered shank holder that's been sitting unused and finally put it to use.  Just mount in on your tool post in the "wrong" position & chuck up on the brass pin.  You now have a solidly mounted arbor supporting a roll of Irish linen that provides just the right amount of drag to get the job done.  Switching colors is simply a matter of loosening the bolt & sliding on a new roll.  And on the rare occasion you might need the drill chuck, just loosen the chuck & you're good to go.

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