How Do I Prevent Wood from Splitting While Turning Spindles?

3 min


photo of brown wood slab

A profession as a woodworker can be very challenging yet rewarding. Each completed job is often considered to be a work of art for most master woodworkers. However, as with any type of work, issues often arise that can be difficult and quite frustrating to contend with. One common problem that occurs while turning spindles is that the wood sometimes splits. While in some instances, the wood can be salvaged, in extreme situations in which the wood has a severe split, salvage may not be possible. Prevention is often the best way to ensure none of your wood is damaged beyond repair, and here are some tips for avoiding this problem altogether:

Consider Using a Sealant 

Using a sealant could fix the problem of wood splitting. Moisture changes in the wood could cause it to become dry, making it vulnerable to splitting. A high-quality sealant could preserve the moisture of the wood, which can prevent any frustrating splitting during the turning process. If you prefer not to use a sealant, you could use varnish or a stabilizer, as all three would serve the purpose of preventing the wood from drying out. Boiled linseed oil is commonly used as an effective sealant because it’s easy to apply and seals in moisture, which helps to minimize splitting. However, the sky is the limit when it comes to the types of sealants you can use, and you might need to experiment with different choices to find the type and brand that you like the best.

Check Your Spindle

You might need a spindle replacement or repair, so you will need to inspect your spindle to determine if it’s at fault. A faulty spindle could result in excessive vibration, which causes increased pressure against the wood, and possible splitting. Spindles have a major job, and without a properly functioning spindle, none of these jobs will get completed properly. Keeping your spindle in good working order at all times can prevent a host of frustrating problems from occurring, and not just wood splitting. Therefore, it’s a good idea to perform regular maintenance on your spindle to ensure its condition is up to par when it comes to the important job it must do.

Choose the Right Wood 

Some types of wood are more prone to cracking and splitting than others. When choosing a wood type for your spindling jobs, be sure to choose a high-quality choice that can easily withstand the harsh environment inside a lathe. Some top choices of wood that is high-quality and durable are:

  • Maple – This is a very hard wood that has a fine grain. Maple is a popular type of wood used in spindle turning due to its durability and ease of use. Maplewood is also very aesthetically- pleasing, as well.
  • Ash – Ash is another great choice of wood that isn’t prone to splitting during the spindle-turning process.
  • Cherry – This is a woodworker’s favorite because of its beauty as well as how easy it is to use in the spindle-turning process. Cherry provides a gorgeous finish, and it’s relatively easy to turn.
  • Hickory – This wood type is known for its extreme durability. Hickory is often a popular choice for larger projects.

Ensure Your Tools Are Sharp

There are plenty of reasons why you need your tools to be sufficiently sharpened when you’re working with them, and one of them is to ensure they’re not so dull they’re causing unnecessary friction against your wood. This unnecessary force could lead to splitting. It’s easy to sharpen your tools, so before beginning every job, inspect them, and if you notice they’re becoming dull, quickly sharpen them before you begin processing. Sharp tools can make other aspects of the process go more smoothly, too.

Use Pre-Drilled Holes 

By opting for pre-drilled holes, you are minimizing your chances of encountering splitting wood during the spindling process. This is because, with pre-drilled holes, the impact against the wood will be significantly less. There are other benefits of choosing to work with wood with pre-drilled holes, as well. Not only does it make it easier to drive holes into the material, but pre-drilling ensures accurate alignment as well as enhanced screw grip.

Take Your Time

It can be easy to be in a hurry when you’re working in a fast-paced environment with the goal of getting out as many jobs as possible in a short period of time. When woodworkers are processing wood at such a fast pace, it’s easy to unknowingly apply too much pressure, which could be the cause of wood splitting in some cases. By being mindful and making certain you’re careful not to apply excessive force, you may be able to minimize the likelihood that your wood will split while processing it.

Improper Mounting

It’s imperative to properly mount your wood prior to processing it, ensuring that it is securely placed. Improperly mounting your wood can result in it wobbling during the turning process, which could lead to splitting, among other issues. Again, it’s understandable that you might be in a hurry to get jobs processed, but you want to process those jobs as easily and as hassle-free as possible and with as much accuracy and precision as you can. This is why it’s essential that you slow down and ensure that you’re properly prepared to start processing wood using the spindle. Part of being properly prepared, of course, means making certain that the wood is securely mounted before beginning.

There is no need to contend with wood splitting during the spindling process. Not only can this cause immense frustration, but it can lead to unnecessary downtime. By following these helpful tips, hopefully, you can keep any wood-splitting problem to a minimum and create beautiful spindles that will make your projects turn out perfectly. Sometimes, no matter what you do, wood can split during the spindling process, but hopefully, it only rarely happens and can be easily fixed.


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