Do you square up your blocks?

[n80]

Wondering if anyone here squares up briar blocks (on a saw) prior to marking them up and going to the lathe?

George

[Sasquatch]

Yes. All of them, always. Accurately fitting in the chuck depends entirely on this if you are drilling on a lathe or even a drill press, really. Lots of guys use big sanding discs, I use a table saw, takes about 2 minutes per block. If you are shaping first and then drilling, no need for this.

[caskwith]

I square them up on a sanding disc mostly, sometimes use the bandsaw first if there is a lot that needs trimming. As above you need them square or at least very close to it for accurate and safe gripping in the chuck.

[n80]

Thanks guys. Briar is always oddly cut so even marking it out can be a pain when it isn't square. I'm getting ready to shape my first pipe on the lathe and I did not square it up but the stummel end is square enough for the chuck thank goodness.

In the future I will square them up.

I will either have to use my band saw or a chop saw. Neither one is ideal. The band saw has a very thin blade which is great for shaping but not great for cutting something true. I have a wide blade but changing them is a pain. Cutting a chunk of briar with a large chop saw is a bit of close work but it can be done.

[LatakiaLover]

You need one of these:.

Duh...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa5gyd0Ymrg&t=7m40s

[Adui]

You need one of these:.

Duh...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa5gyd0Ymrg&t=7m40s

YIKES!! I think I'd end up losing limbs with that thing. I'm just a little too clumsy.

[n80]

I've seen that video and others like it. I have no idea how those guys have all their fingers. But that's also how we get briar blocks without a single right angle.

[Massis]

I honestly rarely square up blocks. The most I do is roughly sand 1 or 2 sides to clean them up. Then again most blocks I receive are pretty squared..

[UnderShade]

I use mostly Makis plateaux. He's pretty good about cutting them fairly square, but if not, I just throw it on the disk for a few seconds on each side and I'm good to go.

[caskwith]

Seeing briar cutting up close is even more terrifying! I declined the offer to have a go myself.

[DocAitch]

Nope!
DocAitch

[sandahlpipe]

I never used to square them up, but when I upgraded my belt sander to one with an 8” disk, it made it simple to do, and it does help with fitting it in the chuck.


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[Masonrygh]

Yes. I actually use a mitre saw with a block clamp that holds the briar in place so I don't kill myself. I've found it's essential for some blocks. I probably had $200 of blocks that I couldn't use without squaring, so coming up with a way to square them is really helpful.

You can:
Mitre Saw with clamps
Disk sander with 90 deg. table
Belt sander with guide
Band saw