Crafting your kitchen tools adds value to it. It allows you to hone your skill, and save some bucks, too! In this guide, we will talk about how to make a rolling pin by yourself. If you don’t have a lathe that is usually used to create a rolling pin, there’s no need to worry. You won’t need one with this easy-to-follow DIY project.
Types of Rolling Pins
In terms of shape, we can classify rolling pins into two: tapered and straight.
Tapered Rolling Pins
Tapered rolling pin, also called French rolling pin, is the choice of bakers into pastries. As its name suggests, the pin’s ends are tapered, which makes it easy to hold and allows for a more convenient rolling. It’s also best used when working on yeasted doughs. For this tutorial, we’re going to create a French rolling pin.
Straight Rolling Pins
The straight rolling pin, on the other hand, is cylindrical and does not taper. It is also known as American pins and is a good choice if you are baking doughs that need to have even thickness but where accuracy in size and matter is not as relevant, such as making cookies. It’s the cookie-cutter that takes care of its perfect size.
How to Make a French Rolling Pin
The following sections will be your guide on how to make a rolling pin:
What Do I Need?
- A wooden dowel made from hardwood, preferably oak, walnut, or maple, about 20 inches long and 1.25 to 1.5 inches in diameter
- Measuring tape
- Masking tape
- Washer sized 7/8 inches or 1
- Marker (a pencil will do)
- A power sander
- Sanding paper to be used on the power sander with 80 to 320 grit
- Loose sandpaper sheets with the same grit
Measure and Mark the Dowel
Now that your tools are ready let’s get started on how to make a rolling pin!
Since we’re working on a 20″ dowel, we need to figure out the French pin’s actual size that we want to create to adjust the dowel’s length.
The standard length of rolling pins in 20″, and we’re going to let that be, so we don’t need to cut the ends of the dowel, and we’ll have to work our way to taper the ends. We’re making the center diameter at 1.25 inches with 0.8 inches at the ends of this project.
- Measure 4 inches on both ends and mark it; this is where the tapering starts. Use the masking tape to identify the area, so you have a more visual cue to stop standing.
- Position the 7/8 inches washer on the dowel’s ends to mark and draw your pin’s would-be end diameter.
Carefully Sand to Taper the Ends
- From the 4 inches marking you made above, sand the area down to where you made the round mark. This will produce a tapering of 1.25 inches to 7/8 inches.
- Carefully work as you sand the dowel using the power sander. Make sure it tapers equally on both sides. Use the sandpaper with the lower grit initially, gradually increasing in grit as you’re about to achieve your desired diameter. Be mindful not to leave the power sander in an area longer as it will take off too much wood and result in an uneven roll pin.
- Once in a while, check the marks you drew with the washer to be certain you’re not going past the guide, or you’ll end up with a diameter that’s too small.
Go for the Body
Now that we’re done sanding the ends, it’s time to work on achieving the right central diameter for our rolling pin.
This time, use your hands to sand the body. Employing the power sander can be very risky as there’s little room to work on. Besides, the goal here is to smoothen the dowel, not remove more wood. Again, use the lower grit first, increase the grit as you progress. When sanding, make sure to go with the direction of the grain and not against it.
Finishing Touches
When you have finally finished sanding and smoothing the pin, wipe the sand dust using a moist cloth. Never immerse the entire pin in water as it will absorb it and damage the wood. That is how to make a rolling pin. Know more about rolling pins.
Conclusion
Personalized kitchen tools, like a handcrafted rolling pin, truly adds value. We hope you were able to learn how to make a rolling pin with this easy-to-follow tutorial. This DIY project can hone your crafting skills and save your money from buying a brand new rolling pin.