If you really want to start building some quickly without the expense of a lathe, you can start with a combinations belt/disk sander for under a hundred bucks. and use some hardwood dowel 3/4 to 7/8" available at most lumber yards. On the Disk sander you develope your inital body style and angles. and smooth it out on the belt. If you have access to a Drill press, the easiest jig for drilling the centers is: Clamp a peice of 4"x4" down and drill a hole the same diameter as your stock down about 3" and place your dowel in it. this is a very easy jig method. than your sure the hole is directly center of the drill. Make sure you use the vaccume attachments on the sanders. Because you will be taking off a lot of material. I had a bad reaction a while ago from breathing saw dust.
Good Luck, if you want to see how I do them send me an email anc you can come down I'll be glad to show you:
armandt@bsn1.net
Good Luck
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