Big Popper How to/ Blue Streak 3 oz

[numbskull]

Next to the table saw to cut the slant. To keep things level I screw the plug to a board, through a hole 1/2 the diameter of the plug from the edge of the board. Then a pass through the saw with the miter gauge at 73 degrees. And then presto the end result.

[numbskull]

The rest is pretty standard, but there are a few tips that might interest some.
Next I drill the belly holes using a centered V block.
Look closely at the picture and you'll see two things that help. First I use a smaller V block that I can slide under the tail to level the plug. Second I use a square against the slant of the face to be sure the apex of the slant will end up aligned with the belly hole (if you rotate the plug against the square edge the slant moves away on one side.....when both sides touch you are aligned).

[numbskull]

Then I drill the weight hole using a step drill so I stay on center (Paul will undoubtably notice the drill is off line...that is because this body was a misdrill ). Mark the depth with tape.

[numbskull]

Then off to a box of unfinished crap to wait until a few days before Plugfest when it is too late to possibly finish them but I'll feel I need to try.

And that concludes my bit of this little How To.

There are other ways to cut popper faces using router bits, reground spade bits, and a really neat idea posted on SOL by a guy who turns a disc the diameter of his cup in the center of a spindle, then glues sandpaper to its edge, leaves it between the centers on his lathe,holds the plug body perpindicular and supported on his tool rest, turns on the lathe, advances the plug face into the disc, and rotates the plug to cut the face. Impressively clever and clear proof that guy is not from Franklin.

Anybody else please feel free to chip in what they do differently.

[Muskyslayer96]

Numbskull,

AWESOME post! Thanks,

MS

[O.D. Mike]

Thanks for the tip, pre drilling before using the rasp!