Celtic knot

[Wipedout]

Good morning

I want to make a Celtic knot peppermill. I've tried to find some good plans or YouTube on making one. No luck. Looked at some of the rolling pin ones and gave it a try but it was a failure

Anyone have a good set of plans for one? Or that I can modify into ones for a peppermill please

[greenacres2]

I've done a good many Celtic Knots in ink pens, starting with tutorial from the penturners forum.  It took a few tries to adapt myself to the tutorial though.  What was the nature of the failure? Blanks coming apart was the first thing i had to deal with--found epoxy and a few days of curing between steps helped.  Also helped the blank and look to use the same grain orientation for the inserts as the original blank. (i.e.  Crosscut kerf=crosscut insert for the knot)
If the blank held together, but the look was off--starting square and staying centered are required for a good knot.  I struggle with that a lot, but knowing that I"M the problem helps!! 
Segment proportions hard to get a sense of as well.  The exposed top and bottom of the insert segments are much thicker than the insert.  For a 1/2" diameter pen, a 1/16" thick insert looks about right if i cut the opening at 30 degrees.  At least to me!!  Instead of cutting all the way through the blank, i cut a kerf ALMOST all the way through, and mill my inserts to the thickness of that kerf.  I use my 10" table saw, but use a 8" blade with a .065" kerf (if i recall correctly.  Once i make that first cut, i glue in the insert and leave the saw settings alone until i can make the next cut 24 hours later--that way the blank hits the stop exactly where it was before.  So...i usually build at least a handful of blanks at the same time--and during the week since i'm still working a day job (may have to get a second table saw for retirement!!) 
Long response to provide no answer, other than to let you know that when you get it--it'll be worth it.  I will say that i don't think i could sell a Celtic knot pen for enough to make it worth-while, but they do make great gifts!!
Good Luck!!
earl

[Wipedout]

I've done a good many Celtic Knots in ink pens, starting with tutorial from the penturners forum.  It took a few tries to adapt myself to the tutorial though.  What was the nature of the failure? Blanks coming apart was the first thing i had to deal with--found epoxy and a few days of curing between steps helped.  Also helped the blank and look to use the same grain orientation for the inserts as the original blank. (i.e.  Crosscut kerf=crosscut insert for the knot)
If the blank held together, but the look was off--starting square and staying centered are required for a good knot.  I struggle with that a lot, but knowing that I"M the problem helps!! 
Segment proportions hard to get a sense of as well.  The exposed top and bottom of the insert segments are much thicker than the insert.  For a 1/2" diameter pen, a 1/16" thick insert looks about right if i cut the opening at 30 degrees.  At least to me!!  Instead of cutting all the way through the blank, i cut a kerf ALMOST all the way through, and mill my inserts to the thickness of that kerf.  I use my 10" table saw, but use a 8" blade with a .065" kerf (if i recall correctly.  Once i make that first cut, i glue in the insert and leave the saw settings alone until i can make the next cut 24 hours later--that way the blank hits the stop exactly where it was before.  So...i usually build at least a handful of blanks at the same time--and during the week since i'm still working a day job (may have to get a second table saw for retirement!!) 
Long response to provide no answer, other than to let you know that when you get it--it'll be worth it.  I will say that i don't think i could sell a Celtic knot pen for enough to make it worth-while, but they do make great gifts!!
Good Luck!!
earl

It was a alignment failure - my fault I had a cutoff of a baseball bat blank 3 inch hard maple - I thought i could cut it and glue it - it was ambitous and failed lol

[iclark]

oops, posted my reply in joemacs thread on Celtic knots for rolling pins.

Same concepts and issues as pepper mills (especially keeping things centered). So, leaving that one pulled up.