dr. awsome

I've been looking around for a banister post and can't find anything I really like, plus I don't really want to spend close to $40 for one that I'm just going to paint white anyways. I'm looking for recommendations on what wood to use. Could I simply go to a big box and get a pine 4x4 and turn one out of that or would there be something better to use? With getting something from a big box do I need to worry about it not being cured?

Jeff4woodturning

Dr A, I had pine banister posts they would not stay tight, replaced them with oak and they have been holding tight ever since. yes i would worry about big boxes of 4x4's might have some kind of flaws or still have to much moisture for turning causing checks.

__________________
Jeff,

"Just because your not bleeding, don't mean your turning safely"..

Http://www.4woodturning.com

john lucas

I would glue up my own. The thick wood at the box stores sucks and will most likely crack when moved indoors. I've used several varieties when building utility work benches for the shop and they almost always check.
Some of the places that sell ballisters are actually prices at about what it costs me to just buy the wood. In some cases less. I bought some ballisters a few years ago and them put them on the lathe and refined the shapes into what I wanted. It was as cheap as buying the wood locally and knew theirs was dry.