How to Make a Simple Rolling Pin

Do you ever see something that is so sweet that you want it? But you don’t want to spend that kind of money? This is how I feel about rolling pins. There are some amazing handmade rolling pins out there but I cannot bring myself to spend that kind of money on a rolling pin (the money would be better spent on something else, like food)…

Then one day it hit me, I can make one! How hard could it be? Turns out it’s pretty easy but I did not add the detailing some people do. Oh have you watched the videos on how to make a rolling pin or wooden bowls? Or is it just me that watches random wood videos… Anyways the machine that is used is amazing! It’s called a Wood Lathe (the process is also called wood turning). It’s one of those machines I would have if I had a work shop and the money for all the tools I wanted. I guess I will have to keep dreaming of that… OK now let’s get back to making a simple rolling pin, one that anyone can make.

Let me show you how it turned out and I did make a second with a little more detail.

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Materials:

1.5-2″ Wooden Dowel (we used a 2″ maple)
120 Grit Sandpaper
320 Grit Sandpaper
Mineral Oil (found in the pharmacy, less than $3)

NOTE: You could use beeswax with mineral oil to sill the wood. Here are a couple brands that have really good reviews, here and here.

STEP 1:

Select a 1.5-2″ wood dowel and cut the dowel to the desired length you want your rolling pin. Some stores will cut the dowel for you.

We purchased a 2″ maple dowel from our local wood working store for $16. The dowel was 36″ (3ft) so we decided to cut the dowel in half, that way we could have two rolling pins at 18″. 

STEP 2:

Sand the dowel with 120 grit sandpaper then with the 300 grit sandpaper.

STEP 3:

Clean the dowel making sure there is no dust from sanding.

STEP 4:

Apply mineral oil to the dowel making sure to cover the entire surface. Think of it like apply stain to the wood. Let the dowel sit overnight.

Here is the difference between one dowel with mineral oil (bottom) and one without (top). See how it brings out the colors in the wood…

STEP 5:

Lightly sand the dowel again with the 300 grit sandpaper. Wipe clean then apply another coat of mineral oil. Let the dowel sit again overnight, apply a third coat of oil if needed. The rolling pin is ready to use.

**Like all rolling pins it will need to be re-oiled occasional. And never put it in a dishwasher to clean or sit in water. The rolling pin above was only wiped with a dry paper towel to remove the flour.**

Pretty simple right? But let’s add a little more detailing to the rolling pin. How about something like this?

To get this look, you will need a chop saw. After completing step 1, move the chop saw blade to a 45 degree angle. Mark the end of the dowel into 8 equal parts. I decided to use our apple slicer which has never been used to cut apples because I always forget… So if you have an apple slicer lightly press down until you have little cut marks in the wood.

If you notice in the picture below, I pressed some areas a little harder than needed.

Now time to cut! Place a marking straight down on the saw.

I found that I liked the edge of the dowel to be even with the hole that the blade enters (cover the hole).

Then make the cut. Continue this around the whole dowel until you have 8 cuts (you could do more or less). Then do the same process for the other side of the dowel.

After cutting go back to step 2 and complete all the steps to finish the rolling pin.

And that’s how to make a simple rolling pin for less than $10 each. What do you think?

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