A couple months ago I spent a few hundred on a dowel maker with all the fittings to turn all my own shafts. I've been making shoot shafts for decades and know very well how to straighten them and keep them straight. I use heat and a bighorn sheep straightener. For dowel shafts, what is the best way to do the fine straightening without spending as much time as a shoot arrow? Roller?
I also have a question about stain. I made about 100 poplar shafts. I left a couple in the sprinklers for a few days and see why POC is so superior in raw form. I like the look of the natural wood instead of the high gloss shaft. I know to get the gloss look they are soaked for days. My question is, can I just rub on a couple coats of shellac or tung oil to seal the shaft enough to make it water resistant?
I am very new to turning my own shafts and your timesaving answers will be much help. I'm sure I will have more questions later.
Thanks
chuck