Official Luthiers Forum!

Thanks, Burton. That confirms what my first test indicated: Being as short as it is, the pin blank is plenty stable enough without support from the tailstock. That gets the tailstock out of the way (a good thing).

On the grinding of the cutter to make a form tool, what you recommend makes perfect sense. I'll tinker with my Dremel stuff and see what works. I've got lots of different little grinding attachments.

I really appreciate the guidance.