On Mar 29, 2:30*pm, Gary Kunstmann wrote:
What is the safest method to trim the excess from red oak 2 X 2 spindle
blanks before turning?

Gouge, with the tool rest set as close as possible to give
you the most leverage and the least chattering.

With experience, you can do pretty much the entire turning
job with a sharp gouge save for beading or parting. Much
more impressive to fire a long, unbroken curly over your
shoulder than to make a pile of dust with a scraper.