Segmented Woodturning Allows the Artist To Put Together Many Designs to Create One Great Piece

Methods Used for Woodturning:

In woodturning, lot of methods were used to provide a very unique outcome. Segmented woodturning is one of those methods. Segmented woodturning allows the artist to use texture and color as design elements in making lathe turned vessels, wood bowls and other pretty wood piece sculptures. In other words, a segmented wood turner has the prerogative on what he or she wants to make.

Segmented woodturning is where an initial work piece composed of number of parts glued together is turned on a wood lathe. This also involves having to glue up a few slabs of wood. This process allows the creation of patterns as well as beautiful visual effects in the turned objects. Polychromatic turning is the other name for the segmented style.

What Makes Segmented Woodturning Different?

Unlike with the conventional methods of woodturning wherein the template used is actually a single piece of wood and the size, orientation of the grain, as well as the bright colors of the wood frame how it can actually be turned into the products such as platters and bowls. This woodturning provides limitation on the size and patterns with your skill, patience and imagination. Though the majority of the segmented turned objects are shaped into vessels of one sort or another, any turned items made up of multiple pieces of glued wood can already be categorized as something that has undergone turning that is segmented.

Product Samples:

Pepper mills, salt shakers, pens and rolling pins are some of the examples. After items are being turned, by merely cutting them and then re-assembling them, can create unique and really beautiful forms, resulting in an artistic piece. You can also see the example of the work accomplished by Malcolm Tibbetts, who is an expert woodturner.

In addition to the design-related skills, it actually needs a lot more precision when it comes to woodworking skills as well as in the turning skills. The design as well as the general make up of a bowl blank, which is the piece of wood that can be usually seen mounted on top of the lathe for turning a vessel, needs to be angled, especially in miter joints cuts to as little as a tenth of just one degree, or a bit more.

Qualities of a Good Segmented Woodturner:

A segmented woodturner also has to possess some of the qualities needed in order for them to be more successful. Primarily, you have to be patient. In everything that we do, there are many quick and instant results. If you want to fulfill yourself and feel real satisfaction, take it easy and slow. Next is that you have to enjoy meticulous work. If you are a kind of person who is easily irritated by complex things, this is definitely an activity not suited for you. In segmented turning, you have to enjoy precise detailed work. Lastly, you need to be a little nutty!

Segmented Woodturners of the Past:

Segmented wood turning has been used a very long time ago, but only a few individuals have used this technique. But since today segmented turning has become more popular, here are some tips and ideas as well as some advantages that can be useful especially to the beginners. First is that a typical segmented project will cost a lot less to make because you make your blank in the shape of the project. This means less materials will be needed. Next is that there is less mess to clean up after turning a segmented object because you don't start with a solid chunk of wood, there will be 65-75% fewer shavings to clean up.

Controlling Grain in Segmented Wood Pieces:

Another thing is that, you can control the grain direction in segmented projects so the turning is easier with fewer opportunities for 'catches' and other unfortunate mishaps. Next is that you will end up with creations that Mother Nature could only dream of because with segmented projects, you can mix different wood types and take advantage of different orientations of the joints between pieces of wood. Another thing also is that you can figure out what your segmented project will look like before you start. There are several design tools you can use to do this.

Managing Leftover Wood:

Also, segmented projects are a way for you make good use of those little, leftover pieces of wood; even pen blanks are sometimes useful. Next important thing is that there is a bunch of people ready and eager to help you. And last but definitely not the least is that you do not have to wait forever for the wood to dry. Dried materials ready for use are easily available in the market.

Basswood Lumber: A Great Wood for Carving Projects

The growing popularity of domestic hardwood lumber is apparent. You can see it in so many different projects around the world. Whether you prefer a hard or soft wood, the beauty of the wood is obvious. One common soft wood is Basswood.

Basswood (also referred to as Tilia Americana) is taken from the beautiful American basswood tree, which reaches heights of 130 feet and diameters of 4 feet. Basswood sapwood is white in color, while its heartwood is creamy white to a pale pinkish-brown. It has straight grains and a fine, even texture. This makes the wood easy to work with. Basswood is most commonly used for picture framing, trim, paint grade trim, glued paneling, boxes, crates, baskets, toys, venetian blinds, veneer, mallet heads, and pattern making. However, it is most popularly used for carving projects, like relief carving. Relief carving is described as carving pictures into wood. Basswood is ideal for carving because is has soft, tight grains, so the wood shows such intricate details. Hobbyists find it to be the best carving wood for airplane models, ship models, and wood sculpting.

Tom Elberson, a lumber salesman, has much experience working with domestic hardwood lumber. Although he enjoys the natural beauty of Basswood, he prefers to paint it.

"Basswood has closed grains, which means it is non-porous. This makes it a great option for painting because the paint doesn't absorb in the wood. It sits on the surface of the wood. However, staining the wood is unsatisfactory. The stain should be absorbed in the wood to show its uniform texture, but the grains aren't defined enough."

Basswood has such great potential for such a soft wood, but it does pose some problems. It has a Janka hardness of 410, which means it is one of the softest domestic hardwoods available. This softness gives the wood unique characteristics, but also specific restrictions in its use. Basswood is pliable, so it has no trouble being glued and it doesn't split easily. For best results, sharp tools are recommended. On the other hand, it has low strength properties, which affects its durability. This causes basswood to have poor resistance to decay. Its softness also influences its nail holding abilities and causes it to have poor steam bending properties.

There is such a wide variety of domestic hardwoods available. Depending on your project, there are different features to look for in a particular wood. Lumber ranges from hard wood to soft wood. Both offer advantages that make them great choices in wood.

Sharpening Wood Turning Tools - Relax To A Great Edge

One of the great secrets to sharpening woodturning tools lies not in the grinder nor the tool but in the woodturner. It is learning to relax and let the tools do the work.

When one begins to turn wood, there is a lot to learn at the wood lathe, which tools to use for what cuts, how to mount the wood safely, how to make a cut that leaves a good surface and how to sharpen the tools, among others. The most arcane appearing to most newcomers to the craft is sharpening, perhaps because it takes place at the grinder and not the wood lathe itself.

However, what one quickly learns at the wood lathe is a tense turner is a tired turner. The best cuts are made with the tool held lightly but firmly in the securing hand while addressing the wood with the guiding, not clenching, hand. Legs are spread about shoulder width apart with the knees slightly bent and the leading leg the same as the guiding hand. This allows the back to be slightly curved but not rigid and the cuts to be guided rather than forced. Work goes ahead without undue effort and the tools do the work rather than being forced by tiring muscles.

All of this seems to be forgotten at the grinder. Yet the movements and body stance to sharpen the woodturning tools are or should be the same as those in turning the wood. With the grinder at the same height as the wood lathe and the tool rest in much the same position, movements that cut wood will now sharpen the tools. Tension on the part of the turner will, however, provided forced and jerking movements that will ruin and edge.

To sharpen free hand it is necessary to duplicate the hand and leg stances of the wood turning. The tool is allowed to ride the bevel along the grindstone and the handle raised as if for a cut. When sparks are observed coming over the edge the tool is rolled left and right as is for a cut. This results in a good edge without tension. Because of this relaxation, not only is a better edge developed, but the turner is also more likely to sharper often without facing all the nervousness of the grinder.

Sharpening jigs serve to eliminate a lot of the tension early because the possibility of error is greatly reduced. They also eliminate the need to learn new sharpening skills at the same time as new woodturning skills. Regardless, a better edge will be received from using the jig if the use is done in a relaxed manner.

Woodturning is intended to be enjoyable. Relaxing and enjoying the sharpening as well as the cutting will develop an all round pleasant experience in the woodworking shop.