Segments take time...

Part I.

I first talked about segment turnings back when I started this blog, here.

Given my absence, it has been quite some time since I did any segment work. As I looked for my last segment project, I quickly realized that it’s been over three years! So I can’t really blame it on the deployment as that doesn’t cut it with the timeline. It is funny how that happens. One day we try something new, then next thing we know its’ been a few years since we did the old stuff. Well as I sat in the barracks each night looking for something to do, I realized that this would be the perfect time to work on segment projects! So, during my weekend time, I pulled out the cross cut sled and proceeded to spend about an hour at the table saw running just over 100 cuts. The results were several bags of segments.

Back at the barracks, each night I would take out a bag of segments and begin the process of building rings. The first run involved 3 full rings. Each ring consisted of 18 individual segments.

A single segment. 18 segments make 1 ring

Pair glued together and "clamped" with rubber bands

Pairs of segments are glued together to make quarter rings (or close to it).
The two in the back are half rings

Before the full ring could be assembled, all pieces went to the disk sander for final shaping. As I currently do not own a planer, thickness adjustments were also accomplished on the disk sander. Individual rings were then assembled with glue and rubber bands. I then waited 24 hours for the glue to cure.

Set time vs cure time. The instructions on Tightbond II state to allow 24 hours before "stressing" the joint. However the product fully sets in 4 hours. So basically, if the next step was to just add another section, I waited 4 hours. If the piece were to go to the disk sander, I waited 24 hours, as the torque from the sander would "stress" the joints.

Full ring after clamps

With three rings completed it was time to begin stacking them

Three rings stacked.

With all three rings completed, it was time to return to the table saw to start over. The second set would include 72 segments (enough for 4 rings). Unlike the first set, in which all rings were the same diameter, the second set diameters will reduce by half an inch with each ring. So we will have an 8", 7.5", 7.0", and 6.5". The base was also cut and prepped.

As this is more or less a practice piece, I wasn't as concerned with the visual appearance of the wood used. Therefore, I used what was in stock which is primarily Cherry and Walnut with a Bubinga base.

For part 2, I will stack all rings and mount to the lathe. I may even experiment with my first video for the turning part...no promises though. :)

Until then,

Kevin

Work the wood you shall....

See the Wookiepedia for more images

The process of going through a military medical retirement is a lengthy event, which requires little input from me. As a result, I find that I have ample down time. This gets translated into a variety of woodworking designs. Coupled with the repeated viewing of science fiction TV such as Doctor Who, Star Trek or Star Wars, Firefly, to name a few, the next generation of woodworking designs begins to take on a pre-industrial, science fiction flare. 

As Master Yoda battles Count Dooku, my Sketch up cursor bounces between multiple screens working on everything from a new butcher block counter top to a lumber storage rack in the shape of the TARDIS. I have even designed a dog house for Kaylee in the shape of Serenity.  As I wonder what project should fill the weekend, I search the web for inspiration.

Among the more traditional projects, I find several that fit my current mood:

A steampunk light sabre turned on a lathe:

Found here

A TARDIS Bookshelf....That could easily be made into a drying rack

or even a dehumidifier kiln! That would look good in my shop!

For plans see Mystery Fanfare

For the Trekies out there this is a fine example of sci-fi inspired craftsmanship:

For more on this click here

These all go to show that woodworking can plunge deep into the depths Geek-dom!Whether one craves the pre-industrial style of steampunk or just wants to add a splash of Dr Who to their workshop, there are infinite projects out there which will challenge our skills and yield incredible results. It all starts with a little inspiration and imagination.