In segmented woodturning, the object is first constructed
in rough form by gluing together many segments of wood, then turned to its final
shape on the lathe. This allows the use of different species, control of grain
orientation, and the addition of geometric figure to the piece.I often use veneer of contrasting color between segments or between
rings.
The segments
are cut out on the bandsaw and sanded to fit. My sanding table was made
by machinist extraordinaire Norm Vordahl, of Las Vegas.
Then they’re glued into rings
Then the rings are glued together
into a stack. The ring press was also made by Norm Vordahl.
The final “rough” form of the piece is mounted on the
lathe for final turning.
I learned this technique from Paul Weinberger, of
Weston, WV. Paul is a patternmaker, retired from the glass industry that once
flourished in this part of the country, and this process is essentially the same
as the one by which glass moulds and mould patterns were made in the old days.
This method of preparing the segmented form is different from the more
common use of a table saw or miter saw.
