Open Segment Project - Acoma

[Bob Beaupre]

Started a new open segment project.

It's been a little rocky starting.
This will be 60 segments
35 rows
2040 pieces
About 9 inches tall and 10 inches diameter

I'm using one of Tom Lohman's designs that he has in his downloads you can purchase, so I will not be showing the painted design until I have finished the project. However, the design stikes me more as a Native American hence the name Acoma. I have also changed the profile to be more Native American


OK, problems encountered so far:
New open segment fixture, leaning how to use it properly
First time doing a 60 segment vessel
Learning curve with Segment Pro


First try at row one.
Sure looks wrong. Went back to Segment Pro, watch where that last dot is placed.
Here I had it way to low and the bottom row ID is way to big.

Next try:

Looks much better

But alas we had problems flattening the ring and had pieces flying all over the place. Glue them back on and try again and pieces go flying.......
Finally said screw it and cut them off and started new.

This time I went thru everything at least two and three times. Layout is Segment PRO, same layout in Woodturner Pro, same summary in separate excel spreadsheet. Until I had all three reading the same (almost)

Cutting the parts, lets looks at that. Fit it into the fixture. If I lay a straight edge on the outside it should hit center right!


Well it did but it was 0.25" farther out on the OD radius than the plans called for. So re-adjust the cutting angle and re-cut parts

Next remove my .012" shim from my vertical leg as I was getting to much flex.
Add a second vertical support lock to my shelf to make it more stable.

Do row one over:

Looks good.
Add row two:

Looks good
Use Tom Lohman's advice sand those little buggers at the bottom rather than use a tool. Looks good:


Looks good add row three:


OK your up to speed this is where we are this afternoon.
It only took two weeks and a bottle of whiskey.

 

[mfisher]

I have been toying with the idea of using some of Tom's designs but make them solid and not open segment.

Your new jig looks great. Bet it helps in the alignment for open segments.

 

[Bob Beaupre]

Still working on the alignment from row to row but that will come

 

[Bob Beaupre]

I have been toying with the idea of using some of Tom's designs but make them solid and not open segment.

Your new jig looks great. Bet it helps in the alignment for open segments.

Mike if your interested I have mine drawn up in Sketch up, with a few modifications it would be easy to make.
I could up load it if you wanted

 

[mfisher]

Mike if your interested I have mine drawn up in Sketch up, with a few modifications it would be easy to make.
I could up load it if you wanted

I would like to see your drawings. Only bad thing is I don't drink whiskey. Would beer work instead?
It could be a good summer project to build.
Not sure about the computer controls, though I do have a laptop I keep in the shop. An old xp.

 

[Bob Beaupre]

I would like to see your drawings. Only bad thing is I don't drink whiskey. Would beer work instead?
It could be a good summer project to build.
Not sure about the computer controls, though I do have a laptop I keep in the shop. An old xp.

Attached:
The lower section I used 2x6 only because I needed the extra height for the stepper motor

 

[Tom Lohman]

Bob, your jig is looking good. If things went to smooth you would not be learning, and that is the fun and the headache at the same time.

 

[mfisher]

thanks Bob. I will look it over.

 

[Bob Beaupre]

Well it's one step forward one step back and two steps forward.

Not happy with the alignment on row three (I botched the controls on the computer and tried to reset). Three quarters was good but the rest not so much. So I took the one quarter of the segments off and tried to redo them. Still not happy I turned them off, re-flattened the row and put row three back on. That looked good so we put row four on and that looks good.

Devised myself a positive zero lock for the system. Because I made it and put it on after starting my bowl it's off a little on the spacing of rows one and two. To fix that problem I just shimmed it with three layers of painters tape, now it's right on for this bowl. Next bowl I'll be able to remove the tape.

Here is a picture before I put it in the press to finish drying

 

[Bob Beaupre]

Bob, your jig is looking good. If things went to smooth you would not be learning, and that is the fun and the headache at the same time.

You are so right

 

[Bob Beaupre]

Row six on

 

[Bob Beaupre]

Rows seven and eight on today

 

[mfisher]

Bob:
Looking good.
General question, Would your jig be applicable to building closed segment rings?

 

[Bob Beaupre]

I will say yes
It's pretty much like Tom Lohman's
See Tom Lohman video "Flora" at about 12 minutes into the video he is working on the top ring, solid segemt

Link:

 

[Bob Beaupre]

Mike I am going to try it as the top row on this bowl

 

[mfisher]

Thanks Bob. Looks like I may have to build one of those jigs yet. The high density segment and the ability to make patterns has me intrigued. Tom and your work is something I am trying to strive for.

 

[Tom Lohman]

I have done several closed segment projects now, from 48 segment to 144 segments per row. It adds around 25% time to each row now that I have done more than 30,000 pieces using this technique. Bob it is a little frustrating at first. You need patients, make sure the pieces you put on do not move when you slid in the pieces. After working on the project I am on now I find it best to sort your pieces into 3 piles (for each species), small medium and large (S.E.L.). Base your next piece size on how much resistance was there when you slid the last piece.

 

[Bob Beaupre]

Tom thanks for the heads up on the solid rings

 

[Bob Beaupre]

Thanks Bob. Looks like I may have to build one of those jigs yet. The high density segment and the ability to make patterns has be intrigued. Tom and your work is something I am trying to strive for.

Mike let me know if you need any additional information, I'll be glad to help

 

[Bob Beaupre]

A little turning this morning on the ID
There is more to do but the big tip are gone