• Are you looking for a coupon code to buy my software? You can get one from lots of 3rd party sites but they won't work. My software never goes on sale and has never been discounted. The only coupon codes that are given is when I give a club presentation and I offer a discount to the attendees. Other than that, everyone pays the same price.

A couple of questions

Murray Warner

Murray Warner

PRO Member
Hi all;
I do have a couple of questions. First though I am pleased to see all the new aids in constructing opened and closed segment turnings. I will be ordering very soon.
I have not done any open segment glue ups as yet and was wondering does one have to have another software program to determine segment size and angles to cut for open segments where there is spaces and 4 degree angles.
Also I have the older software and can see where I can upgrade but I just looked quickly and didn't see a price to upgrade or is it indicating that it is 1/2 the original price and what is new in version 3. Thanks and happy to see a forum dedicated to this.
 
Murray,

Even the old version of Woodturner PRO handles open segments. When you add a row, just make sure that you select Open Segment as the Row Type. From the Main Menu, click Project > Project Properties and you'll see a field that that says something like 'Auto Calculate Open Space' and then has a percentage. If you are making an 18-segment row with a 4 degree gap, as is the case with the 18-segment SegEasy plate, the percentage needs to be 20%. If you're using the 24-segment SegEasy plate with it's four-degree gap, you need to use 27% as the space.

When you use these numbers, you'll know that you are correct when you see that the cutting angle is 8 degrees for the 18-segment plate and 5.5 degrees for the 24-segment plate.

Since your membership is PRO Member (which means that you are an existing customer), you can see the link for the PRO Member Discount by clicking the link for the 'Front Page' and then click the link in the sub-menu for 'PRO Member'.

Lloyd
 
Lloyd & Murry
I was having the same problem as Murry in determining the segment length, knowing the outside diameter and the inside diameter and using the 18 segment temp let.When I clicked down on the "Project" in the main menu, I didnt get any of the choices that you mentioned. Do U have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Art
 
When I get back from a trip to Phoenix next week, I'll be posting a new upgrade to Woodturner PRO (Version 3.1 which is a free upgrade to Version 3.0.x users) and one of the changes will be that you specify the gap in degrees instead of percentage. There were a lot of changes to the software and so I'm not going to release it until I return. I've made this mistake before and had to spend much of my vacation taking support calls. :-<

Until then, just make sure that your percentage is 20% if you're using the 18-segment ring and 27% if you're using the 24-segment ring and that will equate to four degrees (with a rounding error).

The Segment Edge Length calculated by the software for the open segment rings is exactly what you should use for cutting the segments and make sure that your cutting angle is 8 degrees for the 18-segment ring and 5.5 degrees for the 24-segment ring and you'll be golden.

Lloyd
 
Programs ?

Do I have to have software ? Is there any other source to help a guy out with his first open segmented bowl from start to finish? If I have to get the software, is it fairly easy to use?
 
No, you don't have to use any software to design your projects, it just helps speed it along. Many turners don't use any software at all, they draw it out on graph paper. One advantage to an open segment project is the angles are not as critical since they don't meet. You just need to keep the gaps consistent and even. There are several sources on the internet that will introduce you to open segmenting. For myself, I find the software quick and easy to put a thought onto paper before I forget.
 
Bill Smith has a great book which explains everything you need to know about open segmented work. It was written before software for the subject became popular. I purchased it several years ago and used the info for open work before the software became available. Even if you use the software, the concepts and theory behind the design and turning techniques will serve you well. It's available on amazon.com. Segments Wood Turning, by William Smith. for $10.56 as of today. Art




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Well I took the plung and got the software. Ive gone through most of the tutorial videos. Even downloaded Sketchup. Just have to figure it all out now. Ive got a bunch of time off so I should be able to turn out a bowl or ten. Thanks Jeff for the little push. This looks like its going to be alot of fun!
 
Tom,
You might do a graphic sketch as well as the software at the same time. Believe it would speed up the learning curve and save you time in the long run. Also make sure you pick the "open segment" choice in starting the software. I learned that one the hard way.
Cheers,
Art
 
Thanks Art,
I just finished ordering the book.

Question: I've not yet found how to place different types of wood in a single ring, using WoodTurner Pro. I can paint a ring with one type of wood, but cannot change an individual segment to another type of wood (color). Any suggestions???

Another question. I'm using a Mac, with Parallels. Cannot find the location for the version of WTP. Any suggestion on where to look?

Thanks & Cheers
Art
 
Art, I'm sure Lloyd can explain this much better than I, but the short version is click on an individual segment in a ring that you want different. It should now be outlined in red. Right click that segment and a list of species should pop up. Click on what you want and that segment will be that color. In the upper right hand corner of the page is a "repeat per row" By clicking on a number here that same color will repeat that many times symmetrically around the ring.

Can't help you with the mac question.
 
Arthur Boudreau said:
Thanks Art,
I just finished ordering the book.

Question: I've not yet found how to place different types of wood in a single ring, using WoodTurner Pro. I can paint a ring with one type of wood, but cannot change an individual segment to another type of wood (color). Any suggestions???

Another question. I'm using a Mac, with Parallels. Cannot find the location for the version of WTP. Any suggestion on where to look?

Thanks & Cheers
Art
Click to expand...

Art,
In addition to what Art said, after you select one segment, you can add additional segments to your selection by either clicking shift-click or ctrl-click and these do not need to be in the same row.

With regards to your Parallels question, I'm not sure what location you're referring to. Using Parallels means that you are really using a version of Windows at that time and so the program Woodturner PRO is installed into the standard location of c:\Program Files (x86)\Woodturner PRO. It does not create its own user folder in your Documents folder, although, I've often thought that might be a good idea.

I don't think I've answered your question, though, so if you could give me a little more understanding of what you're looking for, I'll give you a better answer.

Lloyd
 
Hi again Art,

I really got a lot out of William Smith's book. I can only imagine the time and effort into developing the technique he used to do his open segment work. It makes me appreciated the work you did several years ago for turning the various objects you turned. My hats off to you.

I decided to try my hand on making a bowl, not dish, with a lid. It was quite a learning process. Instead of turning a solid bowl, I decided to do a segmented bowl with a simple design. In making the starting section of the lid, I made the mistake of turning too slow and probably a shade of too much cutting surface. In any case, the lid exploded on me. Have yet to find all the pieces. Started all over again and was able to glue the ring on the end of the segments.

The first pic shows the remainder of the lid after it flew apart. Hope the pic comes out as I'm not sure I transfered the pic from iPhoto correctly. Perhaps you could give me a tip on how you put pic in your messages.

I used the 18 seg templet for the glueing.


IMG_1661.jpg

The sec pic shows the completed project with the waste block still attached. Am quite pleased with the result as it is my first open seg. lid. Am still learning.

IMG_1700.jpg


In looking at your work with the Stomper, I noticed you used a plastic Longworth chuck. Was that of your own making or did you buy it commercially? If you made it yourself could you tell us about the material you used. I don't believe Lloyd has produced on yet.

Again I want to thank you about mentioning Smith's book. It has really helped me. Looking forward to your reply.
Cheers,
Art
 
Art,

That lid is a tough project for your first open segment project. I've done it and it is not easy. Nice job. As for the plastic Longworth chuck, Lloyd sells it on this website. I purchased it from him on his first production run. I would highly recommend it.

Art
 
Arthur Boudreau said:
Thanks Art,
I just finished ordering the book.

Question: I've not yet found how to place different types of wood in a single ring, using WoodTurner Pro. I can paint a ring with one type of wood, but cannot change an individual segment to another type of wood (color). Any suggestions???

Another question. I'm using a Mac, with Parallels. Cannot find the location for the version of WTP. Any suggestion on where to look?

Thanks & Cheers
Art
Click to expand...

Not sure what the command is for a Mac. (I use vista or XP)

Select the individual segment within a ring,
I can hold down the shift key and select multiple segments.
right click on the mouse brings up the wood species menu.
select the species you want for the selected segements.

If you are asking what version of WTP you have loaded on your PC.
in WTP, select help, about wood turnerpro. a pop up window contains the info
 
Lloyd I read the question posed by Arthur about specifying Open verses closed and your response to that as well but I seem to be having the same issue and I am using version 3.1. The Project drop down does not give me a choice to add Open or Auto Calculate the open spacing. Comments? What should I do or what am I missing?
 
John,
I might not be following your question correctly, but I will take a try at your answer.
First, add a new row by clicking on the button at the bottom of the left side of the screen.

Second, at the top of the left side above "row details" is a drop down box that you can pick "disk, flat, open segment," etc, use "open segment". The software defaults to an open space of 4 degrees and calculates the segments accordingly.

Third, if you want to change the open spacing, you need to decide if you want the spacing to be calculated by degrees or a specific distance. The top of the right side has a line "open segments are 4 degrees", change the number here to change the set degrees. Unchecking the box will allow you to enter a specific distance in the box "outside open space" that is in the left column.

Now the tricky part. The segment dimensions didn't update until I chose a different row and then came back, or I can check and uncheck the box for "open segments are 4 degrees". Perhaps this needs to be looked at by Lloyd, I think I remember this updating in real time before.

Sorry for the long explanation, I hope it helps some.
 
Jeff,

Yes, this appears to be a bug in that it should apply the change as soon as it is made. I'll get that fixed.

John,

Once you read Jeff's response, let us know if you have additional questions.
 
Lloyd Johnson said:
Jeff,

Yes, this appears to be a bug in that it should apply the change as soon as it is made. I'll get that fixed.

John,

Once you read Jeff's response, let us know if you have additional questions.
Click to expand...
Thank you Lloyd - it was my confusion and lack of knowledge of how to do Open design. I had not clicked "Open" on the disk selection drop down feature. Got it now.
 
Lloyd, I got my first open seg easy plate today in the mail. I didn't realize that Jerry offers his plates in three sizes - the one which I get from you, ie. 9 1/2 inches and his larger and smaller ones ( which of course do not have the center 3/4 inch holes). My question for you is, are there any differences in his plates compared to yours, other then the 3/4 inch hole bored in the middle to accommodate the stomper. Since you don't offer the larger 11" plate, am I able to simply order Jerry's larger plate and bore out the center myself? Or is there something I'm not seeing that would prevent me from using this on the stomper?
 
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