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recommendations on open-segment plate sizes to start off with

C

Craig Allen

Guest
As much as I would love to buy one of each open-segment plates available, I don't have the cash. Any suggestions on one or two plates that I should start with to get some good results with? (There is a bit of a curve learning this new hobbie, but I am anxious to learn. I have the software and a stomper setup, but would like to have the plate(s) ready to use. I have also purchased the pack of closed wedges that are listed listed on Jerry's site -12, 14 etc.).
 
- The process is the same no matter what the number of segments are.
- The more segments per ring, the more detailed patterns you can create.
So it all comes down to design patterns.

If you have built closed segment vessels what was the number of segments you were comfortable working with?
 
Sorry for being so dumb, I am sure “small” can produce amazing things. I just bought set #1 from Jerry. I think they are 16, 24, 32 & 48 closed wedgies. So, if you were starting out, can you suggest a starting point? I will then have one or two to start plugging into the software. Thank you
 
I guess I am thinking of making a closed vessel to begin with with just one or two open segments as a feature ring. I would then like to make an all open vessel of some kind.
 
Sorry for being so dumb, I am sure “small” can produce amazing things. I just bought set #1 from Jerry. I think they are 16, 24, 32 & 48 closed wedgies. So, if you were starting out, can you suggest a starting point? I will then have one or two to start plugging into the software. Thank you

16 segments.
- more glue surface area.
- when gluing the open segments in place be careful with your gluing. Any excess glue that squeezes out needs to be cleaned up so as to impact the finish.

I like your idea of a closed segment with a couple of open segment for the featured ring. One advantage is the solid ring that sits on top of the open segment would help secure the segment pieces.
 
I like the 16 and the 18 segment plates but for different reasons.

If you’re going to make a tornado pattern, there isn’t much difference between the two but you can build the 16-segment vessel more quickly so if I’m making Christmas gifts, I use the 16 plate as it saves time and effort.

I like the 18 segment disk because I can divide 18 by 3 to get three repeats of 6 segments or by 2 to get 2 repeats of 9 segments. Both of these are better than what you can do with the 16.
 
The 16 segment plate can result in:
16 segment disk divided by 4 gives you 4 repeats of 4 segments.(basically 90 degrees of each other).

All depends on the patterns you are wanting to build.
 
These are great ideas, thank you. I have purchased a 16 as well as an 18.
 
I live in Europe, so these disks are a bit expensive to buy for me. (Shipping!)
now i have been thinking for a alternative that i can make myself without a cnc machine.
My first try was a disk like Tom Lohman sells at his website.
That works well enough, but not that accurate, within 0.5 mm i can work now. (on a disk 495 mm in diameter)
That is all ok for closed rings, not for open segments, i tried that also but not satisfied at all with the results.
The segments i cut on a tablesaw are not consistent i noticed. With a stopblock that can be set at any width there are differences of 0.5 mm.
I took a good look at the sliding table and readjusted all bearings. Took 1 hour or so. Now the differences are within 0.1 mm. AHA!!!

For the next bowl i tested cutting segments 5 mm thick stock. 4.2 mm segments in a 72 pieces ring.

Looks good!

If this works om the vase i'm building, 68 or 69 rows then i try a open segmented "thing"
 
I pondered this for a while and decided to start with 18 for open segment. I have been using 24 for closed segment. I don't have great logic to support my choice but it felt right somehow and it looks OK.
 
I'm working on a 72 pieces per ring vase ( row 41 is glued on).
My tablesaw is from 1946 ( combination machine) and the sled is not that accurate.
I tested 8 glued together wood pieces. then taped with a painterstape to keep the pieces from flying around.
So i cut 8 pieces in 1 go. I measured 200+ pieces with a caliper and the difference between the largest and smalest piece was 0.31 mm.
That is too much i guess. I also measured the difference between the pieces in the row. Bottom pieces 0.11 mm difference.
So next time i'll glue up 3 or 4 pieces of wood. But that is for the next bowl.
 
I pondered this for a while and decided to start with 18 for open segment. I have been using 24 for closed segment. I don't have great logic to support my choice but it felt right somehow and it looks OK.
I appreciate your advice. On your suggestion, I am going to try to make a few 24 closed segmented bowls for Christmas.
Thanks
 
All good advice. Another great source is Earl’s Segment videos on YouTube. He does both open and closed segment videos.
 
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