Segmented Questions

[Steve Mellott]

I'd like to turn a segmented vase but have several questions.

What material do you typically use for the bottom? It seems that a piece of veneered plywood might be best to prevent expansion and contraction, but I don't know if this is necessary.

How do you attach the bottom? Do you glue it into a recess or do you use some process so it will float? Once again, I'm not sure if I have to be concerned about expansion and contraction.

Finally, how thin do you normally turn a segmented vessel? Do you leave it a little thicker than a regular solid vessel?

I suspect these are fairly basic questions, but I've never turned a segmented vase before. Thanks.

Steve

[Bill Bukovec]

Malcolm Tibbetts can show you how he does it.

http://www.tahoeturner.com/instructions/pdf/floating_base.pdf

Bill

[Larry Marley]

Hi Steve,
I would use a single solid piece if the bottom is less than 3" in diameter. Just make sure the wood has acclimated to ambient moister content. for floating bottoms, I use a method similar to Malcolm's. I just assemble to half rings and mount them to a faceplate with turners tape and cut a groove to accept a floating base. Apply finish to the floating base before installing it into the ring. I use a couple drops of titebond on the center of the end grain of the floating base to prevent rattle, this will still allow it to expand cross grain. See pics.
Larry
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[Robert McGowen]

I do the bottoms using the method that Tibbett's describes. That is just a personal choice, as the method that Larry shows above is great also.
As far as the thickness, I don't think that you need to go thicker because it is segmented. If anything, I think that the thinner the wall is, the less that the piece will be effected by wood movement. YMMV

[Michelle Rich]

If you use ply for a large bottom, the wood on top expands and contracts, so you have achieved nothing! use solid to about 4 inches. Use floating after that. The thinner the stacked sides the less they will expand & contract...tho my guess is that generally segmented are ususally thicker. Get 2 books: Malcolm Tibbets, and The Ray Allen..they will have answers to these and many many more questions

[Steve Mellott]

Thanks very much for the information.

Steve