My latest segmented turning.

[Bill Wyko]

Hi all, I mentioned a while back that I had to do some flat work on a humidor. Well, the lathe was staring me down, aching me on, taunting me with it's heavy metal approach. I finally had to give in. (The finish was drying on the humi anyway.) About 1/2 way through this turning the motor on my lathe started to seize up. It was squealing like a pig. Next thing you know, an opportunity came up that was almost too good to be true. One of my friends had bought a lathe exactly like mine. It was still new in the box. Turns out he needed a remote start car alarm more than the lathe. Needless to say we made the trade. Got the lathe functional again and turned this. It's made of Shedua, Mahogany, Bocote, Maple & Gabon Ebony. It has 593 pieces. It stands about 8 inches tall and is a scary 3/32" thick all the way to the bottom. I left the Ebony base about 1/4" thick to give it a lower center of gravity. It weighs in at a whopping 10.2 ounces.


Forgot to mention, this pattern is in memory of Ray Allen. If you don't know who he is, google Ray Allen wood turner. Probably one of the finest segmenters to have ever lived. I met him in 1998. He opened the back door of his van to reveal a segmented turning almost 3 feet x 3 feet and over 7000 pieces. It was so out of my ability to comprehend that I just admired it with no idea of how it was done. He passed away in 2000 I believe but his work will live on for centuries. RIP Ray, God Bless.

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/23952785/399688888.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/23952785/399688884.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/23952785/399688881.jpg

[Russell Eaton]

Bill I think that is a incredible tribute to "THE MAN" Ray. I have a book of his and what he was able to accomplish is truly incredible. Your piece is well beyond what I am capable of with the tools that I currently have. I admire your skill. Thanks for showing.

[John Keeton]

Bill, you do incredible work!! Simply incredible!

[gary Zimmel]

Pretty much one word, wow....
Thanks for the look see Bill.

[Alan Trout]

Bill,

Your stuff is always nice. Very well done.

Alan

[Lori Kleinberg]

Very nice piece, Bill. Thanks for sharing.

[Scott Hackler]

Awesome work Bill. I love all small little details.

[Curt Fuller]

Bill, your workmanship and design are just beautiful. But what really puts this one over the top for me is your choice of woods. Just absolutely beautiful.

[Bill Wyko]

Thanks everyone. The Shedua was a real score. The figure didn't show as much I expected it to but its color was such a warm look. The darts coming down from the top was my first attempt at this. I still have a couple humidors to do but the lathe keeps calling me back.:D Just got a Oneway Vacuum chuck too so you know I'll be back on the lathe very soon to take it for a test drive.

[Baxter Smith]

Very pretty wood and design Bill!

[charlie knighton]

amen........

[Roland Martin]

Absolutely gorgeous Bill. No question Ray's looking down with a big smile.

[Ryan Baker]

I agree. I think Ray would be very proud of that piece, Bill. Top-notch segmenting and a showcase for some beautiful wood!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Beautiful Bill. Ray would be proud of it and you.

[Joe Watson]

wow, all them pieces and the alignment looks perfect !

[Bill Wyko]

You guys are too kind, thank you. Segmenting is a real blast I must say. When your tool is cutting a continuous long grain, the ribbon seems to go on for miles off the tool tip. That is turners paradise.

[Michael Short]

Stellar work as usual. Thanks for sharing.

[Jim Burr]

Those darts on the rim you mentioned really caught my eye which is hard because my wife is sitting next to me! Always perfect joints and amazing finish! Well done my friend!