Learning about vessel proportions

[Brian Kent]

After learning today that 1/1.61803399 = .61803399 (rounded after the 8th decimal), I realized there is a whole mathematical world to learn about vessel proportions.

Thanks for getting the thoughts stirring, John!

[Brian Kent]

I was reading materials by John Keeton and The Art of Turned Bowls by Richard Raffan that talked about The Golden Ratio or the Golden Mean. I was trying to remember if you multiply the larger dimension by .618 or divide by 1.618. The answer is that they are the same thing. This is part of the wonder of the Golden Ratio.

The same math does not work with other numbers. For instance, if you multiply the larger dimension by .5 you get a different number (.50) than if you divide by 1.5 (.66…). It only works with multiplying by .618 and dividing by 1.618 (both rounded off to 3 decimals.)

[Glen Blanchard]

Brian - To keep all that math simple, I just think in terms of 1/3 vs. 2/3. For example, I try to place the widest part of my hollow forms about 2/3 of the way up the piece.

[Richard Coers]

Make a Fibanaci caliper and you don't have to calculate anything. http://www.goldennumber.net/do-it-yourself/

[Brian Kent]

And I even have some saw nuts to use as rivets.

Yes, I will basically be using the 2/3 vs 1/3, but I also love math and will be looking at this for the most excellent fun of it.

[charlie knighton]

reading materials by John Keeton and The Art of Turned Bowls by Richard Raffan

sort of put those two's thoughts in your memory......sort of like sunshine......will bring a smile

[John Keeton]

Charlie, I am humbled just to have my name mentioned in the same paragraph as Richard's!:o I appreciate your comment.