How do you determine how long to make the segments?

1 hour ago, PostalTom said:

How do you determine how long to make the segments?

Here's a neat calculator for segmented turning-

https://www.blocklayer.com/woodturning-segments.aspx

and another

 

http://www.woodturnersresource.com/extras/projects/segmentcalc/index.html

1 hour ago, PostalTom said:

How do you determine how long to make the segments?

I figure out how big I want the bowl. Take the diameter and multiply times pie. Then divide by the amount of segments. For example the one I am working on now is 13”. Take 13” x 3.14 is 40.82”. Divide that by 18 pieces and you get 2.267. So I made the long end 2.25”. I found it works best for me to make the changes 1/4”. So the top row will be 2.25”, the next row 2”, the next row 1.75” and so on. That is what works for me but I am still very new at this.

On 3/16/2021 at 3:48 PM, RustyFN said:

This is how I cut my segments.

Beautiful bowl!  Could you also cut the segments on a miter saw with stop blocks?

1 hour ago, JimM said:

Beautiful bowl!  Could you also cut the segments on a miter saw with stop blocks?

Thanks. Yes I actually did that with my first one. The only problem was the blade would catch the cut piece on the way back up. I had to let the blade stop before I could raise it back up.

20 minutes ago, RustyFN said:

Thanks. Yes I actually did that with my first one. The only problem was the blade would catch the cut piece on the way back up. I had to let the blade stop before I could raise it back up.

I have to do the same thing frequently too.  Does the table saw ever kick the small segments back?  Those small pieces look like they bring the digits pretty close to the blade if I'm understanding it correctly

1 hour ago, JimM said:

I have to do the same thing frequently too.  Does the table saw ever kick the small segments back?  Those small pieces look like they bring the digits pretty close to the blade if I'm understanding it correctly

No I have never had one kick back. I can cut 10 pieces and then turn the saw off to clear them. My fingers never get close to the turning blade.

There is a sled that can be made to cut perfect segments of different numbers without massing with the angles.  Their "Wedgies" are cut perfect and are used to set the sled.  Here is a link to the site.  Take some time and watch the videos and explore.  Others have reported the wedgies work very well.

 

https://www.segeasy.com/

 

 

 

Edited March 20, 20215 yr by HandyDan

There is a company that makes a very nice set of machined aluminum jigs for a miter bar that automatically sets the angle for the number of segments. They make one for both standard and SS miter slots. I’m not home so I can’t post a picture but later today I will be over at my sons shop and he has one for the SS. Very handy device. 
Paul

A bare bones sled can also be made with a 30-60-90 drafting triangle from the hobby store giving you 12 segments using the 30° and 6 segments using the 60°.  45° would give you 8 segments.

 

https://www.segeasy.com/wedgies.htm

 

 

4 hours ago, Masonsailor said:

There is a company that makes a very nice set of machined aluminum jigs for a miter bar that automatically sets the angle for the number of segments. They make one for both standard and SS miter slots. I’m not home so I can’t post a picture but later today I will be over at my sons shop and he has one for the SS. Very handy device. 

Paul, is this the one you are thinking about?

https://www.rockler.com/rockler-perfect-miter-setup-blocks

I have this set, but I haven't tried it out yet.  

Edited March 20, 20215 yr by PostalTom
Added a thought.

No this is it. They make a set for SS and for standard miter slot. 
https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/miterset.htm

Paul

Here’s a better link. 
https://miterset.myshopify.com

Paul

I think someone here has one of those. Maybe they’ll chime in 

 

I have a set and use them all the time. Very accurate. It’s a big time saver. The standard ( non segmented ring) version is nice for setting odd angles. You can adjust it in 1/2 degree increments.