New Vase Design

[handibunny]

I've been working on a way to reliably get ovals on the center ring of a vase, without getting "jaggies, and think I'm finally on the right track. I've been through more attempts than I'd care to mention.

This project is far from finished, but I thought you might like to see how much of the shaping depends on sanding, so I grabbed quick shots before and after. I'm going to do a little more with the base, maybe another piece of yellowheart, and contour the top lip more, then I can do a final shaping and sanding before applying spray lacquer.

I have another lamination gluing up, for a similar vase. I try to keep more than one project going, since you can only sand for so long . . .

[Haggard3230]

That is very pretty Carole.

[Sally]

You are an artist! It is great.

[handibunny]

Glad you like it. I think the colors should really pop out once it's sanded well and finished. By the time I reach this stage, it's really the fun part--figuring out how to make it as good as I can. Will keep you posted on my progress.

[Arcy]

Hi Carole. Interesting shaping and the ovals ended up really good. Did you sand/shape the inside before closing it up?

--Rob

[lucky788scroller]

Its looking great! NOW QUIT TEASING US UNTIL THE BOOK COMES OUT!!!!

[evilbadger]

Carole

Looks great. What types of wood are you using?

Tim

[Rolf]

You need a lathe! You could still do all of the cutting with the saw but the final finishing would be a snap on a wood lathe.

The end result should be beautiful.

[handibunny]

Hey, it's not teasing--it's part of my master plan to have bowl-making a serious category for scrollers. The more I do (and for political reasons I haven't posted some of the more elaborate stuff I've been messing around with) the more I'm convinced that this is a great art form, allowing scrollers to do work that goes beyond what can be turned on a lathe. The aim of my book--seriously--is to provide techniques and patterns that will let anyone with average skills to turn out really special work, at a fraction of the cost and time needed for lathe tuned or carved bowls. (I first started using the scroll saw Spring, 2006, which shows how accessible this stuff is.)

The wood of this project is sapale (a flooring wood) and yellowheart, with bloodwood for the ovals. I did sand the inside, which is optional, since it doesn't show, but as I move on to more advanced projects, I'm trying to raise the bar on what I can do. I am impressed by how turners use fiber optics to gauge the thickness of walls. I use fingers--I'm a low tech person all the way, but thin is definitely more elgant than thick.

I used a pattern from my book for the center ring, using a new approach to get the ovals. As I work, I keep notes, so I can use any project for future articles, or just to explain how something's done.

Today is "shop clean up day" so I won't be able to work, but as soon as I can, I'll get it finished and post it.

Thanks for the feedback.

[handibunny]

PS--just saw Rolf's post. Yes, you can use a lathe for rounded vessels like this one, and there are several older lathe books that mention the stacked ring technique--if you're interested I can give you the titles or bring the books to the LI Woodworking show. But what about other shapes? Can you use a lathe for this? (see photo). It's something I "threw together" from blanks left over after I did the video at Fox Chapel (should be on the website when the Holiday Issue is out.)