Turning Segmented Vase – Heirloom Sycamore
by Alan Stratton on Friday, November 17th, 2023 | 4 Comments
Please view this video here on this page. However, in case of gremlin uprising, it is also posted on YouTube and FaceBook.
This 4 x 8 inch vase is for a lady whose tree provided the wood.
It is segmented sycamore with 8 segments per ring and 22 rings or 172 segments. It is finished with wipe on poly. The base is three layers of sycamore to prevent expansion cracks.
The wood was difficult to process as it came from short trunk segments that was partially dry.
Some newer viewer may wonder why I insist on wearing a face shield for safety. Please check out this video:
Woodturning Disaster
Enjoy.
Perfect timing Alan! We cut down the birch tree in our front yard a few years ago, and I’ve had some of the logs sealed and drying ever since. I think the birch wood would make a nice vase, similar to this one you have done. Birch grain isn’t very dramatic, so I think I will include a thin ring of walnut somewhere near the top. I do like that low-sheen poly finish that you used.
Sounds like a great plan
Alan
Nice vase Alan and good resume of all the techniques to make it. I often make segmented pieces using short lengths of timber, usually offcuts. I have found that if you cut the ends of the short lengths square I can glue them together end to end to make a long strip that will go through the Proxxon thicknesser. The joints are just strong enough. Segments with joins can be ditched. This way all the segments for that layer are exactly the same thickness.
Peter in the UK
That is a great idea.
Alan