Designing Segmented Turning Projects with Bob Grinstead

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To design for a segmented turning:

Graph drawing of a vase segments

  • Draw the form for your turning on graph paper
  • Decide on the number of layers of rings to be used.
  • Determine the width of the segment by the drawing
  • Determine the thickness of the segment by your drawing
  • Decide on the number of segments per ring.
  • Use the formulas below to determine the shape of the segments and splines for each layer

Closed Ring Segment Formulas

Segment Dimensions

  • The length of segment formula = ((R*2*3.14)/S)*1.024
    • R = radius to outside edge of turning
    • S = number of segments per ring
    • 1.024 = fudge factor
  • Angle of end cut = (180 / N# of seg.)

Example=: 4” radius ring, 18 segments per ring

  • length = ((4*2*3.14)/18)*1.024 = 1.429”
  • angle = 180/18 = 10 degrees

Open Segment Ring Formula

  • The length of segment formula = 70% of the closed segment length or ((R*2*3.14)/S)*1.024 *0.7
    • R = radius to outside edge of turning
    • S = number of segments per ring
    • 1.024 = fudge factor
    • Segments for an open segment turning should be between 66% and 70% of closed cut size. (The formula above would be used for a segment with 70% segment.)
  • Angle of end cut = (180 / N# of seg.) * 0.7
    (The above formula is for a 70% segment)
    Segments Closed Cut Angles 70% of Cut Angle 66% of Cut Angle
    6 30
    8 22.5
    10 18 12.6 11.9
    12 15 10.5 9.9
    15 12 8.4 7.9
    14 12.86 9.0 8.5
    16 11.25 7.9 7.4
    18 10 7.0 6.6
    20 9 6.3 5.9
    24 7.5 5.3 5.0
    26 6.92 4.8 4.6
    28 6.43 4.5 4.2