Critique on Latest Turning

Re: Critique on Latest Turning

adrien

>looks great. How's it feel? Ferrule is neat. Wood fantastic.

Re: Critique on Latest Turning

John Lucas

>Bill

Very nice. I love the choice of wood. I used to make ice picks until I found out that everyone has an icemaker in thier fridge.

Just for the sake of argument and to answer your critic. You have 2 seperate arc's. One arc is created by the upper portion and the other is an imaginary arc created by the cove on the bottom portion. Trace this line out and it forms an arc that is slighlty larger than top ball portion.

I spend a lot of time looking at antiques with turnings. In the nicer looking ones the curve of the cove flows into the the curve of the upper portion if you imagine it going right through your raised detail. That way your eye flows from the top all the way to the ferrule interupted only by the raised detail.

Just something to look at. Only us turners and maybe art critics would look at something like that. Everyone else would think it looks absolutely great. Have fun and continue the good work.

Re: Critique on Latest Turning

William R. Duffield, on the Cohansey

>It handles a lot better than the one it replaces. The flare of the concave curve nearest to the ferrule keeps it from slipping out of my fingers, and the large diameter but short bulb makes it very maneuverable, which is an advantage for tracing around various shapes. For my large hands, it would probably work a little better if the bulb were 3/8" or 1/2" longer, but I think most people would be satisfied with the current size and shape.

However, it is a handle that is optimized for very delicate work, and would be inappropriate for a carving gouge, or chisel, or turning tool. For all those purposes, where a firm grip and leverage are important, it is much too short, and the diameter is too large for a strong grip. Also, the sharp apexes where the curves intersect would be a bit uncomfortable for any work for which a strong grip were required.

function over form??

Tom Sweeney - Coatesville PA

>John,

Wouldn't this be a case were the "proper" form would not allow the item to function for the job it was designed for? If I did it right then drawing the arc on the bottom to match the one on the top would mean the awl would have to be either a bit shorter or quite a bit wider at the top, as I think you want a nice strong base for the ferrule. Either of these options would render the tool, especially an awl, uncomfortable at best. If we are not turning something purely for arts sake isn't it as, if not more, important to put a priority on function while making it as good looking as possible.

As a newbie - I find these discussions very informative -even though I'm still working on technique over either form or function at this point.

BTW - beautiful wood & grain orientation - I like it

Thanks

Re: Critique on Latest Turning *ANOTHER PIC*

William R. Duffield, on the Cohansey

>I'm not sure I understand which way you think I should modify the curves, but I agree that it doesn't flow as smoothly as it should.

There are two problems with discussing the details: perspective and visualization of concepts. Let's see if this helps.

First, I took a picture straight on, so we can see the curves. Second, I fit a pair of Bezier curves, in red, to the existing profile. This shows that they do indeed fight with each other. Third, I extended and modified the major curve to take the ferrule into account, in yellow. Fourth, I modified the minor curve, in black, to one that I think flows better. There are others that would work. Is this what you had in mind?

Note also that the enclosing rectangle is not proportioned according to the "golden ratio." At 1:1.46, it is too fat. Lengthening the major curve a little would make it better, both visually and functionally. Further analysis, and adjustments, could also be done on the relationships between the major and minor curves, and even between the wood and the ferrule.

Still, I think I got pretty close, considering I turned the whole thing by eye, without drawing any curves or measuring or laying anything out beforehand.

Re: Critique on Latest Turning *ANOTHER PIC*

John Lucas

>Wish Ihad your skills at the computer. Your drawing is a perfect example. You have 2 seperate curves. If you make the cove just a hair deeper or change the shape very slightly the two curves would merge. You have to visualize an imaginary line that flows from one curve to the other through the raised detail.

A better example to visualize is a straight leg with a raised bead. If the straight part doesn't continue on the other side of the bead as though the bead wasn't there the piece looks odd.

I noticed on the antiques that a convex curve would flow directly into a concave curve if you took away whatever detail was inbetween the two.

This is harder to visualize on a curved surface such as yours than on a leg with a bead.

Mike Darlow's book Woodturning design covers this excellently (although the first half of the book is very hard to read) In the second half he has turned examples of exactly what I'm talking about and it's very easy to see the difference.

If I have time today I'll try to turn one and do a photo. Photography I can do, computers fight me.

Re: Critique on Latest Turning

George Van

>Thanks for the critique request Bill.

As a beginner I learn more about design from your comments and that of others than I can by looking at a picture.

George

Re: Critique on Latest Turning

Don Orr

>First of all, nice wood, nice shape, nice job!

Next, thanks for opening an interesting discussion. I'm learning so much from you all.

Lastly, thanks VERY much for the incredible graphic illustration of the concepts discussed. A picture truly is worth a thousand words!

Happy and Safe Turning, Don

Re: Critique on Latest Turning

Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA

>Hi William

I'm getting here a bit late, but that gives me opportunity to rad what has already been written. I think your drawing with the curves is even more impressive than your tool handle. In looking at those curves, I can see where the piece could be tweaked just that last little bit by making the convex curve on the top just a hair tighter to conform with the cove, which from my perspective is great. Overall I think the execution is very good, and make sure you bring it for the picnic. We will have lots of ice to chip!

Bill

Re: picnic

William R. Duffield, on the Cohansey

>Sure, I will bring it, and whatever other turned tools I've made that I think people might find interesting.

Answering your message on my previous tool post, do you want me to bring a blank of cocobolo so we can demonstrate turning a carving mallet? I'm a bit concerned that, with that many people there, we might find that someone who is allergic to it. Maybe I should just prepare a blank of hard maple or something else innocuous?