Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Foot or No Foot?
George Van
>If there is a rule or generality when a bowl or vessel should have a foot and when should it not?
Could someone steer me toward a good design book?
I think I could gain a lot by reading one or two, as I tend to think in mechanical dimensions and stick people. I have gained appreciation from suggestions on this forum to look at forms in nature.
Thanks, George
Re: Foot or No Foot?
John Lucas
>George
I think it's a personal thing. I like a foot because it adds lift to the piece. I just turned a piece without a foot (sort of an inside foot the way people turn bowls using an inside dovetail). I'm going to turn another piece just like it with a foot so I have a visual reference for what a foot actually does.
Mike Darlow's book on Woodturning Design covers this as well as a lot of other design considerations.
Re: Foot or No Foot?
Chuck Ludwigsen
>I like Richard Raffan's book Turned Bowl Design. He walks through several types of bowls and vessels and shows what works, what doesn't, and what fixes it.
There is also a picture of the bottom of a bowl with the inscription "W. Dickerman" on it ;-)
Chuck in Memphis, TN.
Re: Foot or No Foot?
George Van
>Thanks,
John,
I have Darlow�s Fundamentals of Wood Turning, I will have to put his design book on my list. I would like to see your bowl comparisons when you have the two finished if that�s possible.
Chuck,
That�s quite an honor for Wally, or maybe Raffan! I have Raffan�s tape, Turning Wood; guess I will also add his design book to my list. I�d rather read over morning coffee than watch the Today Show.
George
Re: Today Show
Chuck Ludwigsen
>I would rather go to the dentist than watch the Today Show. But thats a different story. ;-)
Happy Turning.
Chuck in Memphis, TN.
Re: Foot or No Foot?
Wally Dickerman at Green Valley, Az.
>Yeah, that book was published in the 80's. We did things differently in those days.....I have a R. Raffan platter that I got in trade for that bowl.
Wally
Re: Foot or No Foot?
Wally Dickerman at Green Valley, Az.
>George, a foot, or lack of one can be a very important part of the design and balance of a bowl or vessel. A well designed foot on certain forms will gift "lift" to the piece. On some designs, especially tall ones, the shape creates it's own foot. I believe in the "rule" that says that a foot should be no more than 1/3 the diameter of the vessel. On the other hand, some of the beautiful forms of SW Indian pots have round bottoms.
Wally
Re: Foot or No Foot?
Russ Fairfield
>It all depends on what you are making. Is it an item that will or could be used, or is it "for display only"?
If it is a salad bowl, looks like a salad bowl, or could ever be used as a salad bowl, a foot is a necessary part of the bowl for stability while it is being used. The foot can be anything from a pronounced feature to a simple flat spot that is a part of the form.
Fruit bowls, candy dishes, and other useable items will also need the stability that comes from having a foot.
If it is a popcorn bowl that will be held in your lap, the foot should be eliminated for the comfort of the user.
For everything else it is a personal choice.
Re: Foot or No Foot?
George Van
>Thanks Russ and Wally, good food for thought for the flight to Phoenix at 4am tomorrow.
I will have to hit a bookstore or supplier in Phoenix and spend some money on books, then practice, practice, and more instructions.
I enjoy it! I�m too busy thinking about what I�m doing and not hurting myself to think of anything else at the time.
Have a good evening, George
Re: Today Show
Alan Tolchinsky
>I have to strongly disagree with you. :) I just went to the dentist for a ROOT CANAL and I'd rather watch ANY show on t.v. than do that again. My head is pounding right now as I type this. Yikes! Time for more pain pills. Alan in Md.