Turnings 101 - What do you think?

Re: Turnings 101 - What do you think?

Chuck Ludwigsen

>Ron,

There is quite a bit to consider there. So it will take some time to digest it and comment fully. I'll post again when I have.

But the short analysis is this... If my first 6 months of turning (or even my LATEST 6 months) looked anything like those pieces you posted, then I would have quit my day job programming applications and would be turning for profit.

Not saying you should quit your job, just that you do some great work.

Chuck in Memphis, TN.

Re: Turnings 101 - What do you think?

Rick R, So Cal

>Ron,

First of all, thank you for posting your pieces for others like me to see and learn from. I have been turning for several years and I struggle with design decisions with every piece, so I will try to comment on your pieces as if I were doing them, and see if I'm on the right track compared to what the masters on this forum would say. I am not an expert at all, but one who is trying to learn good design. Secondly, I am impressed at what you have done in such a short time turning. Congratulations on turning out so much great stuff!

So I will bare my soul with my comments-

Bowl #1: 9.5" x 3" and 1/2" thick

The foot could be a bit smaller, and I would make it shorter to improve the overall proportions. I would also opt for a sharp transition at the foot. The curve near the top appears to stop suddenly. I would make it curve in a bit to have a softer ending.

Bowl #2: 6"x 2.5" 1/4" thick

The curve seems to straighten out toward the base, making it appear one with the table. I would curve it in more towards the bottom, making the foot smaller to improve the proportions and give it lift at the same time.

Bowl #3: 6" x 3.5" 3/8" thick

I like the continously curving sides, how it curves inward ever so slightly near the top. The base diameter is in good proportion with the rest of the bowl. I would be proud of this one as it is.

Bowl #4: 7" x 4"x 3/8" cherry bowl

The curve flattens at the top, and the foot lacks definition. I would cut a short, distinct foot and curve the top in a little to avoid the flat spot.

Bowl #5: Cherry Candy Dish 6" wide and 3" tall

This is a difficult shape, as it tends to look like it is attached to the table (I have tried and mine don't look good). I would try this: Continue the inward curve towards the bottom (instead of straightening out), making the base smaller at the same time. Make the curve less than perpendicular where it hits the table, then chamfer the base a little to give the piece some lift.

I will skip to the vases since I don't have experience with the other shapes.

Cherry and walnut vases:

I like the proportions of the one on the right. The larger base and lower center of mass gives it a stable appearance. Now for a closer look: The curve at the belly seems to have a break in it (could be just the photo though). Going higher, I would curve it more towards the neck. The curve flattens at the neck. I would make the neck a bit thinner in order to keep the curve flowing. I would make the final outward curve at the lip a continuation of the curve at the neck, instead of a separate curve. Back to the base: I would cut some sharp features, like a fillet, cove and another fillet to give it more definition.

That's my analysis, now let's see what the real experts have to say.

Keep on turning,

Rick

Re: Turnings 101 - What do you think?

Arch

>August of what year? After my first six months, I hadn't learned how to put a spindle between centers to rough out. Of course, We didn't

have electricity (or running water) then.;)

Good going Ron, regardless of the year! Critique with questions later. Arch

Re: Turnings 101 - What do you think?

Bill Howatt

>First of all, Wow! after only 6 months!? Very nice work but you want a critique so I'll give you my opinions.

First of all I like flowing curves with smooth transitions (not that I always achieve them). Remember that in time wood tends to darken and some spectacular grain detail that "made the piece" may fade away considerably so what you are left with is a shape. A trick is look at your piece and imagine it is painted ugly flat black and then see if you still like it.

Cherry 9.5x3 Foot draws the eye from the rest of the piece - lose or blend the foot.

6x2.5 Better but noticeable break at foot

6x 3.5 Better still

7x4 Break in curve at foot creeping back

Candy dish - very nice

Lidded vessel - top could flow much better into shape of vessel, foot transition is quite smooth.

Stacked bowls - neat idea, nicely done

Candlesticks - nice but a little busy for my taste

Vases - very nice but base transitions could be less abrupt. I think I would have tried to eliminate some of the straight section below the top by gradually flaring it out to the mouth.

That is my opinion and I can say that your work is much better than mine was at the 6 mo (or maybe a year or more). Well done!

Bill

Bravo!

Jennifer@Indy.USA

>Hi Ron,

I really, really like your assorted turnings. They all have very pleasing forms, in my eye, and they all have a warm look to them. I'm glad I stopped in today to see them : )

Jennifer

More Like Woodturning 301

Rodney Jenkins

>Great stuff! You have some some well executed lines. Very prolific for such good quality.

On the 3 X 3 lidded piece, my taste would call for a more delicate lid -- the bead on the lid kind of interrupts and overpowers the nice line of the bottom. A lid that would continue the profile of the base would really top this one off. Easy enough to experiment with different shapes/species (walnut, maple, etc).

If you make changes be sure to repost.

Great work!

Re: Turnings 101 - What do you think?

Jim Pugh in Ohio

>Really nice turnings for 6 months. I will suggest some variations for your bowl tops if I may.

1. Try slanting the top surface in.

2. Try slanting the top surface out.

3. Leave it flat but put a nice blend radius on the inside and outside edges.

4. Or a combination of slant and radius.

Re: Turnings 101 - What do you think?

Ron Sardo from PA

>Bowl 1 - I have to agree with you about it's base being to tall. I see what you mean about the sharp transition, I alsway prefered smooth curves. I think I'm going to shorten the base and see how it looks.

Bowl 2 - "One WIth The Table" That is exactly what I was hoping to accomplish. In life this bowl looks delicate but with it's base makes it look sturdy

Bowl 3 - Yes this bowl is my favorite so far. My wife now wants everything I do now to have a high gloss because of this bowl. I think I'll still play around with different finishes.

Bowl 4 - I don't care for the base or the finish on this one. I droped this bowl and put a small crack in it. I epoxyed it and I thought maybe I'd carve it and do a Andi Wlofe thing to it. Right now it's a change bowl.

Bowl 5 - When this bowl sits on the table it looks very low. The reason I cut a larger base was I planed to have a high pile of wraped chocolates in it for the holidays. I was worryed a norrow base would tip over. This is a shape a played with allot and plan on refining even more as I gain more experience.

Vases - I have a dozen failed attemps on this shape. The one on the right does have a nice flowing curve. The photo flattens the neck a bit. I think if I made the base lower it would look better. The neck at it's thinest spot is about 1/16" thick. Since I have a glass vial inside there isn't much room for a thinner neck. I tried that once and lost the top. I reshaped it and made a tiny bottle out of it. My daughter thinks it's cute and took ownership of it. As for the one on the right I think the "bulb" part is a bit fat.

Re: Turnings 101 - What do you think?

Ron Sardo from PA

>Yes August 2003 - I took a one day course with Bill G. and have to thank him for being such a great teacher.

Re: Turnings 101 - What do you think?

Ron Sardo from PA

>Thank you Bill.

I have to agree with you on the first bowl, it's been bugging me to change it.

The lid on the vessel is a bit akward and was really made for the "stacked bowl" box. In truth it look pretty ugly without a lid. I'll have to play around with a better lid.

Re: Turnings 101 - What do you think?

Ron Sardo from PA

>Thanks - I'll give it a try.

Re: Turnings 101 - What do you think?

Eduardo Sarmiento Hall-Lima Peru

>HET this are nice pieces just try no to make them look heavy try to make the beads thinner it will look much better also the bowls are ok if they are for use dayly for show bowls make them thinner and the base at most 2" get a plate of that size most of the plates I use are 2" you can play with the shape a lt more chage the usual shape of bowls try more shapes you should look at some pages in the web like laymar.com links/woodturners you will get a lot of ideas whats going on out there ED

Excellent Ron

Jim Shaver Oakville, Ont

>Hi Ron,

What a pleasing group of turnings to look at...I think I like the beehive box the best.

Many of your forms are really good for a new turner.

I think that as time goes on you'll find where you want to go with your shapes and designs, I'm not one yet for being able to judge turnings, but the other day Jennifer quoted her friend betty and said, give them away so that you can continue to grow in your mind and design choices, something about looking at them hold back your abilityto expand your thoughts...ah yes, my turning Thoughts..

I find that as exciting as furniture design is for me, turning brings a limitless offer of oppertunity and art....I love seeing new work from new turners, I love seeing work from the established well seasoned turners as well, they for me all offer inspiration and energy that help me when I take a turn at my lathe too.

Keep us informed and keep posting your work, like others who do so, you have no idea how the postings here help us all.

take care,

Jim

Re: Turnings 101 - What do you think?

Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA

>Hi Ron

It looks like you have been busy at the lathe! As others have said, you are doing some very nice work considering how long you have been at it.

First the cherry bowl you started when you were here - I am glad to see that it survived the drying process, and you did a great job on the upper curve. I would cut the foot in half heightwise. Still, a very nice piece. I should note that I refuse to take any blame for you having to get a bigger lathe though, even if it turns out to be a Poolewood! ;-)

6" x 2.5" bowl - this is one of my favorite shapes. I really like the subtle curve of the piece, and the volume it defines. Good job.

6" x 3.5" bowl - this bowl has a great beginning, but flattens out a bit towards the top. This is a good bowl. It would have been a superb bowl if the curve had continued just a bit further so that it came back in to make the top just a bit narrower.

7" x 4" - again, a bit of a flat spot towards the top. I like to see an outward flowing shape on bowls with an ogee for the foot, but that is just my personal preference.

Candy dish - Lisa (SWMBO) really liked this one, especially the beading detail at the base. I thought the base was a bit large for the bowl overall, and I would like to see the top of the curve not flatten out so much towards the top, but overall a very good effort. After all, the important thing is, how much candy will it hold? ;-)

Purpleheart lidded form - I think if you could have continued the curve from the top on down to the bottom instead of recurving it, it would have a little more lift to it - still, it is an attractive piece.

Beehive - this one has a very straight form to it. Even with all the beads, it is very angular overall. I think if you had made the base convex instead of concave, the overall form would have looked a bit better.

I like the candlesticks. You did a very good job with the beading, and they are very close in shape and size, so much so that no one will notice any small differences (if there are any!).

The vases have a nice shape overall, but if it were me turning them, I would make the shape transition match the species transition. I think it will give you a cleaner looking piece.

Overall, Ron, you have done a very nice job on all these pieces. While we have given you some bits of criticism to help you improve (from our own subjective perspective), that should in no way detract from the fact that you have accomplished quite a bit in a very short period of time, and that you seem to have a natural flair for shape. Keep up the good work, and we will all look forward to seeing what comes in the future.

Bill

Response and question

Ron Sardo in PA

>It seem a general consensus that I make the foot on bowl #1 shorter. What do you think if I turned the base into a bead instead - to much?

On bowl #3 - there is a gentle curve at the top. It curves in about 5/16" from the widest part. Unfortunately it doesn't show well in the photo. I'm thinking of retaking the pic with a straight edge next the the bowl.

Candy dish - this dish held about 2.5 times it's height in chocolate, about a 1-1/2lbs - still not enough! I'm hoping I'll have one that will hold at least 5 lb by the holidays.

Candle stick - you're right, I'm the only one who notices that the beads on the right one are slimmer then the one on the left. In my eye it sticks out like a sore thumb.

Vases: I'm not sure I understand when you say "I would make the shape transition match the species transition."

Thank you Bill for taking the time for your valued input and you compliments.

Re: Turnings 101 - What do you think?

Bob Hackett

>Just one small addition to the other comments.On the first few bowls the rims seem to be dead flat.My personal preference is to make them slightly convex or occasionally concave.I also tend to angle them slightly from horizontal.Think of the rim as a detail,one that defines the line between the interior and exterior of the piece.Give it the same attention you would the overall shape of the piece.

Your forms are exceptional for someone who`s been turning less than a year.I`d say your eye for a fair line is way above average.Have you been hanging around with Mike Schwing?Maybe it`s time to put that eye to adding some other details like textured or carved areas.I look forward to seeing what comes next.

Mainely,Bob

Re: Response and question

Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA

>Hi Ron

What I meant in my species transition matching shape transition is this. The vases are made of two different species, cherry and walnut. You have a fairly sharp transition in the shape of the cherry with a small bit of flare just before the wood transitions to walnut. I would have made them both transition at the same point - i.e. continue the curve on the cherry in and stop it at the walnut where it is narrow instead of flaring it back out and then joining the walnut.

I don't know if this is making any sense. If not let me know, and I will try again. ;-)

Bill

You mean like this?

Ron Sardo from PA

>

There is more of a smooth curve on the neck and base then this photo shows.

Cherry & Ebony. Finished with Shellac and Varnish