new piece

Re: new piece

John F.

>Beautiful, how you do that willis?

Re: new piece

John Lucas

>Keith

I love it. Actually I love both of them. The photos are much better as well. I've looked at the small one a dozen times trying to figure out what bothers me. Mostly I love it but something just didn't feel totally right. I think it might be the way the wood is tucked into the ebony. Of course I can't see it all in the photo. I like the way it sort of comes out of the wood. It reminds me of the way a magician pulls a cloth out of his fist. I think that's what I would like to see. You have such a fluid movement in the top. it would be interesting to see if it's possible to carry this through the bottom. Don't know if that's possible but just a though.

Please take this in the light it's meant. I critic my own work by always asking what could I do to change it. Keep up the good work it's fascinating and original.

Re: new piece

Keith Tompkins

>Hi John, yes, it is possible to continue the twist right through the base.........infact, I had one just about finished. I place a glue-block at the top, in the middle of the "s", in order to turn the base and the bottom. (for the spur-center)

The last step is to bandsaw off the glue-block, and shape and sand the top edge.

While bandsawing the glue-block off...BANG! the whole piece exploded as the blade tried to force the glue-block down agaisnt the table. kinda like turning without the gouge on the rest first!

I always try to anticipate a problem like that...No fingers near the blade!

New one already started!

Re: new piece

John Lucas

>Keith

I use the free hand bandsaw technique quite a lot even though I know I shouldn't. I keep my hands well out of way. Your new pieces are going to be a hit with all who see them.

Re: new piece

RevDoug

>Dog-gone Keith, I still can't get how you do these things. Everyone had said how great they thought the last piece you shared looked before I had a chance to see it, so I didn't say anything. This time I have to. This is one of the most interesting pieces I think I've ever seen. I had thought a couple of time that if I ever had the time and money for a couple of days of lessons, you would have to be on my short list. Now I'm sure you will have to be right at the top. Thanks for sharing another great piece. And if you really feel generous, you could give us a step by step process. A truely beautiful piece.

Re: new piece

Keith Tompkins

>Hi John, thanks! I'm still deciding on which is the best way to make one of these things......so far, three different ways to do the same thing.

I can tell you for now, it involves deep hollowing, multi-axis turning and some carving on the rest. An article is in the works, as soon as I can get it done. Keith

Re: new piece

Keith Tompkins

>thanks, RevDoug. Now you've got me blushing!

Seriously, everything I produce is based on the basic fundamentals of woodworking and woodturning. I try to break everything down into it's lowest common demominator, so to speak.

I take a simple idea, and expand upon it, just to see how far I can push the idea. Sometimes I work backwards, taking a complex idea or design, and mentally disassemble it until I arrive back at the starting point.

When you see how these spiral pieces are done, you will be surprised at their simplicity. I'm working on the article already to show the process. As for lessons, any time, my pleasure! Keith

Can't wait for the article! and some questions

Dominic Greco in Richboro PA

>Keith,

Very very cool. You can almost feel the motion. I like the compassion of this piece to a silk handkerchief being pulled out of a magician's hand. That's what it reminds me of.

I've read the other posts in this thread and saw you're writing an article about this. I really can't wait to see how you do this.

I saw you mentioned carving as one of the processes in forming this piece. I have long been a fan of this technique and was wondering what kind of tools you'd need as well as what books you'd recommend. I have a very basic palm carving set that I bought from a retired woodworker. But as for other carving gouges, nothing. I've also gone shopping for books, but seem to find more on carving architectural moldings, and engraving letters than adding enhancements to bowls and hollow forms. Any thoughts on this?

See ya around,

Dominic

Re: Can't wait for the article! and some questions

Don O.

>Another stunning piece! Outstanding as always. I envy how your mind works to be able to see all this in your head and then get the rest of your body and machines to bring it to life. This one certainly has "life" It seems as if it is in constant motion, like blowing in a breeze.

Looking forward to the article also!

Sorry to hear you won't make the bus trip this weekend-family definitely comes first.

Take care and see you soon, Don

Re: new piece

David Eaves

>Awesome Keith, the wood really suits this shape. The pieces in this series are quite inspirational. I look forward to seeing your "How to" arcticle.

Thanks for posting

David

Re: new piece

Dale Stansbery

>Keith,

I have blocks of fairly rigid closed cell foam that I band saw into shape to use for packing odd shaped things that I ship. I wonder if you couldn't use something like that to support the block when you cut it off. The foam block would offer considerable support but little resistance to the cutting.

Until I see your how to article, I'm thinking it's a digital creation :-). Actually I love your creativity and the resultant pieces.

Re: new piece

Dale Stansbery

>How about a top down photo? That may help unlock this optical quagmire you have my mind trapped in!

Re: new piece

Keith Tompkins

>Hi Dale, on the last one I supported the waste block with a piece of wood. One the one that blew up, the piece was sitting on the bandsaw table, but the waste block was suspended.( in case anyone thinks I was holding the whole assembly off the table) The foam would work as well.

I can assure you, the pieces are NOT digitally altered! thanks,Keith

Re: Can't wait for the article! and some questions

Keith Tompkins

>Hi Dom, thanks for your kind comments. Yes, I'm trying to give a sense of motion to my work, even while standing still. My suspended pieces appear ready to leap at any moment, I'm trying to create a feeling of anticipation. I try to create dynamic forms, even the simplest bowl form can create a feeling of lift or a sense of volume.

I am fortunate in that I did some carving in my furniture work, and I can apply that experience to my turnings. You may have discovered the need for a book written with carving for the woodturner in mind.

I have two sets of carving chisels, a Marples set, and a vintage set from an old cabinet shop. I turned a carver's mallet rather than buying one. A book I like is "Fine furniture for the amateur craftsman" by A.W. Marlow. It covers a lot of furniture carving.

I'm not against power carving, in fact I would like to purchase some equipment for that, just to save some time. Hope this helps, Keith

HI Don

Keith Tompkins

>My daughter is going to college in Boston; We have to take her up for meetings on saturday, so I can't attend the bus trip.

It's true, you never know what kind of piece I'll come up with next....unfortunately, neither do I! ha ha . enjoy the L.I. show, Later, Keith