Designing a Segmented Vessel
Introduction: Designing a Segmented Vessel
In this article, I will explain how to make a set of plans to create a segmented Vessel.
I want to thank my good friend and mentor, <PERSON> from Knox City Texas for providing the information and encouragement for this project. Items in quotation marks are taken directly from a paper written by <PERSON>.
Supplies
The only tools you will need are a pencil, an eraser, a ruler and a sheet of paper large enough to create a full scale model of what you want.
In addition I like to use a digital caliper.
Step 1: Basic Information Used in Segmented Turning
Just a couple basic terms that segmented turners use.
The length is how long the back edge of the segment is.
The Width is the board width when you start cutting.
The thickness is how thick your ring will be.
I know it is pretty basic, but it is easy to get the thickness and width mixed up.
Step 2: Getting Started
The first thing you need to do is decide what you want to make.
I suggest you start with something small.
The video link is to a YouTube video that I made covering all aspects of how I Design and Build a Segmented Vessel.
Step 3: The Initial Layout
Begin by drawing a vertical line in the center of your paper a couple inches longer than the height of your vessel.
Step 4: Setting Up You Grid
After that, draw horizontal lines to correspond with the thickness and number of layers you have in your vessel.
Step 5: Initial Sketch
Sketch the outer edge of your vessel. I am usually pretty generous with the thickness of the wall.
You can always make an eighth inch wall from a quarter inch wall, It's pretty hard to go the other way.
Step 6: Finding the Variables to Use in the Formulas
Draw vertical lines on both sides of the wall. 110
When first starting out, I suggest you add a bit extra.
Step 7: Finding the Measurements of Each Ring
You can use a ruler to measure the width of the segments in that ring. The bottom one can be skipped if you plan on using a solid piece of wood for the bottom of your vessel.
Step 8: My Way of Measuring
I prefer using decimals instead of fractions when using formulas.
To find the outside radius of your vessel (R_out), measure from the center line to the outer line of the drawing.
To find the inside radius, (R_in) measure from the center line to the inner line of the drawing.
Step 9: The Variables That I Use in the Formulas
(R_in) = Inside Radius of the ring.
(R_out) = Outside Radius of the ring.
(C) = Circumference of the ring.
(N) = Number of segments in each ring.
(W) = Width of the segments in that ring.
(L) = Length of the segments in that ring.
(A) = Segment angle.
(CA) = Segment cut angle.
(BL) = Board length. This is the minimum length of wood needed to cut the segments in that ring.
Step 10: Finding the Circumference of Our Rings
C = 2π(R_out)
Ring 1 (R_out) is 4.8 inches. Circumference of ring 1 would be C=2(3.14)(4.8) which equals 30.144
I will not go through the rest of the calculations at this time.
Step 11: Finding the Angle of Each Segment
A = C/N = Segment angles.
CA = A/2 = Cut angle.
In this example our vessel will have nine 3/4 inch layers and will have 24 segments in each layer.
If you are using a table saw, you will only need to know the angle of each segment.
To find the angle of each segment, divide 360 by 24 = 15 degrees.
If you are using a chop saw or band saw you will use the Cut Angle, which is the above angle Divided by two.
The cut angle would then be 7.5 degrees.
Step 12: To Find the Width of Each Segment
W = (R_out) –( R_in) = Width of each segment.
To find the width of each segment, simply subtract (R_in) from (R_out)
The inner radius from the outer radius.
Width of ring one would be 4.8 - 3.0 or 1.8 Inches.
You will need this measurement for each layer. 76