Ringmaster tool for bowls

[Robert Newton]

Check ebay for a used ringmaster

[Dave Lehnert]

Here is a book that may be of interest.

http://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Bowls-S...2337826&sr=8-1

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[Greg Just]

recently published article on woodturningdesign.com

http://www.ghwg.ca/techniques/Bowl_f...d_20100909.pdf

[Kevin Beitz]

I made my own attachment using a X Y drill press attachment.

[Barry McFadden]

I don't like the method of using a bandsaw to cut the rings because then you have to glue all the half rings back together. I use my scroll saw tilted to 35 degrees so I'm dealing with full rings which are much less trouble to glue together...

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[Mick Fagan]

Barry, that is a very interesting way of obtaining the segmented layers.

As it so happens, yesterday I watched a live demonstration from a long retired pattern maker and his version of segmenting bowls and/or vases. His method only uses material he can cut on his bandsaw using a jig of his own design to calculate and set angles. His method uses individual segments individually glued for each ring. He uses a face plate sander, combining it with his angle jig on his lathe to obtain accurate angles and smoothness for his individual pieces. Not as elegant as your method and I would suggest nowhere near as quick; but one can, with a minimum of equipment and diligence, end up with some interesting and elegant stuff using his method.

In March this year, I was in attendance at my own wood turning guild when one of our members demonstrated his own self built ring cutter. Being a retired machining shop owner and still owning some machinery, he built his own ring cutting device. His device was a great thing, but I like the simplicity of your method better.

I note you appear to be using a single sided steady, is this to allow for the pressure from internal cutting?

I am not a super fan of segmented turning, but I can see that I'll have to do at least one in the future to get them out of my system.

Mick.

[Barry McFadden]

Barry, that is a very interesting way of obtaining the segmented layers.

As it so happens, yesterday I watched a live demonstration from a long retired pattern maker and his version of segmenting bowls and/or vases. His method only uses material he can cut on his bandsaw using a jig of his own design to calculate and set angles. His method uses individual segments individually glued for each ring. He uses a face plate sander, combining it with his angle jig on his lathe to obtain accurate angles and smoothness for his individual pieces. Not as elegant as your method and I would suggest nowhere near as quick; but one can, with a minimum of equipment and diligence, end up with some interesting and elegant stuff using his method.

In March this year, I was in attendance at my own wood turning guild when one of our members demonstrated his own self built ring cutter. Being a retired machining shop owner and still owning some machinery, he built his own ring cutting device. His device was a great thing, but I like the simplicity of your method better.

I note you appear to be using a single sided steady, is this to allow for the pressure from internal cutting?

I am not a super fan of segmented turning, but I can see that I'll have to do at least one in the future to get them out of my system.

Mick.

Hey Mick....yes.. I use the bowl steady on large thin bowls to prevent chatter when turning the inside. I don't do much spindle turning so I don't have a steady rest which supports the work piece from 3 sides... I find the bowl steady isn't really needed on a thicker bowl but find it very useful on the thinner ones.. To prevent chatter when I turn the outside of the bowl I put a scrap piece of wood across the open end of the bowl and hold it in place with the tailstock...

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[Mick Fagan]

Barry, thanks for your explanation. Your scrap piece of timber across the top of the bowl to eliminate chatter, is neat.

Mick.