Dennis Keeling - Demonstrates The Seg-Easy open-segmenting method
Dennis Keeling is a world renowned woodturner specializing in open segmented vessels.
His pieces bring an elegance and quality of craftsmanship that has brought him many awards and distinctions.
Cutting segments is easier with open-segmenting. They do not have to be perfect. Adjust the angle to where they fit snugly in the plate. Simple!
Use the Wedgie Sled to make cutting the segments easier. There are many Wedgie sizes to choose from.
The bottom layer is solid wood large enough to serve as a waste block also. Make sure it is turned flat.
Apply glue to the area of the segments that will touch the block. Tightbond glue works just fine.
Using the tailstock for pressure, set the first layer to the waste block.
Load the plate with the next layer of segments as before. Add glue to the previous layer.
With the lathe running slowly, sand the segments flat.
With the lathe runnng slowly, use a pencil to mark the segments for sanding.
Sand the top segmented ring flat.
Damp pipe cleaners make easy work of glue clean up. After ten to twenty minutes, gently pull the Seg-Easy plate off.
Add the next layer as before.
Again using the tailstock as a guide and pressure, place the next layer as shown. Alignment is pretty easy by eye but the glue sets quickly.
And so-on. Do not forget to clean out the glue.
Clean, clean, clean.
Sometimes it is more convenient to add the glue to the segments in the plate.
The outside of the base is shaped before reversing.
The top layer is a regular segmented ring.
Another layer.
Open segmented vessels turn as easy as any other vessel. Just take your time especially when you get to the rim.
After at least a day, you can start turning. Here the inside is turned first.
Reverse the vessel with a jam chuck and turn the outside.
Now is a great time to clean up any glue that might have been missed. A small needle file works best.
His book "Segmented Turning", by Taunton Press in the US and "Segmented Turning a Practical Guide" in the U.K. Has become one of the most popular learning tools in the woodturning community.
Check out his website www.dkeeling.com. Dennis freely shares the plans to many of his projects including this one that you may download.