Turned Wood Portfolio ‘Not everything has to be round’
Brian Horais Knoxville, TN bhorais1@comcast.net 1/15/2016
Brian Horais
1
Background • I developed my approach to turning non-round objects on the lathe based upon a number of diverse inputs: – Arrowmont Course 2012 – “Round is So Over Rated” – Art Liestman – Arrowmont Course 2014 – Segmented Turning – Curt Theobald – Segmented turning and designs
• My approach is to develop designs that blend the diversity of segmented wood approaches with the unique twisted shapes provided by off-axis turning – 3-point off-axis turning provides a twisted spiral final shape – Integrating the twisted approach with round shapes and segmented designs can result in pleasing shapes – The variety of design opportunities is endless
Brian Horais, Knoxville, TN 2015 1/15/2016
Brian Horais
2
What is off-axis turning?
• Turning on one central axis is straightforward and predictable. – When a spindle is turned on one central axis, the result (outcome) is always circular or cylindrical
• Changing the axis provides wood turners with unlimited forms, within the limits of the lathe and the wood (Barbara Dill, DEC 2011) • When many axes are used, forms are randomly created by luck and experimentation – Multi-axis turning introduces many more variables that can be used to create a wide array of non-cylindrical shapes
A more complete description of one aspect of this, 3-point off axis turning, is provided at the end of this portfolio 1/15/2016
Brian Horais
3
Selected Turnings
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
4
Twisted, Segmented Slotted Jars • This trio of twisted, slotted jars was turned from a variety of different hardwoods. • The segmented layers and slots are integrated with the twist to complement the shapes • The three jars range in height from 6 inches to 8 inches. • The top of the each jar is circular with a transition from the twisted spiral just below the top rims.
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
5
Twisted, Segmented Slotted Jars, again Here are the three jars presented individually
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
6
Twisted Staves Urn • This twisted urn was turned from hickory and wenge with a walnut base and rim with bloodwood highlights • I was so inspired by the recent (AUG 14) American Woodturners article by Robert Craig on "Wedge Assemblies Offer a Tangential Twist" that I decided to try one. • This is my first attempt and I will definitely continue down this path. I really like the way the twist yielded a spiral effect when I shaped the jar. • As with most segmented turning projects, the real beauty doesn't appear until the last 5 to 10 percent of the work involved. 1/15/2016
Brian Horais
7
Twisted, Segmented Bowl • This bowl was turned from purpleheart, birch and rosewood. • The segmented layers are integrated with the twisted shape • The urn is 5 inches tall and 5.5 inches wide. • The top of the bowl retains the triangular shape from off-axis turning, but circular shapes are integrated below the top rim and at the bottom to provide interesting transitions
A visual ‘walkthrough’ of this design and turning process is provided at the end of this portfolio
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
8
Two Twisted Jars • This two twisted jars were turned from maple, walnut and padauk. • The segmented layers were aligned vertically with the twist to complement the shapes, a different approach than horizontal segmented rings. • The two jars range in height from 5 inches to 7inches and were turned from a single, long assembly before being separated into two cylinders. • The top of the each jar is circular with a transition from the twisted spiral just below the top rims.
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
9
Twisted, Slotted, Segmented Urn • This urn was turned from walnut and cherry and combines traditional round turning (lower half) with off-center 3axis turning (upper half) to add the twisted section. • I integrated segmented layers, slots and round cherry inserts with some carved lines to provide a southwestern flair. • The urn is 8 inches tall and 6 inches wide near the base. • The slots are very useful when turning the off center portion to know how much wood is left (I turned the inside first). A full description of this design and turning process is provided at the end of this portfolio 1/15/2016
Brian Horais
10
Twisted, Slotted Segmented Bowl • This twisted, slotted, segmented bowl was made from maple and Bloodwood with Walnut accents. • The bowl combines a 3-axis off center turning method with angled slots and ‘arrow’ designs to complement the twist achieved from turning • This off-center method yields a triangular cross-sectional shape which is complemented by shaping the internal top portion of the opening to match the triangular outer shape.
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
11
Twisted, Slotted Segmented Bowl #3 • This twisted, slotted, segmented bowl was made from walnut and maple and with redheart accents. • The bowl combines a 3-axis off center turning method with angled slots a segmented design to complement the twist achieved from turning • This off-center method yields a triangular cross-sectional shape which is complemented by shaping the internal top portion of the opening to match the triangular outer shape. 1/15/2016
Brian Horais
12
Twisted Segmented Slotted Bowl #2 • This bowl was made from walnut (base), maple, rosewood and purpleheart (top rim) using a 3-point off-axis turning method. • The slots were achieved by spacing the segments during gluing. Each segment is a 40 degree section so that the pattern repeats three times to coincide with the edges of the twisted turning. • The bowl is 5 inches tall and approximately 6 inches in 'diameter'. • Note the triangular (or Wankel rotor) shape that is achieved when doing 3axis off center turning.
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
13
Mesquite Twisted Peppermill • This twisted peppermill is about 9 inches tall and was made from a single block of mesquite • A 3-axis off center turning method was used to achieve the twist • The internal sections were turned first to accommodate the ceramic peppermill assembly and then the blocks were ‘locked’ together with small pins to preclude shifting during the off-axis turning • What better object to have a natural twist than a peppermill? 1/15/2016
Brian Horais
14
Twisted Dogwood Peppermill •
•
•
•
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
An old dogwood 'passed away' last year in the woods next to my house, so I salvaged a good section of the main trunk. I thought what better way to honor this beautiful tree than to make a twisted peppermill that would highlight the wood's delicate grain and color. This peppermill was made using a three-axis offset turning method and was finished with multiple coats of Watco Danish Oil. Height is approximately 10 inches. 15
Off-axis Segmented Jar with Lid • After taking a class taught by Art Liestman and Barbara Dill at Arrowmont in 2012 entitled "Round is So OverRated“, I was inspired to try some off-axis turning • I added the segmented wood 'twist' to the mix to see what would result. • This is my first attempt, and based on the results, I have continued my quest. The wood is maple, walnut and cedar. • The jar is approximately 4 inches tall
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
16
Two-Segment Twisted Jar • This two-segment lidded jar is made from maple and redheart. • I turned it using a 3-point off-axis turning approach. • This is one of my early explorations of combining segmented turning with offaxis methods • Height is approximately 7 inches
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
17
Twisted Segmented Cup • This twisted segmented cup was made from walnut, maple and matching veneers. • It was turned using an off-axis method with three centers. • The approach to segmentation was an interesting experiment • Height is 5 inches.
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
18
Twisted Angled Segment Jar •
•
•
• •
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
This is another of my segmented and 'twisted' jars made from maple, cherry and walnut. The variation on this one consists of the 9 segments in each layer, with the edge of each segment tilted 20 degrees to mimic the line of the twist. Combining an odd number of segments with tilted edges is not worth the effort The twist was achieved by using a 3-point off-axis turning method Height is 7 inches.
19
Twisted Jar #3 •
•
•
•
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
This lidded jar was made using walnut and maple and was formed with a 3-point off axis turning method. To develop the segmentation, the wood block was cut on the diagonal, reglued and then cut vertically and reglued two more times This resulted in the 'puzzling' segmented look Height is 6inches.
20
Twisted Segmented Vase •
•
•
•
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
This segmented wood vase (or pencil holder) was made using a 3-point off-axis turning method I learned from Barbara Dill. The wood used is maple, walnut, cherry and mahogany (on the base and rim). The interior opening was sanded out to match the triangular outer shape Height is 8 inches.
21
Twisted Pickled Lamp Base
• This lamp base was turned from select pine • A 3-point off-axis turning method provides the twist. • The finish is pickled white stain. • Height is 10 inches.
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
22
Other Work Slotted, Segmented Bowl - Maple, Cherry and Walnut - 7 inches in diameter - 6 inches tall
Curly Maple Segmented Bowl - Purpleheart and Maple - 7 inches in diameter - 6 inches tall
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
23
Other Work (continued) Lost Wood Jar - Cherry - The ‘Lost Wood’ is removed from the center and the two halves are rejoined - 4 inches tall
Segmented Bowl - Purpleheart and Maple - 4 inches tall
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
24
Other Work (continued) Segmented Screwdriver - Rosewood and Maple - 6-tool screwdriver - 7 inches long
‘Magic Ring’ Toothpick Holder - Purpleheart - Includes ‘magic’ captured ring - Every wood turner makes at least one of these… - 4 inches tall 1/15/2016
Brian Horais
25
Cabriturn Website • https://sites.google.com/site/cabriturn/home
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
26
“Round is So Over-Rated” Art Liestman Arrowmont, July 2012
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
27
Turned Wood Portfolio
1/15/2016
Brian Horais
by
Brian Horais
28