General Category > General Discussion

Joint Maker Pro

(1/2) > >>

paulkane1:
I have just taken a interest in Woodturning,so I am a complete novice,on a very large learning curve.What I am interested in is Segmentation Turning,some of the designs are very eye catching.i hope to be able to have a go at it soon. It's important to cut precise angled cuts,I was wondering,is it possible to cut so many pieces by hand ? And what would be the best set up, for to achieve near perfect angled-cuts every time by hand.I came across a web page, and its a tool called "Joint Maker Pro" , its a American Product, sold by Bridge City Tools.I have to be honest ,the price of it shocked me a bit,near 1100 Dollars,for a hand held cutting machine,although ,it's a awesome piece of kit.Would anyone on this Forum,ever have used this miter saw?and would there be an outlet for this product in Britian or Ireland. Would there be a far cheaper method of cutting a large amount of cuts by hand,and all pieces are perfect cuts?Some type of Miter Block,using some type of Japenese Saws,who have a great tradition of producing Fine Hand Saws,to produce Glass Cuts,no sanding needed? I am not a wealthy man,1100 Dollars is big bucks,could someone give me some advice on this one,what Miter Block or Jig would they recommended.

                                     Yours Kindly Paul

thebowlerhattedturner:
Hello Paul,
             it would be easier to answer your question if we knew what machinery you had already. When I do segmenting I cut the pieces with a snip saw that I got from B&Q but I fitted a wooden bed and back stop to it, or I use the bandsaw. I now have a disc sander that I have made jigs for to sand the segments to final size and angle. Before I had this I made a sanding attachment for my lathe.
    Personally I would not splash that sort of money out as anything I need I can make.
Regards
John BHT

Andy Coates:
Your advice sounds considered and sensible to me, George.

So much of turning is about understanding the material and way the tools cut it, but segmented turning "blanks" can cause all sorts of problems related to grain orientation which can magnify the problems. Learning to turn forms conventionally first seems a sensible approach.

As for spending $1100 ! Be wary of "ultimate solutions" as woodturning is awash with them.

Another consideration is saleability of the finished segmented turnings, which under usual circumstances is what pays for your tools and materials.

I turner I know specialises in segmented turning but after years of trying has given up trying to sell them for a fair price in the UK. He goes to the USA two or three times a year. He takes no clothes but suitcases full of segmented turnings. Sells them there and buys clothes.

Good luck

John D Smith:
Hello Paul, I agree with both John and George why not have a course with a Woodturner who specialises in Segmented work there are many about.
segmented work is very specialised and there is more to it than just sticking some pieces of wood together everything has to be very accurate then there is the process of turning.If you cannot turn already then that is the place to start first.
There are Segmented woodturners all over the country and I am sure there must be one close to your location.

                                                                             Regards John  

bodrighywood:
Whilst I admire the segmented turners I have no ambition to go that direction as the work and accuracy needed far outweighs either the pleasure or the profit for me personally. I also have great aversion to spending great sums of money on expensive equipment on any 'super tools' that if anything detract from my skill learning with basic tools. I agree with George that for a novice turner to go straight into segmented work is jumping in the deep end then learning to swim. If segmented work is what you really want to do then my advice would be to start by learning to turn simpler things to a high point of accuracy first. Learning the basics of turning, good design and getting accuracy in ones work are big enough learning curves to begin with. The bet cabinet maker in the world can be surprised at the difference between making something flat and making something round. I read an article by an american turner who does some complex segmented work who said that a piece he made took him many months to get made so for a novice to start at this end of the craft is surely courting serious frustration.

Pete

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page