New Fluting Jig For Custom Curved Flutes Options

[Edward G. in Bur...]

Rusty and those who are interested here is my latest jig and a sample bowl. A template can be mounted to create many different shapes for fluting. The first one is not perfect but I learned some things and will do better next time. Actually the only problem I had was I did not make an adequate stop on the template and the top was somewhat inconsistent as a result. Also I will improve my depth stop to make it more consistent as well.





E.G.

[Edward G. in Bur...]

Oops: Thought you might like a picture of the Jig.

E.G.

[Don Kondra]

Hi Edward,

First of all, let me complement you on your jig, that's a nice piece of work

But, in my most humble opinion, the core box bit looks machined.

Have you considered using a groove bit and hand carving to achieve basically the opposite of what you have done? An outee instead of an inee, technical terms, eh?



You definitely have the carving skills to come up with something much more unique.

Some examples, this is a carved vessel by Joel Dunkley, this is the son of one of the members of our local turning club. He has had the advantage of hanging with us old guys



And this is a piece on the other side of the scale by one of our more senior members, Leon Lacoursiere.



I offer these as food for thought, your work is already improving by leaps and bounds. Perhaps this will help you decide on a direction for new work???

Cheers, Don.

[Edward G. in Bur...]

Thanks Don for your comments. I was wondering if anyone had any interest at all. The sample bowl is the first one using this jig. By the time I figured out how to use it and added some improvements, the flutes got a bit too deep. I am going to add another enhancement to control the depth better so I can dive in and out as much as I like. I will submit another example next weekend. I appreciate your guidance and suggestions. I have been collecting these ideas for a while and I think I have some projects that will be challenging and hopefully interesting to others.

Here are a couple more pictures of the jig parts that will help clarify how it works.
The guide system

The arm guide

The second pivot slidering motion

E.G.

[Don Kondra]

Hi Edward,

Be assured, there is interest

I think the lack of response is simply because how may "well done's" can be posted.... and how many do you really want to wade through?

You have a good grasp of shape and have moved on to embellishing your pieces.

Some turners choose to do this mechanically and some go for hand work. Some never move beyond a basic turned object which is just fine.

I have the highest respect for your jig making ability but would really like to see you incorporate your hand carving skills in future pieces.

Whichever way you decide to go, I look forward to the results..

Cheers, Don.

[Inspector]

I'm interested too. Leaving for the States tomorrow so can't comment tonight.
Next week I'll have some input that may be of use to you.

[Edward G. in Bur...]

Don: You are right of course but it is nice to get some positive feedback. What is most important however is to get some reasonable critiques and suggestions. In fact it was Rusty that challenged me to do an Ogee type flute. He had commented on a previous thread that the flute I had done may look more appropriate as an Ogee form.

This is what started me thinking on how to do it. It wasn’t long before I had to give it a try and that has forced me to move ahead another step.

This jig will be able to make outlines for hand carvings as well. I am thinking along the lines of floral forms (petals) as embellishment to a bowl. This jig could make the outline inside and out so hand carving would be much easier.

E.G.

[Edward G. in Bur...]

I'm interested too. Leaving for the States tomorrow so can't comment tonight.
Next week I'll have some input that may be of use to you.

Look forward to hearing you comments and suggestions.

E.G.

[Rob]

Very interesting jig - it appears to swing through an arc while following a flat pattern at the same time. Very ingenious . As a manufacturing engineer who's designed my fair share of jigs, I appreciate and respect the thought that went into that.

I'm looking forward to seeing the next bowl..

Rob

[~Julie~]

Edward I'm always interested in what you (and others) are up to. That jig is amazing.

~Julie~

[Rusty]

Edward: the bowl does look better, and as you say there can be improvements. As Don says the router bit may be a concern, and there would be many choices. Next challenge might be to introduce a flair, if that is the right description, where the grove ends, rather than an abrupt stop the grove gently slopes up to meet the natural surface. This aspect would put another twist in your method if it can be done.

[Allan]

Very cool, Edward. I've been away the past while immersed in my car racing stuff, but I'm slowly transitioning back into woodworking. Thanks a lot for posting those jig pics. I'm not a huge fan of the core box bit (maybe just that size???), but I think you're heading down a very cool path with this.

My local woodturning guild has some very talented people and the direction they're heading in is more on embellishments in one form or another. Making a nicely-shaped vessel is always nice, but for those folks who have mastered that, they are looking for other ways to explore turning.

Your experiments are greatly encouraged from what I've seen. The potential can be amazing.

Have fun!
Allan