A PROGRESSION OF MULTI AXIS WORK
Multi axis turning is created by turning shapes using more than one axis on a lathe.
This type of turning allows a person to turn asymmetrical
spindles on the lathe and between centers. (Spindles turned on the lathe
traditionally produce symmetrical and round objects.)
This gallery includes a progression of my exploration of multi axis spindles.
The more recent work is on the top.
COVES ON A LARGER PIECE OF WOOD!
This Skeleton series evolved after spending time with Max Brosi last summer! (2019)
I was inspired to hollow a form I turn called the Wave.
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Here are more turnings that I had made as demo pieces that were on shelves in my shop. They came to life when I carved and painted them!!
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A LOOK BACK
As I review the studies that I’ve explored throughout the years, I can now see ideas that I have not yet explored. Here are some of the small spindles that I made years ago turned as larger forms. In the past, never felt playful enough to use paint or texture, but these forms are a bit more playful. 7/19
PLAYING WITH COVES:
Playing with coves:
I’ve always enjoyed making goblets..some using one piece of wood and, some of the earlier ones, connecting the 3 parts after turning them separately. The image above shows all types, but the most recent study was to see if I could make a large one-piece goblet. The holly goblet is one piece and the video shows how it was turned. The large cherry goblet on the right side is made from 3 pieces.
APPLYING MULTI AXIS CONCEPTS TO LARGER PIECES OF WOOD:
I made the totem this Fall, 2017. It is eastern cedar and is 6 feet tall. The 3 smaller posts are also cedar.
SPLIT TURNINGS:
In the fall of 2017, I was interested in turning table legs for slabs of wood. Split turnings are perfect for this, as large pieces of wood can be turned together resulting in multi axis forms. Multiples are made and the lathe is balanced, making turning much easier.
Bowl Forms:
Recently, I’ve been playaing with small discs. The axes are changed by using the tenon in the 4 jaw chuck. The Holy is a perfect wood for these forms. They are about 3″ in diameter.
SPHERES INTERRUPTED:
Alternating beads on 2 axes
From earlier work, I focused on alternating beads and came up with SPHERES INTERRUPTED. These are alternating beads on 2 axes twisted at 90 degrees.
The top image shows how it looks when on the lathe.
ALTERNATING AND OPPOSITE COVES:
While playing in 2917, I made this spindle and I liked the multi axis element in the middle. This encouraged me to play with just that idea…alternating coves in a squarish sized piece of wood. The images above are the result of this study.
Each piece on the above sculpture is turned on 6 axes and attached with a copper wire. The sculpture can be manipulated to create varrious forms. It is 15″ tall.
These scupltures were turned in April of 2014. Rude Osolnic gave me a demo piece of his candle stick in the 90’s . It has been hanging in my shop for many years. He told me to find an elegant form and to keep it simple!!! I should have listened to him!!
This is called “Cluck, Clook, Click” referencing the sounds made in the ancient language of the early caveman inhabitants of Ethiopia. The walnut scuplture on the left is one of a split turning, the cherry sculpture is made on 3 axes and the holly scuopture is also made on 3 axes between centers on the lathe.
This sculpture is 17″ tall and made with holly in 2013.
These small snow people were made on 2 axes in 2013.
Some of my early experiments. I realized that I am an experimental turner. I learn something about multi axis spindles with every new idea!!
This was made while contemplating an exhibit at Arrowmont “Light of the Moon’. It is 12″T x 3” Square. I did not get into that show, but it started hours of exploration of the idea of alternating beads, coves and v-cuts.
10/15/2013
Harmony, 4.5″W X 4.5″L X 5″T, Spalted Holly, 12/24/2012
This is one piece of wood made by using 2 axes. It is an idea I had in 2005, but made on a completely different scale. It was inspired by an invitation to the AAW Exhibit in 2013, “Harmony”.
These walnut candle holders are the only successful forms that I found by random exploration. I made them in 2005. They became the basis for “Harmony”, the piece above.
These cups are made by using the tenon to change the axes randomly. They are about 5″T
These cups are made on 3 twisted axes separated by 120 degrees. Notice the twists, which are in opposite dirrections.
3″W X 2.75″ T, 5/2012
These are some of the first experiments I did with this type of multi axis turning. In October of 2010, I was inspired by the tea pot that Art Liestman had made using a technique called therming. I wondered if I could make a squar-ish turning between centers.
These Holly Candleholders were made in November of 2009. They are 21″ tall. They are split turnings that are finished on 2 different axes.
It took me a month to figure out how to make these again! I had had beginner’s luck! The walnut and holly candle holders (above) were more carefully thought out and are more refined.
These were the first split turnings that I had made using a new axis rather than the center axis to finish each piece. I was beginning to understand that I could use any axis to finish a sculpture.
“intimate or not”
ash and lacewood (2009)
These were made in 2009 and were finished on the center axis of each spindle.
SPLIT TURNINGS
I wanted to turn larger pieces, so in 2009 I started experimenting with split turnings. Split turnings are balanced, so larger pieces of wood can be turned more easily.
A split turning is made of 2 or more pieces of wood glued together and strapping tape is used on each end to keep the wood together, thus, creating one piece of wood. This glued up piece is then placed between the centers of the lathe and turned. The pieces are then split apart and rotated and then glued together again and turned. This allows one to turn multiples and to turn larger pieces of wood, since split turnings are balanced. Inside out turnings are split turnings that are then glued together to make an object.
The image above shows four squared of wood that have been turned on all four sides. I use hot glue to secure the four pieces together and then use strapping tape to wrap around each end. Through the years, I have found that using a clear plastic square with a hole drilled in the middle helps keep the pieces together. This plastic is hot glued to the top of each piece of the wood. If the drive center slips, I use hot glue to secure it to the plastic.
I then realized that I could turn the three pieces (stem, cup and base) on many axes! (2008-9) The goblet on the left is circular type with 3 twisted axes. The cup and base are both turned on three twisted axes. The center goblet is walnut and the stem is turned on 3 twisted axes that are separated by 120 degrees and twisted to 120 degrees. The stem of the oak goblet on the right is a combination of circular and arc type and is twisted.
These are the first goblets I made (2007-8). The stems have mutiple axes. Some are arc type and some are circular type. The bases and the cups are turned on one axis.
In 2006, I started exploring multi axis turning by making hundreds of spindles and figuring out what they had in common! Once I figured out a systematic way to understand these spindles, I started thinking of ways to explore and find new forms.
As you scroll up, you can see the progression of the ideas that I focused on.
