What is the best (easiest, most reliable) way to cut a turned column
(1 1/2″ dia. X 14″long) into quarters?
I’ve heard of gluing paper between laminations then splitting when finished. Will this work? What kind of paper? What kind of glue?
How about leaving the ends on (square) after turning then cutting in a table or band saw and trimming to length?
Any help would be appreciated. Lots of work, fluted colums. I’d prefer not to experiment but I’ll be happy to try on simpler turnings first.
Thanks..
Ed
Replies
I can't really help, but can think of problems with both methods you describe.
If you glue up four individual pieces, using paper, the turning might not have the exact center of the four pieces in the center of the turning. If this is true, the four pieces would not be the same size after splitting them apart. They would, however, be so close that this might not be a problem.
Cutting the turning apart using a bandsaw or a table saw will take a kerf out of the turning. Therefore, you wouldn't have four pieces that could be put back together to make a complete turning. The kerf might also wander ever so slightly, creating another problem.
I'll be interested in the answer.
John
Thanks John. As others have stated,I'll have to be careful to position my centers exactly. I plan on turning the columns slightly oversized to allow for kerf losses. I realize this will yield arcs that are less than 90 deg., but that should be OK.Thanks
Ed
Turn the tablesaw upside down.
http://eurekazone.com/gallery/trimming-narrow-and-small-pieces
The "dead wood concept" and the ez smart.
david.
When I make quarter columns for tall case clocks, I leave squared ends on the turning. To the ends, I tack a board that will ride against fence. Then I rip it in half and reattach the board to the now half columns and run them through to make 1/4 columns. I use the band saw for this as there is less material lost to the kerf. You'll want to plan for this lost material when sizing your turnings. On the period reproductions I make, quarter columns are usually not a true arc so I don't worry too much about the wood lost to the kerf.
Rob Millard
The traditional way is to use brown paper between four pieces of wood. After turning, it is easy to split off the wood at the paper glue joint. As others have pointed out, you need to set your turning centers exactly, but this is not so hard because the paper leaves a slightly softer center point.
Another option that is much more work but looks a lot better is to use about 100-115 degrees of arc columns (i.e, bigger than 1/4, but less than 1/3) in your work. [The fatter columns I slice on the bandsaw]. The larger arc makes the columns stand out proud, giving a fuller look. The downside is you need to make more columns: I tend to sacrifice the rest of the column for one "fat corner". Like I said, a lot of work but it looks good.
Ihave turned numerous half and quarter columns both beaded and fluted some up to 8ft in length and up to 12 " dia. I use thin brown paper and thinned hide glue sometimes newspaper.All it requires is a little care with the centering as has been said .On large columns I put a couple of gear clamps near the ends in case of a burst but it has never happend.To split them I use an old plane iron and drive that in from the ends
Grampsy,
Many of the old quarter columns I've examined were pieced together. That is, the capitals were turned and split apart as others have described, and the column shaft was made as a separate piece. Particularly for longer columns, as would be used on chests of drawers, or highboy top sections, this is easier to do, as the longer columns will have a tendency to "whip" in the lathe, making it difficult to size them correctly.
By making the columns' shafts separate, you can work them as quarter round moldings on the edge of a wider board, making it easier to dimension them properly. You can flute them with a molding plane (or on the shaper), rip them off, cut to length, and fit in place between the turned capitals. Carve the flutes' returns into the capitals, or not, as many old ones were done.
Regards,
Ray Pine
what Rob said.
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