[Woodcarver] Spiral design help

[Phill Pittman]

I used several methods including relatively precise geometric solutions, But
the ones I liked the most was simple. ( almost primitive)
I turned or carved my shaft to some proximity of the round shape I wanted.
Attached a string with a weight to one end. Held it vertical with the string
hanging from the top and gave the weighted end of the string a good launch.
The effect was much like a Maypole. Trial and error gave me the opportunity
to get the spiral I wanted including nudging it around for a decreasing
radius effect. Once I had the string representing the approximate centerline
I wanted, I taped the loose end in place and gave it a quick spray of quick
drying spray paint. The paint obviously carved off as the shape was cut.
I use a modified dovetail saw to cut along this line for my "safe" cut. I
took an inexpensive dovetail saw, removed the blade and clamped it ( glued
after the design was right) between two tapered boards that acted as a
handle and a depth gauge for the kerf.I made several variations of this
"kerf" saw including dual blades separated by the width of a planed bead
that would wrap the staff. Another one of the kerf saws included sandpaper
glued to the bottom of that depth blocks to smooth out the rough in ridges
left in first shaping done by drawknife.

Pretty basic, but really quick to implement, and it was something I could
teach my apprentices without starting a remedial math or geometry class. It
just kept the carving fun and quick moving.

Another straight forward method is to cut a ribbon ( of anything including
craft paper)  about the width you want for spiral center and wrap it around
your stick touching itself. Use a pencil in the crack to transfer the
spiral. If the shaft is tapered, the ribbon will gain on itself and start to
overlap. Keep wrapping and mark the bottom exposed edge as you unwrap it.
The resulting curve will be a naturally appearing progression.

Good carving, Phill

Phill Pittman
digicarve at verizon.net
www.masterwerkes.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lon Oleson" <olesd2 at abe.midco.net>
To: "[Woodcarver]" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2004 10:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Spiral design help


> To make a DONATION to the Mailing List using PayPal OR regular mail, click
this link: http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html
>
> But Dave the corners get in the way......
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dave Egan" <ThumbGouger at netscape.net>
> To: ""[Woodcarver]"" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
> Sent: Friday, July 02, 2004 11:40 PM
> Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Spiral design help
>
>
> > To make a DONATION to the Mailing List using PayPal OR regular mail,
click
> this link: http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html
> >
> > all well and good, and most definately a fun site.  But how about a
pencil
> and a block of wood?
> >
> > just a thought
> >
> > Dave
> >
> >
> >
> > "Joe Dillett" <jdillett at thecarvingshop.com> wrote:
> >
> > >Hi Jean,
> > >
> > >Here are some links to help you with the logarithmic spiral
> > >http://www.2dcurves.com/spiral/spirallo.html
> > >http://mathworld.wolfram.com/LogarithmicSpiral.html
> >
>
>http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/EMT668/EMAT6680.F99/Erbas/KURSATgeometrypro/pola
> r%20equation%20of%20spiral/polareqn.html
> > >
> > >I hope this helps
> > >
> > >Joe Dillett
> > >The Carving Shop
> > >645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3
> > >Somonauk, IL. 60552
> > >(815) 498-9290 phone
> > >(815) 498-9249 fax
> > >http://www.thecarvingshop.com
> > >jdillett at thecarvingshop.com
> > >http://www.carvingmagazine.com Carving Magazine web site and Readers
> Forum
> > >**************************************************
> >
> >
> >
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