Comments on: Calculate The Dimensions Of Segmented Turning Pieces

By: Terry Burren

Terry Burren — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:03:40 +0000

He gave the diameter as 5.5 inches. The final diameter has to be smaller, since you are going to lose some wood in turning it round.

I have an Excel file that does these calculations. It tells me how thick the piece has to be. I would plug in 5.6 inches so that I would be able to turn it down to 5.5 inches. This would give a length of 1.501 inches. For a finished thickness of about .3 inches the blank should be about .4576 inches thick.

Keith’s Note: Thanks Terry for following up with more details on your approach.

By: zackattack

zackattack — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:02:51 +0000

@ Keith474.. Check your local Craigslist and /or want ads.. I see older Shop Smiths going for about $300.00 to $500.00 all the time.

By: Kenny474

Kenny474 — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:08:32 +0000

Keith,
Is that a Shop Smith table saw that Don Leman is using? It sure looks like it. I have often wondered what level of precision you could achieve with a universal machine such as that, and if Mr.Leman is able to cut accurate segments with it, I think that clears up any question I may have had.

I do wish i could find one at a reasonable price with some attachments. Really an awesome machine, and very neat to look at as well.

Keith’s Note: It is indeed. Don is a clever guy and he’s combined the Shopsmith with a Incra MITER5000 Miter 5000 Table Saw Miter Gauge. The combination allows him to do some of the most precise woodworking one can imagine.

By: Terry Burren

Terry Burren — Sun, 29 May 2011 18:25:21 +0000

This calculation doesn’t give any allowance for turning the blank round.

Keith’s Note: Don has had tremendous success with this approach, so I’m not quite sure in which way it is deficient. Maybe you can elaborate on how you like to calculate the cuts as it might help others..

By: danny a rohwer

danny a rohwer — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:12:42 +0000

Were on the Internet can you get a chart for calculating segmented bowls?

Keith’s Note: I’d refer you to the first comment above. A link is there. Good luck.

By: Don Moris

Don Moris — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:14:54 +0000

Don, I started segmented turning a couple of months ago. Your video lessons are a Godsend, and an inspiration. Thanks.

By: Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:09:13 +0000

This is great. I have spent hours watching how-tos but Don’s is the most clear and understandable I have seen. I am now looking for more of his demos.

By: Steve Stewart

Steve Stewart — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:47:09 +0000

Wow, this is interesting! I love it!

Steve Stewart

By: Rick

Rick — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:02:12 +0000

Good stuff! Thanks!

By: Keith

Keith — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:13:00 +0000

A number of you have asked for the formula that Don uses in my video on him. We’ll, there’s good news. He has put together a handout which includes the formula for calculating the segment dimensions. It’s a pdf document that you can download from his site at:

http://www.donleman.com/press/basic_segmenting.pdf