1. The Construction of Vertical Evolution Nigel Howe

2. The Thought Process June 2006 July 2008 June 2006

3. Cross Section Drawing with Cutting List

4. Design Issue

5. A cross section drawing showing a curve made using regular segmented rings

6. This drawing shows the changes to ring 19 to overcome the “slab” problem.

7. Flat, Soon to become round

8. Cutting the planks into 1 ½” planks for segmenting

9. Running the strips through the thickness planer

10. Cutting segments on the sled

11. Hand sanding the glue surface

12. Five sets of segments ready for the glue table

13. Cutting the maple strips

14. Hand sanding the maple strips

15. A segmented ring dry fitted inside a hose clamp

16. The segments are aligned as the clamp is tightened

17. Each ring is held up to a light to check that all joints are tight

18. The hose clamp is removed and glue is applied

19. Placed on wax paper the ring is glued and realigned as the hose clamp is tightened

20. The first ring glued and set aside to dry

21. A large diameter ring is dry fitted to check the joints

22. The light test is done large or small

23. The segments for the 3 top rings were cut oversize, then maple strips were glued to the side of 12 segments, the other 12 are left plain.

24. All 24 segments are then cut lengthwise. The eraser on the end of an unsharpened pencil make a great non-slip push stick.

25. All 24 segments of a top ring. 12 with maple, 12 plain. 2 have already been cut.

26. All 24 segments cut and lined up

27. The middle strips have traded places

28. Ready for gluing

29. Glue is applied. A straight edge is used on the maple edge to insure alignment.

30. The reassembled segment is then cut to size

31. All 24 segments glued to make a complete ring

32. All 63 rings glued! Next step, flatten both sides!

33. Hot melt glue is used to hold the ring to an MDF face plate for flattening

34. Mounted and ready to be flattened

35. ½” bowl gouge makes the first cut

36. Light cuts with a square scrapper

37. Close up of scrapper cut. Oh, look! It’s ring 13. Unlucky for some

38. Sanding the flattened surface

39. Checking the ring for flatness using a straightedge and a flashlight

40. One of the larger diameter rings being flattened

41. All 63 rings flattened

42. Gluing the rings together begins. You can never have to many clamps!

43. Another clamping method.

44. When all the clamps are being used, Improvise !!!

45. Another use for steel flanges and blinds

46. 15” diameter faceplate to be glued onto section #1

47. 15” diameter faceplate being glued to the top of section # 1

48. The top ½ of section 1 is mounted on the lathe ready to start turning

49. Starting to shape the underside of section #1. Photo taken without a flash.

50. Starting to shape the underside of section #1. Photo taken with a flash.

51. Shaped and sanded. Ready for the next step.

52. A view of the top of section # 1

53. The bottom half of section # 1 has been added

54. Shaping the inside of the bottom of section # 1

55. Section #1 has been fit to a custom built donut chuck, ready to finish turn the top and inside.

56. Front View

57. Starting to turn the top and inside of section # 1

58. Shaping section #1 which includes ring 19

59. Turning and sanding of section #1 complete

60. The outside of section #2 has been turned.

61. Modifying the donut chuck for use on sections #2 and #3

62. Section #2 clamped in place, ready to turn the inside.

63. Section #2 turned and sanded

64. Section #3 ready for shaping and sanding

65. Section #3 in the donut chuck for inside turning

66. Support columns were added to the base to counter flex

67. Sanding deep in section #3 with a broomstick with sandpaper taped on the end

68. Section #3 turned and sanded

69. All 3 sections in the finish room

70. Tape is placed below the glue joint

71. Final assembly begins

72. Section #3 glued in place

73. On the lathe ready to sand the internal glue joints

74. All sections together turned and sanded

75. 125 hours of construction 40 board feet of wood ½ gallon of glue 1 Box of band aids 62 rings 1656 pieces of mahogany 828 pieces of maple 2484 total pieces of wood Not one “Nigel get out of the shop and come in the house” $300 total material cost 3 sleepless nights

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