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Vessel of illusion

egsiegel

egsiegel

Joined
Oct 4, 2010
Messages
234
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Location
Greensboro, NC
Website
www.bayberrycrafts.com
A few years ago (I think it was at the Hartford, CT Symposium) I saw Trent Bosch do his Vessels of Illusion demo. I've been wanting to give it a try. I remember most of it, but can't remember how he turned the thin insert for the top. It is basically a thin (1/16") disk with a hole in the center that gets boiled (so it can bend a little) and inserted into the opening in the hollow form.

Question I have is, how would you mount a piece to turn that, and then reverse it (I guesss) to thin it down to 1/16". I have some ideas that would work, just thought I would ask for input.

Thanks in advance,
Ed
 
As I recall Trent uses a vacuum chuck for the thin disk, but then I can't remember how it's held it to put the hole in it. I'll have to look at his DVD.
 
The insert is much too thin for a vacuum chuck. It has been a few years since I last took a class from him, but my recollection ix that we used double sided tape. He has videos that show how to do it so you might want to get one to refresh your memory. After turning thin to a bit less than 1/16 inch thick, boil it for an hour. When the piece is removed from the water, poke a heavy duty balloon through the hole, roll it up and insert it into the hollow form vessel. Inflate the balloon, twist it shut and tuck into the hole. before the balloon is fully inflated, you can adjust the balloon position slightly, but after the balloon is inflated ad much as you can with your breath, it will be difficult to moved the insert. Put it on a shelf for a month or two. Check it occasionally to make sure that the balloon is inflated. Do not use cheap balloons for this because they won't hold air. If you can find some rated for helium, that is your best bet.
 
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Double sided tape works.
Vacuum works too but you need to block the hole with a cork or tape over it.

The thinning is done in the inside surface.
Get the video because there is so much more.

The little insert is complicated. Selecting Wood species that will bend and a blank with grain structure that will bend.
Need to boil it until it sinks.
Bend and insert it before it looses pliability.
Using the ballon to mold it and as glue clamp

Trent is such an inventive individual!

Al
 
I took a class with Trent about 3 years ago, the vessel of illusion was our project. If I remember correctly, Trent turned the shape of his insert, parted it off, then made a jamb chuck to reverse the insert and thin it down.
Bob
 
A jamb chuck works too.
Trent will use the method available for all the students.
vacuum is not often available for a whole class, double sided tape is not always available. Jamb chucks only need wood

There is a message here.
We need a thin curved piece with an attractive opening about 4-5" in diameter Part of the fun is figuring out how to make it with the skills and tools we have.
 
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