Shopsmith Forums

Nick and Drew- I loved the Ringmaster video, and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series. Could you please add some more specifics on the glueup process? Especially:
1. Can/do the rings warp after they are released from the board? If so, do you use a planer or SandFlee to flatten them before glueup?
2. How do you keep the rings from slipping out of alignment during glueup?
3. What is your preferred way to clamp the rings during glueup? Do you clamp them one ring at a time, or all at once? Do you use a drill press to apply pressure, or some other device?
4. What tools do you recommend to get the 1/2" plug(s) flush with the bottom? Belt sander for the outside, small drill-mounted disc sander for the inside?

Thanks also for the Excel spreadsheet for those of us who are math-challenged!

Gary

The company that manufactures the RingMaster sells a simple device to glue up the rings, it is a piece of Formica with a 1/2" hole, a piece is 1/2" all tread rod through the hole and a nut countersunk into the bottom with a washer and nut on top to hold the rod upright.

After the rings are installed largest on bottom, you install a washed and knob to tighten from the top. I am making my own with a Shopsmith clamp (forgot the name) that came with rod and hardware and a piece of left over countertop.

Can't answer the other questions yet, next weekend hopefully.

Gary, we have a scheduled "Ringmaster 2: Segmented Bowls" for the February 9 Sawdust Session. We'll address your questions and others that we have recieved at that time.

With all good wishes,

Thanks, Nick! Thanks, Paul! Anxiously awaiting Ringmaster2! You know, that Ringmaster makes it look so easy it almost seems like you're cheating, somehow. Aren't bowls typically associated with mountains of shavings?

Gary

One way I glue up my stack of rings are, cut yourself a angled piece of plywood 6x6" with the same angle as you cut your rings at. Place this angled board alongside the stack on at least 4 sides around the stack. This will keep your angle the same so they aligned correctly for gluing.