Creating a Thermed 3-Legged Stool

[Brian Horais]

Therming is a turning technique that dates back to the 1700s. It has allowed turners to create a number of spindles, legs or ballusters simultaneously using a 'barrel turning' rig on the lathe. This presentation walks you through the steps to make your own therming rig and then create some unique legs for a stool. Materials are minimal and all you need is to be comfortable with 'turning air'. The links in the presentation take you to a YouTube video I created that provides more information.

Enjoy!

 

[Damon McLaughlin]

Brian, thank you for sharing pdf file. I've started experimenting with therming, though not stool legs, and this will help.

Damon

 

[Brian Horais]

Glad to be of help. I first learned of this technique in a class taught by Art Liestman. He has given a number of demos out your way. There's a good article on Therming in the May 2017 issue of the British magazine 'Woodturning'. American Woodturner also published an article on 'Angular Turning' (therming) in their Summer 1998 issue.

 

[R Henrickson]

Good video and presentation. American Woodturner published a Liestman article on therming in the April 2010 issue (25:2)

 

[hockenbery]

Brian,

thanks for posting.
I find this technique similar to inside out turning and some split turning techniques.
Great tool for people to have i their kit.

 

[Brian Horais]

You are welcome and I agree. I have to give credit to Art Liestman for getting me interested in therming. The class I took from Art and Barbara Dill at Arrowmont in 2012 was entitled "Round is So Over-Rated". That class got me started down the off-axis and twisted paths. Art has made some very unique works of art with therming. I even understand that Stoney Lamar used therming for some of his creations. The article that Art Liestman posted in American Woodturner in April 2010 provided a basis for my presentation.

 

[John Torchick]

Thanks. Saved the file for reference.

 

[Tom Albrecht]

Well done instruction and video lesson. Thank you.

 

[Al Chavez]

Fantastic introduction and instructions for a very interesting process.
Thanks for the pdf and video links.

 

[Brian Horais]

You are welcome Al. I hope this means you will give therming a try! Enjoy, Brian

 

[robo hippy]

One of those things I have thought about doing without ever seeing it before. I knew it was some thing that had to have been done a long time ago.... Thanks!

robo hippy

 

[Brian Horais]

Give it a try Robo! The therming rig I discuss was taken from a class taught by Art Liestman back in 2014. It is simple to make and can give you the capability to make some interesting shapes. Here's some examples on non-furniture shapes I have made with this therming technique: