Phi Calipers

[@oatkeroder]

Hey, Mike. I've made several comments before and I'd like to make one more. Sometimes people sell themselves short when it comes to artistic judgement. I've heard you say that you don't think you're the best at it. I beg to differ. I have done stained glass pieces for 30 years plus and studied art in college for a short time and have seen many so called formulas. I encourage you and others to trust your instincts (with experimentations) and to follow your own eyes and judgement. I think that if you have been attracted to this type of endeavor you already have an inate ability to see how to make an acceptable design, you wouldn't be here if you couldn't recognize at least a decent design. I think this may be where inovation comes from. I hope I wasn't out of line. You're one of my very favorites.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks so much for that encouragment. I see so many true wood artists that seem to just have natural ability. But studying and working at it can improve one's ability to make reasonably good forms. I guess it is a bit like leadership. Some may have more natural ability but you can learn about it as well.

[@oatkeroder]

Point well taken.

[@kenkay40]

Thanks for posting Mike. Your description helps for better understanding of the Fibonacci calipers, this type of gauge has greatly improved my turnings.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, Ken.

[@jimkeown2074]

I try to use the ratio anytime practically applicable, you can't really argue with hundreds of years of masters having so much success with the concept.

[@rexbeistle8066]

I enjoy your work and wit. Thank you for the time and effort you put into the videos.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I appreciate that!

[@jimrobb6325]

Hi Mike Made a set of these a few years ago and use them from time to time. If not in constant use they do make a good conversation piece when I receive visitors to the workshop. Conversation is good and we can always learn and glean new ideas by having a good old chat. Thanks again Mike.

[@Lyle]

Mike, I use it ALL the time. At least for a starting point, and adjust from there. My take on it is "the more planning you do the luckier you get". Pleasing shapes can be made without the ratios, but this ratio can add some subtle excitement to a piece.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for sharing Lyle. That is certainly a positive endorsement of the technique.

[@Transcendental9]

This is very helpful, thank you for sharing

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GeraldJensen]

I have been using the golden ratio for many years now, going back to the days before I started turning when I was building furniture. I have two golden ratio calipers in the shop right now ... one that I bought on Amazon about 10 years ago, and a shop-made version that has legs 18" long for laying out bigger pieces.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for sharing, Gerald.

[@charlieodom191]

Thanks for a better understanding of this Happy turning!!!

[@LewisKauffman]

Thank you, Mike! I was a YMCA Scuba Instructor and YMCA Mid Atlantic Scuba Field Representative

[@kengunnell6398]

Thanks Mike for this video that I searched out as I am doing a demo at my club tonight and in my mind this is why I make my snowmen 2 round balls and a hat. To me it just “looks” better to the eye. I can better explain why tonight. I always enjoy your well researched videos and serves as a reminder to mention your UTube channel to our members.@

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Fantastic!

[@danhealy7341]

Thanks Mike. I am addicted to gadgets and will of course have to make one of these.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Gadgets are fun, espcially when you make them!

[@johnhorsfall3281]

Tat wat I have been needing and it has alway slipped my mind. Thanks Mike for the prompt I will go and make one today. Again a great informative video very cool.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for your support, John.

[@stevenhansen8641]

Thanks for sharing mike. Another good video.

[@MrBonners]

Room size photography uses the "Rule of Threes" and 'phi' for landscape. There are several 'correct to the eye' ratios. phi has the most correct feel because it is common in the natural world that we are part of.

[@bitmammothOG]

thoughts on 3d printed versions?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I think that would be a great idea.

[@wcdonah]

Thanks for another excellent video. Fibonacci numbers are found and used in a a great many things both in nature and even in business. The golden ratio is seen in the human body, both in the entire body and in the face of attractive people of all races. It has been used by the world's best artists and architects for centuries. In the 1930's, R.N. Elliott, an accountant, developed an theory of stock market behavior that picks turning points in the market by using Fibonacci numbers. This theory is still used widely and has been promoted by Robert Prector of Gainesville, Ga.

[@stdavidfitzroy]

fascinating

[@johnwallace4408]

Mike, I now have the information I need to decide if I shall use the golden mean. Thank you; SAFE TURNING ,John

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Happy to help.

[@genechambers7532]

great video mike good info

[@diydarkmatter]

hey gene good to see ya here buddy .

[@genechambers7532]

@@diydarkmatter same to you my friend

[@briansinclair3967]

Hi Mike, I have not only used the Golden Means measurements in the boxes I turn but also the 2/5 ths 3/5 ths calculations. Great video. Could you post a link for the ones you found on Amazon?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Go to my Amazon shop link in the video description.

[@HunnitAcreWoods]

I Though The Moors Introduced Arabic Numerals To Europe... But Thats Besides The Point... Do You Sell Those? I Would Like To Purchase 15" - 21" Calipers If You Do

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Certainly makes sense that the Moors brought Arabic numberals with them. I am not a historian but I reported the info based on Wikipedia. But I am guessing their use was to Spain and did not replace Roman numerals until about the date I reported. No I do not sell these.

[@tomdenny8507]

I don't use the golden ratio but I do try to "eyeball" about 1:3 on my turnings.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I:3 will generally work without getting crazy with measurements.

[@diydarkmatter]

well mike i dont use it or any measurement tools other then maybe a tape measure and a depth gauge . i just kinda wing it and let the wood tell me what it wants to look like . was never really good with numbers . but i get lucky most of the time and pull off what im doing . but it is interesting for sure . when you think about it everything in our universe is ruled by mathematical equations .

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

True that.

[@ScrapwoodCity]

To me the golden ration calipers is a good starting point. But the true golden ratio has to do with much more factors. For example in the Parthenon, nothing is basically straight. But it looks harmonious because the architect has taken into consideration, factors like the Athenian light, the viewers perspective the golden ratio and so much more. So to me the Φ analogy is a good starting point, but the artist should kind of fine tune it to his likeness a bit!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I agree. Thanks for sharing some good reasons why mathematical formulas by themsleves are not perfect for art.

[@thewoodman6039]

Again I came to the passionate wood turner to learn. I can always count on mike. Thanks, btw, if I knew half of what you know I think my head would explode. I'm joking or course, and they who know me are saying, " no he isn't ". 😂

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for your kind words and support.

[@csle1962]

Cool!

[@monophoto1]

Mike - another great video One of the problems is that most of the available plans for making Phi Calipers specify the dimensions of the pieces that make up the caliper. That's fine as long as you like the final dimensions of the plans you are using. Captain Eddy did a video many years ago in which he talked about the dimensions of the segments making up Phi Calipers in terms of a base dimension and a ratio. I did a post on the Penturners forum about a month ago which included a diagram that showed how this approach could be used to make calipers of any desired final dimensions. www.penturners.org/forum/f30/golden-ratio-caliper-159128/.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for posting your one pager. I put a link to it in my description. I guess I assumed a certain math ability for anyone wanting to make a set. I figured most viewers could take the dimensions and develop the ratios to scale up or down. But you know what they say about Assume making an ass out of you and me!

[@garymccoy2888]

Hey Mike, if you have a moment...Do you ever turn the headstock on your PowerMatic out towards you when turning the inside of a bowl? I saw another KZbinr do this and wondered if it was advisable. Thanks,

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I push it down to the end for better ergonomics. I think this may be what you saw if it was a PM. The HS weighs about 200#

[@garymccoy2888]

Mike Peace Woodturning . No, he didn’t mover to the end of the lathe, he just turned the head stock about 30 degrees so it hung out over the front. I have tried moving the HS to the end, but in my small shop I don’t have enough room to work. Just wondered if you thought the HS on our PowerMatics would be secure enough hanging out like that. Thanks Mike I really enjoy your instructional videos.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

@@garymccoy2888 The PM won't do that becasue of the way it fits into the bedway. It has to be part of the design. You see it in the Nova lathes and many of the British lathes. It is a feature of the Record Power lathe my club won. I will do a review after it arrives.

[@garymccoy2888]

Mike Peace Woodturning ...lol..I just discovered that yesterday when I tried to move it. Feeling a bit dumb.

[@johnrevill1087]

Too much talking just Get making most craftsmen and artists know the golden ratio

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Lots of my viewers are not artists and not yet crafts people. I never heard of phi calipers when I started woodturning. If my content is too basic for you, I understand and wish you good luck finding something more relevant for you.