The helix is not a form in common use in woodworking these days. Popular in antique furniture, perhaps it has simply fallen out of fashion, or is it in part that it requires either uncommon machinery or handtool skills?
Table from 1650
Bookcase from 1870
Barley Twist
Barley Twist Bed
For whatever reason, the carved helix is MIA (also called a Barley Twist)
I was walking in the bush a day or so ago, and was very interested to find that the helix is so easy, it is a natural form in nature.
No carving or machinery necessary.
Barley twist tree
It was the result of a vine trying to strangle a tree as it grew. In this instance, the tree won.
Forgot to mention, and I’ll leave you with this thought:
Unpowered lathe + Torque Workcentre = Helix!
I do need to couple the linear motion of the TWC to the rotary motion of the lathe, but that is just where it gets interesting……….
Filed under: Techniques, Timber Tagged: Antique furniture, Barley, Bookcase, Helix
