dough bowl carving

related skill

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

While this kitchen item is commonly collected here in E.TN. I have never seen anyone make reproductions. I would think the market for new dough bowls would be thin. I have been told that buckeye was a favored wood. Short of harvesting a tree I don't know where a suitable chunk of buckeye could be obtained.

It would seem that the tools and techniques used to shape and hollow a Windsor chair could be employed. Maybe you can find a local chair maker to teach using the scooping tool and draw knife for the outside.

When you figure it all out post the process and result.

book

John K Jordan

I have a book somewhere with details of dough bowl making in Appalachia. I'll see if I can find it.

I've also sent a query to the Museum of Appalachia (just a few miles from here).

I remember reading that various local wood species were use, but Yellow Poplar was popular.

JKJ

Foxfire?

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

Maybe one of the Foxfire books would have a discussion. On topics I know something about these books have authentic information.

Fun!

Tony - Memphis

Ought to be a fun thing to learn and do. I have one that has been passed down a few generations. My mom remembers it being used when she was a youngster. Very crude by today's standards. I have no idea what wood it is or how or who made it. I have assumed it was made by a family member. I have a rolling pin that came the same path. It is pretty rough too.

"Sculpting Traditional Bowls"

Chuck Nickerson

by Rip & Tammi Mann. It tells you quite a bit but in the end the real learning happens when your chisel slices the wood.

David Fisher *LINK*

Dick Coers

I'm incredibly impressed with David's work after seeing it in Fine Woodworking.


https://www.finewoodworking.com/videoworkshop/2017/11/carve-greenwood-bowl-david-fisher

Re: David Fisher X 2 *LINK*

Keith Newton

I was impressed by seeing his portfolio on the “Collectors of Wood Art” site. His work qualifies as art to my eye.


http:/http://collectorsofwoodart.org/artist/portfolio/

Re: Foxfire?

John K Jordan

That was the one place I planned to check. I have the set.

JKJ

Re: dough bowl carving

Don Stephan

Wonder if this would have been an episode of Roy Underhill's show, and if so if the episode would be available on the web site.

*** Foxfire book 4

John K Jordan

I found two things on making dough bowls (or dough trays, or bread trays, or simply "bowls") starting on page 93 in the chapter on Woodcarving. One has a drawing with some dimension info, all about tools, splitting the wood, carving. The other has a series of photos. I didn't read it all but the second guy said usually used yellow poplar but also liked walnut.

This is the edition I have:

https://www.amazon.com/Foxfire-Trading-Sassafras-Buckets-Gardening/dp/0385120877

It's hard looking through Foxfire books without getting totally distracted. Chapters on the various wood species in Appalachia and what they were used for, about chestnut, making a foot-powered lathe, making instruments from scratch, metal working, ceramics, bee keeping, raising sheep, cooking, snake handling... It's been years since I read them all but I could easily read them all again, starting today if I let myself.

JKJ

Re: dough bowl carving

Michael van pelt

thanks for all,the great suggestions!

Re: dough bowl carving

William Duffield

Peter Follansbee has a video on the subject, produced and offered by Lie-Nielsen Toolworks:

https://www.lie-nielsen.com/product/home-education-videos/hewing-wooden-bowls-with-peter-follansbee?node=4243

Re: dough bowl carving

Don Evans

There is the old way with hand tools only and there is the new way with power tools (4.5" angle grinder) and finishing the inside of the walls with hand tools.

There are 2 types of cutters for the grinder, one is a round disk with the edge of it doing the cutting, one of them is called a Lancelot I cannot remember who makes those and there is another new design but still uses the grinder it is a shaft with a ball cutter on the end of it, I think Arbortech makes it.

Both of these will fairly quickly remove the inside wood then go back with handle chisels to finish it up.

Craft Supplies in Utah has lot of learning videos and they may have one that shows these tools in action.

When I first saw the cutters for the grinder my thought was that they would be dangers to us but testimonials say different.

Don

Re: dough bowl carving

Barry Irby

I talked to a fellow yesterday who made dough tray and bowls with out a lathe. He did it the way Don mentioned and appeared to be baffled by the idea of using hand tools. Angle grinders, Lancelot and Arbortech were words that came up. He was making mostly art bowls.