advice on turning a bowl

Re: advice on turning a bowl

Brian, Boothbay Harbor

>Dave,

Just not enough information to help you. Switch to a scraper to finish the bowl.

Brian

Re: advice on turning a bowl

Dave

>So what tool should I use to turn the inside of the bowl?

Re: advice on turning a bowl

OB O'Brien (Pensacola, Fl.)

>Hi Dave; Looks like you have a good start. I would suggest a bowl gouge with a fingernail grind. Start at the outer edge and work towards the center. Start on centerline and as you proceed towards the center you can go slightly above center then drop back down as you get to the exact center of the bowl. Don't try to do it all at once. Take light cuts, ride the bevel and practice practice practice. You'll get it. Good luck. OB in Pensacola.

In addition...

revdoug

>to OB's suggestion, keep the flute facing the direction you are cutting. Thus, when turning the inside of the bowl, start at the rim, cut toward the center with the flute turned toward the center. Hope this helps.

Turn 'em round,

RevDoug

Re: advice on turning a bowl

Sean Troy

>Make sure your wearing dust protection with the spalted wood. Looks great, Sean

Re: advice on turning a bowl

Webster Gill

>If you are turning hickory you have one of the hardest of the domestic woods, especially when its dry. I suggest you save this blank and try turning a piece of green wood with more of an opening, (smaller base and larger opening)This will be easier to turn because you wont have the straight sides to contend with and green wood is much easier to turn.

Re: advice on turning a bowl

JamieDonaldson

>You would do yourself a service by viewing a bowl turning video like John Jordan's or getting some other turner nearby to show how. Learning by yourself can be a slow and unsatisfying journey.

Re: advice on turning a bowl

Dave Peebles Lyons,Ohio

>Hi Dave,

One of the first things I noticed it the near vertical shape of the bowl. That is in my opinion one of the toughest shapes to turn. You have no room to make a smooth cut from the lip of the bowl to the bottom. I would suggest that you try a more open bowl. The more open bowl will allow you to keep the bevel rubbing from rim to bottom. It will also allow you to not go so dead on into the end grain.

The best cuts seem to come from a shape that is more open.

The rules that I learned in the beginning of my journey were.... Point the flute in the direction of the cut. And ride the bevel. After a few bowls the second one is not as critical any more. I tend to turn a lot of bowls without riding the bevel these days. But it is still the best advise I have ever recieved.

Best wishes,

Dave

Re: advice on turning a bowl

Don Orr

>Dave, all the advice so far is excellant. My addition is books, videos, and try and find a turning club in your area. The AAW site can help you there (woodturner.org) You will meet some outstanding people who are outstanding turners as well as less experienced turners like your self. It has been my experience that turners, and woodworkers in general, are very eager to share their knowledge and experience as evidenced by this website.

The others are right about the shape also. My first bowl was exactly the same shape and it was not a good experience. When I opened up my forms things went much better. That's part of the learning process. You have asked an excellant question and provided great photos to help us help you.

Best of luck and happy and safe turning,

Don

Re: advice on turning a bowl

Dave

>Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm going shopping tomorrow for a bowl gouge and I ordered a book/video. I got some cherry logs too. Would that be better to start with?

Re: advice on turning a bowl

Barry

>The design of your bowl and your choice of wood is contributing to the difficulty in hollowing it. In a word, its too deep. You would find it much easier to hollow if the depth were abut half what it is. Plus, hickory is pretty hard and tough. If its green, it may turn okay. I'd let this piece go for its intended use (firewood) and switch to a cherry or maple blank.