Technique advice please

Re: Technique advice please

adrien

>end grain or side?

Re: Technique advice please

ken chase

>Sorry. End grain. It took a long time to hollow and I want to take it to about 3/8 when it is dry.

Re: Technique advice please

Rick Allen

>Try a hook tool or a ring tool to get a cleaner cut. There is a bit of a learning curve with these tools, come to think of it there was a bit of a learning curve with a bowl gouge. Anyway the sanding effort can be reduced by working with cutting tools instead of scraping tools.

Good Luck

Re: Technique advice please

RevDoug

>Try backing your rest away from the wood and raising it up above center. This arrangement should allow you to present the scraper with a slightly downward angle when you scrape it on center.

Turn 'em round,

RevDoug

Re: Technique advice please

Brad Vietje

>Ken,

You're in luck. Mesquite has the reputation of being one of the most stable woods in North America -- meaning that it generally doesn't warp much, and doesn't usually crack when it dries. This rule of thumb usually applies to the darker heartwood, and frankly, I don't know about the sapwood, which you seem to have all around the rim. Now there ARE a number of different species of Mesquite, and a Southwest turner who is more expert in Mesquite than I ought to chime in here, but I'd go ahead and make it 3/8 inch right now.

Do you have the pith right in the center of the foot ? You might very well get away with that with Mesquite, but with most woods, you'll have to make it much thinner, and apply CA inside and out to get away with that.

Rev Doug's advice about the scraper and the toolrest height sounds good to me. Your access is also limited by the shape you've selected -- If I were making this, I'd have used the Martel Hool Tool.

For sanding, I use a 1/2" dowel with a split cut in the end, into which I stick folded sandpaper. I use it with the toolrest in place, as you would a gouge. You can also wrap it around the end (which should be rounded), and slowly rotate the thing as you sand. The paper or cloth should be wound in the same direction as the bowl is spinning. Good luck...

Safe Spinning,

Brad Vietje

Thetford, VT

Rev Doug is on the right track

Dave Smith, Longview, WA

>Hi Ken,

A negative angle for the scraper will make it easier to remove small shavings. Work from the outside in to go with the fibers and reduce tear out. Make sure the scraper is shape. I prefer to hone the top of the scraper for a smooth sharp edge with no burr to get a smooth finish.

Good luck!

I wish I could make it down to your place while in Hesperia, CA. We wont have a lot of time. If you can make the trek to Hesperia I can bring some wood along. Let me know.

Dave Smith

Going to do some turning today in Longview, WA.

Re: Rev Doug is on the right track

GaryG in MD

>Dave, please correct me if I'm wrong, but Ken said that this is an end-grain bowl. If that's the case, isn't it true that you want to scrape frome the inside out to get the smoothest cut? Or is that just for cutting tools? ...Gary

You are right Gary, my mistake.

Dave Smith, Longview, WA

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