First "real" bowl and surprised it came from red cedar

[Scott Brandstetter]

I am only in the turning game for a month or two but thanks to a lot of support from you guys I am moving forward in what I think is a positive way. As I mentioned in a previous thread, I got my chainsaw out on Thursday and had my way with a couple felled trees in a new development near me. On my last hunt of the day, I found a red cedar tree. Knowing nothing about anything (is it good wood to turn or not) I thought, what the heck, lets rip off a few blanks. To my surprise, I am so pleased with the bowl I've turned that I am going to go out in the morning and get the rest of the wood from the tree. I think there is at least 20 ft at 12 inches wide, not counting the limbs and so forth. Anyhow, a little nervous but here is my bowl.

 

[Breck Whitworth]

Nice first bowl, I love cedar because of the wonderful smell and the color is beautiful. Your first bowl is better than my first bowl. Congrates you are on your way. Save this one to compare your future ones too.

 

[Odie]

Yep, I'd say that's a darn good first attempt! 😀

ooc

 

[Owen Lowe]

Nicely done; you picked a very challenging shape. It’s not easy to cut the inside of a closing, recurved form.

The softwoods are also not the easiest of woods to work since they can tear out so easily. A really, really sharp tool is mandatory to get a clean cut. It looks like you have a little tearout on the shoulder and a bit on the inside. Try the form in a hardwood like cherry or maple and I think you’d be quite successful.

Again, nicely done.

 

[hockenbery]

Scott,

Nice looking bowl.

I used a lot of cedar in Christmas ornaments. It is generally an easy wood to turn.
Quite soft and easy to split.
It isn't a good choice for functional bowls because it is not strong or dent resistant and won't hold up to use.

You turned what most people call an end grain bowl. That is you hollowed the end grain to open the bowl.
End grain bowls are usually made for show as the side walls have to be rather thick to hold up to use.

Almost all functional bowls are hollowed through the face grain.
I consider it to be much more difficult to turn an end grain bowl than it is to turn a face grain bowl.

It appears that your end grain bowl was turned from a whole round. This means the center of the tree, we call it the pith, is in the bottom of the bowl.
This often cracks when drying. Most turnings are done from wood that does not contain the pith. Another aspect of the wood is the wonderful purple usually turns brown in time anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of years.

Have fun! Work safely, be sure toe wear a face sheild.
Stick with small pieces until you have repeatable skills.
people can get killed or seriously juried when bowls come apart

Al

 

[hockenbery]

Scott,
Keep that bowl in a safe place.
Look at it every ground hogs day.

Al

 

[Scott Brandstetter]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I also appreciate all of the tips and suggestions. I have so much to learn but having fun while i do it. Have a great week everyone.