What’s on your lathe?

[Tim Joslin]

Less than 20 bowls done so I’m keeping it simple.

 

[robo hippy]

I am attaching 2 photos of the process I used on an end grain bowl, however the amount of material in the bottom may not be enough to make that continuous curve. The grain orientation appears to be side grain on yours, so you would need to have a balky leg to make up for the weak side grain. The way you are set up you will not need the live center support as shown here, however your setup will not work for a natural edge bowl.
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The continuous curve was checked with a profile transfer gauge that easily shows if the curve is continuous on both sides of the leg ring with a small cup center holding the bowl against the jam/friction chuck. On this bowl I marked the locations of the leg by setting the index then made a pencil mark off the tool rest and moving to the next index point, 120 degrees for 3 legs or 90 degrees for 4 legs. The marking jig as shown is used to mark each leg to assure similar contour.
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This shows that the contour of the legs was cut close to the lines and then beginning to cut out the material between the legs. The final shaping can be done with files, sand paper, carving knives or whatever works for you.

If you are using a chuck to expand into that recess, the shoulder I am referring to appears to be about 1/4 inch on the rim and maybe 1/2 inch thick on the bottom where it meets the curve of the bowl. I use a recess exclusively on my bowls and platters.

robo hippy

 

[Kent Reisdorph]

Quick turn today and will have to finish sanding tomorrow.

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Nice white sapwood. Was the tree cut down recently?

 

[Aaron Harris]

Well drive over to western NC and I’ll fix you you up with a blank or two. I have about 13 more foot this diameter, 20-24”, and about a 8’ section around 14” diameter. I’m going to turn a few more bowls out of it then try some hollow forms. I’m hoping the rest is marked up like this!
Core is around 13”.

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Wow, it doesn't get any better than curly ambrosia maple!

 

[David Wyke]

Nice white sapwood. Was the tree cut down recently?

Probably been down a couple months. I’ve been trying to get to it before it sat to long, just been busy lately.

 

[David Wyke]

Wow, it doesn't get any better than curly ambrosia maple!

I’m hoping it is still there on the final turn. I rough turned the mating side and it also has the curly showing some.

 

[David Wyke]

I turned the mating side of the maple this afternoon. It is also showing some curly maple with the ambrosia. Hopefully I’ll start a hollow form this weekend and see how it looks. 17” and 13” core.

 

[Gary Beasley]

I finished turning a red maple blank I had put away several years ago. I had to seal and fill the inclusion with CA before starting. This is the first time trying out Howards Feed and Wax, the results look pretty nice.

 

[Aaron Harris]

I turned the mating side of the maple this afternoon. It is also showing some curly maple with the ambrosia. Hopefully I’ll start a hollow form this weekend and see how it looks. 17” and 13” core.

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I had some curly maple with a little bit of ambrosia a couple of years ago; I made a shallow bowl with it. I need to put my tree-man on finding some more. He can usually get me what I want if I'm patient.

 

[Alan Weinberg]

I made a simple bowl out of a badly cracked piece of spalted sugarberry, had put some thin CA in the crack. Was just about done and was then going to black epoxy it—was refining/finishing the bottom with the piece on the Cole, when BAM! It exploded into 2 pieces, virtually in half. It was actually good because I could see how even my hollowing was. I used Titebond, then black epoxy after it had been clamped a couple hours. Will clean it up and repost. Wood is too pretty not to finish.