bowl blank prep.

[John Daugherty]

I am new to turning and am starting to try my hand at bowls. My question is about bowl blanks. When I prep a blank to turn, does the grain run parallel to the bed of the lathe or do I cut it to run perpendicular or does it matter?


Thanks

[Jack Diemer]

Not sure how to answer your question, but the simple way to cut a bowl blank is you take a log, cut it in half, Get your protractor out and start making circles on the split part of the log, and band saw out the rest. You can also go to Bill Grumbine's site if you want pictures.

[Jim Becker]

Most "bowls" are turned with the grain oriented across the bed; so-called "faceplate" orientation. Hollow vessels are often turned in end-grain (spindle) orientation...with the grain parallel to the bed.