Got the chuck! The first bowl/dish/???

[John Keeton]

UPS finally brought my Nova G3. Already had the Cole jaws. I really didn't want to destroy a decent piece of wood, and I had some cherry leg stock that was about 5x3.5. I cut off a piece, and resawed it in half to 1.75 or so. And, this is what I got (sorry for the poor focus on the pic in the Cole jaws - forgot to set the macro)
135968

135969

135970

135971

135972

135973
It ain't much!:o And, it sure don't count as a bowl!!:eek:

But, it is the first non-spindle round thing that I have done. Measures 4.75 x 1.

BLO and a quick rub with shellac while on the lathe. Not sure I will do much more with it as it is not exactly heirloom quality!:D

Thanks, again, to everyone for the encouragement, taunting, dares, etc. I do have to admit - it was a bunch of fun. I LOVE the Thompson bowl gouge!

And, thanks again Gary Z. for the medallions! Thought it worked out well in the bottom.

I still have the heat on in the shop, and hope to play with another tomorrow before my daughter and family get it for Christmas!!

[David Christopher]

John, that looks really good...I think youve been pulling our leg..looks like youve been doing this for awhile

[gary Zimmel]

You got to love it when a plan come together John....
Sweet looking first bowl.

I'm thinking you can get a couple more done before your daughter gets to your place for Xmas...

[Richard Madison]

That's a very nice dish John. You are on your way to greatness.

[Greg Just]

nice job - great looking bowl

[Bernie Weishapl]

For your first that is a beauty. I would put that one on the shelf and compare it a year from now. Well done.

[Sean Hughto]

Great work, John! Those are sure some smooth curves for a first bowl. I'm impressed.

I like to think we long time flat woodworkers have some natural affinity and experience with wood and applying blades to them. ;-) Shows in your "beginners" effort.

[Dan Forman]

Mighty fine bowl John! Looks like you are well on your way. With green wood it get REALLY fun.

Dan

[charlie knighton]

very nice, you are in now

[Dahl Troy Perry]

John that shure don't look like a first bowl to me they aren't to look that good the first time.:D:D:D

[Ken Fitzgerald]

John,

You must have been a turner in a former life!

Very, very nice for a first bowl! Very nice!

You done us proud!

[Kenneth Whiting]

That's a very nice bowl John. Good job for a first.

[Steve Mawson]

I have to agree with everyone else, very nice. I especially like the way you signed the bottom. Have not seen that before.

[Steve Schlumpf]

John - very impressive bowl! Love turning Cherry as the wood takes beautiful details, smells great and ages to perfection!

So, how did you like using a chuck for the first time?

[Ted Calver]

John, You're a natural! As Bernie said, keep that one to look back on--and for M&M's to remind yourself how sweet the vortex is. :)

[John Keeton]

Thanks guys, for all the nice comments. This thing is so small, when I look at it I don't feel like I have accomplished much. You all are being gracious by calling it a bowl!:o

It was a nice practice piece, and allowed me to try some of the cuts Grumbine did in the DVD - though I struggled with some of them. The cherry is sweet to turn, but I have no sense of smell. When I see you all talk about all the different woods, and how they smell, I know I am missing something. Most of the time I never think about it.

Steve S., the chuck was NEAT!! Really makes a difference in the way one approaches the wood. I am looking forward to trying some different things - but, as you all planned!:D;), I fear I will need some more new toys! I can't get in to the inside of a rounded over bowl. I guess that is technically hollowing. More research is in order!

Steve M., the "signing" on the bottom is actually a maple medallion that has been laser cut and engraved - compliments of Gary Zimmel. Gary had a bunch of them done by George Perzel, and had a few done with my name on them. They work really well in flat work. The sit snuggly in a 1.5" Forstner hole, and are recessed for the penny. On the dish I scooped out for the recess, and cleaned up the edge with a parting tool.

I want to get in some more practice runs before taking on some of the beautiful wood you all sent to me. Thanks, again, for sucking me into this mess!!:D:D:D

[Brian Effinger]

If the grain runs perpendicular to the lathe, it wasn't turned between centers, and M&M's can't roll out of it, then it is a bowl in my book. And a good looking bowl too. You should be proud.

I knew my taunting about seeing pictures of a bowl would work! ;) :p :D :)

[Jon Finch]

Looks perfect to me!

[Joshua Dinerstein]

Very impressive. Nice form and figure. I like it. Keep up the great work!

Remind me to never ever post pictures of my first bowl. :)

Joshua

[art san jr]

Nice job John. Would never believe that's your first bowl. Impressive !!!!

Art.

[mike holden]

Nicely done!

Mike

[Mauricio Ulloa]

Awesome job! You're a natural!!!!! Congratulations!!!!

[ROY DICK]

John,
That is one fine looking bowl.
Maybe a segmented hollow form is next? Congrats, we all knew you would enjoy this type of turning.

Roy

[Tony De Masi]

Thanks guys, for all the nice comments. This thing is so small, when I look at it I don't feel like I have accomplished much. You all are being gracious by calling it a bowl!:o

John, I believe you are assuming that something small cannot be either well done or a challenge. I must discourage that kind of thinking here:)

If my first bowl/dish/platter came out that nice I would have kept it instead of putting in the burn pile. Very well done John.

Tiger

[Rob Cunningham]

Very nice bowl John. Are you sure you are new to this turning stuff?

[Ken Hensley]

John, as others have said it doesn't look like a first. Great job. I have followed along as the gang has taunted you on and I am glad they have you are a natural. Can't wait to see future peices. Have fun.

Ken

[Bill Bolen]

Nicly done John. I really like the signature insert. Cool idea. OK,,,,so you have been turning since 197? and were just fooling us right?...Bill...

[Terry Murphy]

Sure looks like a bowl to me.
Great job!
Thanks for sharing

Terry

[Kyle Iwamoto]

That can't possibly be a first.... I wish my bowls NOW look that good. :D

Nice!

[John Keeton]

Thanks again for taking the time to look and comment!!

This bowl/dish/thing was certainly not the first product of my lathe. Since getting the ol' HF back in September, I have done some practice spools, a set of table legs, and several ornaments - but, this is the first bowl like object that I have turned.

I do agree with Sean Hughto that "flat woodworkers have some natural affinity and experience with wood and applying blades to them." And, honestly, I think the spindle work is much easier than doing the bowls. Using the skew and gouges did make the learning curve a bit easier for the bowl gouge - and, the Grumbine video REALLY helps!

Thanks again, guys! I am having a bunch of fun - and, it is all your fault!!!:D

[Baxter Smith]

Not a bowl? Then think of it as a really nice coaster to hold one heck of a stein while you work on your other turning attributes!;)

[Jim Kountz]

Ok John Im having a hard time believing you've never done this before!! This looks fantastic, the details and the finish are first rate!! You have a touch thats for sure, cant wait to see what you turn next.

[Harvey M. Taylor]

Open the chute, cowboy, John is comin'out ridin'the vortex bull.Max