Mark Kelly
02-28-2005, 11:42 AM
This weekend, I finally was able to rough out the second ambrosia maple bowl blank from Jim. This on was a little smaller diameter but a little deeper. I tried some different ways of holding the tool...trying to find that sweet spot. This time I didn't have to use a scraper! I know it sounds silly, but it is a big step for me. However, I am still doing some stuff wrong, or at least I think I am.
I can get the outside of the bowl considerably smooth. However the end-grain is very fuzzy and whatever I try it comes out fuzzy. (I have not tried a shear cut yet, so maybe that would work?) Then I thought maybe it was the way I sharpen the tool. I just grind it on the 60 grit wheel I have. Should I use the 120 grit to sharpen the gouge?
On the inside of the bowl, I finally got it to the point where I can ride the bevel about half way in the bowl before my tool handle hits the base of the lathe. Is my tool too long? The tool is about 20" total. Maybe I need a bigger lathe?? :)
For the life of my, I cannot get the inside smooth. It has ridges all the way. Since it is a rough-out I don't worry about it for now, but I do want to get better so I will have less work in the future.
To practice more for finishing cuts I turned a pine bowl out of a piece of 2x6. My kids think it is great so it will be theirs when it is finished.
I can get the outside of the bowl considerably smooth. However the end-grain is very fuzzy and whatever I try it comes out fuzzy. (I have not tried a shear cut yet, so maybe that would work?) Then I thought maybe it was the way I sharpen the tool. I just grind it on the 60 grit wheel I have. Should I use the 120 grit to sharpen the gouge?
On the inside of the bowl, I finally got it to the point where I can ride the bevel about half way in the bowl before my tool handle hits the base of the lathe. Is my tool too long? The tool is about 20" total. Maybe I need a bigger lathe?? :)
For the life of my, I cannot get the inside smooth. It has ridges all the way. Since it is a rough-out I don't worry about it for now, but I do want to get better so I will have less work in the future.
To practice more for finishing cuts I turned a pine bowl out of a piece of 2x6. My kids think it is great so it will be theirs when it is finished.