Bowl Bottom Finder

[Peter Blair]

I have hesitated to post this jig to this forum mainly because it seems to me all Creekers are far too advanced turners to need anything like this but just in case there are others out there who are still learning, I finally decided to give it a shot.

The reason I made this jig was because I really wanted to control the bottom thickness of my work. I usually finish bowls with a vacuum chuck and frequently, especially with NE bowls and others with strange rims.

I made it with 'stuff' I had laying around my shop so it didn't cost me anything and sure gives me a lot of confidence when finishing the bottoms of my bowls.

If you are interested check it out here http://woodbowlsandthings.wordpress.com/

[Steve Busey]

Nice jig, Peter, but I can't help but think you're taking unneeded steps with measurements. Seems you could just align the arm with the end of your vacuum chuck, then mount the bowl/platter/etc and off you go!

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Wow nice write-up. Thanks. You do know that finding the bottom of a bowl is not only a problem with a vacuum chuck. Any chuck hides the bottom of the bowl...

[Peter Blair]

Hey Steve. That would work IF the bottom of my bowls were flat, not usually the case.

[Steve Busey]

would work IF the bottom of my bowls were flat, not usually the case. Ah, good point. I like the simplicity of the idea - good luck!

[Jack Gaskins]

Its just easier to cover the funnel hole with duct tape.........works like a charm!

[Peter Blair]

That's really good Jack, do you have a preference for the colour of the Duct tape?

[Steve Vaughan]

@Peter, use camo...then you wouldn't even see it.:D

[Peter Blair]

Not only are Creekers good turners but funny too!!