Walnut Salad Bowl

[Deane Allinson]

I had a Plain Jane piece of walnut. I started out thinking of a salad bowl but since I eat things that eat salads, I ended up trying an off-set turning. It was a little spooky until I got used to it. I had to add a lot of weight and tie-downs to the lathe to keep it from walking across the room. 10 1/2" dia. x 2 1/2" tall.
Deane

[Harvey Ghesser]

Very abstract, Deane. Be very careful with an off center turning this size (as I'm sure you've found out!) The lathe rocks and rolls because the blank tries but can't.

[charlie knighton]

very nice, i like a lot of wood in a bowl, the off center is added bonus

[Jeff Nicol]

Deane, This kind of turning does turn the very "Plain Jane" wood as you mentioned into a conversation piece and the mass gives it the look and feel of strength. I too have always like the heavy and thick bowls and the offset works of any type so you won me over right away! As you did not add anything to distract from the offset divot, your eyes are drawn right to the bowl.

Simple looking, but a bear to turn,

Jeff

[Faust M. Ruggiero]

Plain Jane walnut? Well you sure turned it into something unique. Well done and I'm glad you turned it without mishap.
faust

[Nate Davey]

Nice job Deane, like Jeff I like a heavier bowl. This one is great.

[Jake Helmboldt]

Nice form Deane. I've been thinking about turning an off-center bowl like that but have been trying to decide how best to go about it. Can you share how you did the off-center turning?

[Greg Just]

Very nice, the offset makes this unique.

[John W Dixon]

I guess I'm the opposite of a few of the commenters. I don't typically like a lot of wood(mass) in bowls but I just love this piece. The offset sure adds visual interest. Very nicely done and I'll bet it was a bear to turn.

[Deane Allinson]

Can you share how you did the off-center turning?

I'm hesitant to tell because it might be a dumb approach. I wish that more experienced turners will correct since I just figure it out as I go along.

1) I attached a 3" face plate to the round blank.
2) I removed 2 of the 3 screws and rotated the face plate until one of the holes lined up with a new face plate hole. (about 1 1/8")
3) mounted outboard and turned on the lathe. Chickened out. lathe was hopping around.
4) remounted back on center and turned bottom to shape get some weight off.
5) remounted off-set. Not as bad now, but I had added 150lbs to base to finish-out offset hole.
6) removed and used donut chuck to turn face plate holes and round bottom.
7) it spins with a full rounded bottom. I'm easily entertained.
Deane

[Baxter Smith]

Looks great Deane! I had to chuckle at step 3 since it sounded so familiar.:)

[Jim Burr]

Ha!!!! That is just fantastic!!! And it does take a nice humble piece of anywood and makes it say "bam!!".

[Eric Gourieux]

Nicely done! You did a great job on the finish, too.

[Dick Wilson]

Deane, I really like it. Very simple design, clean lines, great wood.....priceless.

[Mike Tilley]

Nice job Deane a definite eye catcher

[Thomas Canfield]

Your move to Cuero has really made you step out. Nice job and looks like you are finding wood and time. The small hollow really does catch your eye, and has a nice curve. I would probably tried to make a larger hollow, and then it would not look or "rock" as well.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Nice bowl Deane out of a great looking piece of walnut.

[Michelle Rich]

you must have had fun chasing that lathe across the room! been there, done that!! My only suggestion is turn away as much as you can before you go off center , and also you can put weights on the light side..just like one does on wheels when one gets new tires. this really does help.

[Tim Rinehart]

Well done Deane. I like your steps too...made me chuckle to.
I have yet to try an off-center turning like this...hmmm, I do have today off....

[Steve Mawson]

Very nice piece, especially like step 7. Thanks for the idea of something I would like to try, perhaps not as big on the first one.

[Scott Hackler]

Nice work. I like this unique approach to dressing up a plain piece of wood.

[Jon Nuckles]

Very sleek, Deane! I like the modern look and clean lines. I might have to buy some dry wood and try one myself. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Deane - that looks great! Very cool modern art effect!

[Scott Lux]

I lack the nerve to try that, but I really like it. Very nice indeed. I love the fact it spins. That would keep me entertained too.

[Doug Herzberg]

Deane, I really like it, too. Nice lines and it looks very smooth. Great job.

[John Keeton]

Deane, I missed this one! Very unique and the mass of walnut looks great. I love the soft looking finish you achieved - makes one want to touch it.

[Dan Forman]

That's really nice Deane, way to think outside the bowl. :)

Dan