My first turning attempt - w/pics

[Tom Sweeney]

OK here it is - I posted about this bowl last night & John asked for a picture. The wood is from a really cool Maple tree that I cut down a few years ago. The tree rotted from the inside - but there is a fair amount of good turning wood to get from it.

The bowl is about 3 1/2" high by about 6" round. I left a few natural defects in place - I'm a little worried about the crack - but I think it will be all right. it has some nice curl & grain patterns - I meant to leave a small bark inclusion near the rim but got too aggressive with the gouge.

I need to figure out how to deal with the foot & put some more stain on.

It has 1 coat of golden maple gel stain that I thinned down & applied while turning.
If you want to see all the pics just <a href="http://www.realtymarketing.com/wood/bowl.htm" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>
HMM the attachment link didn't work - here's the pics
<img src="http://www.realtymarketing.com/wood/bowlinside2.jpg"><br>
<img src="http://www.realtymarketing.com/wood/bowlside2.jpg">

Thanks for looking

[Don Farr]

Really nice Tom. I can't wait to try my hand at it.

[Dan Bussiere]

I wouldn't dare put my first turning pic on this or any other forum. I admit I would if it had turned out that nice. Anyone who wants to see my first turning will have to find it because it is well hidden. Great job!!!
Dan

[Ron McNeil]

Tom,

Very nice bowl. You did a great job. If that was your first turning then it appears you have a hidden talent. Nice work

[John Miliunas]

I wouldn't dare put my first turning pic on this or any other forum. I admit I would if it had turned out that nice. Anyone who wants to see my first turning will have to find it because it is well hidden. Great job!!!
Dan

Hey Tom, thanks for including the pics! I totally agree with Dan on this one. Heck, I "hid" my first effort so well, I'm not even sure I still have it! :D As for the foot of the bowl, see my post on the your other lathe thread, as in, you'll now be spending time (and $$) for some of the goodies that go with accomplishing such tasks! Yeah, there are other ways to do it, but you've got a great excuse for another addition for your tool collection! :D Nice job and keep up the good work. :cool:

[Von Bickley]

Tom,
Great looking bowl. Hard to imagine that it's your first. Keep up the good work and thanks for the pictures.

[Joe Tonich]

Tom,
You did that as a first with:

"Any way I got out my awsome array of turning tools

1 Craftsman 1/2 " Gouge
2 Harbor Freight hand chisels
1 4 1/2 " Grinder to keep a keen edge on those premium tools"

I'm throwing away my tools and starting over! :D
Maybe mine will look like that! Good job!

Joe

[Tom Sweeney]

I'm real happy with the way it turned out- especially considering my history with all my flat projects to this point - I might have to just sell all my flat working tools & just turn bowls :D

Joe I did have a lot of problem with tearout due to my less than stellar array of tools & the lathe vibrating like a jack hammer, not to mention not knowing the proper technique - but it turned out fine, thanks to some heavy sanding.

Don - Your going to have fun when you get your new toy set up :) I would recommend some kind of good dust collection though - these things throw an awful lot of chips & dust.

Thanks for the encouragement. I have a fair amount of wood to turn from this tree so I'll be working on my turning & tool sharpening techniques in the coming months. :cool: