bowl model

[Benjamin Dahl]

This is my first bowl. I want to turn some salad bowls soon and decided to make a small mock-up before the real deal. this was a chunk of wood from a fairly decomposed stump in a neighbor's yard. they were not sure what type of tree it was and I have no clue. in any case the wood was very punky. I used some CA to stabilize a few spots but it still was a little difficult to work with. the piece is 3.5 inches wide by 2.25 inches tall. it reminds me more of an ashtray than a salad bowl but hopefully once it is to scale it will work for me. suggestions welcome.
-Ben
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58940

[Mark Pruitt]

That's a neat looking piece of "dunno" wood, too bad you couldn't identify the species. You definitely have the basics down well. My only suggestion would be to take a little more off the outside near the bottom, making the curve more gentle. Be sure and post pics of the others when you get 'em done!

[Keith Burns]

Nice first bowl Benjamin.:) :) I agree with Mark about curving the sides more to the bottom.

[Benjamin Dahl]

thanks Mark and Keith, I agree that taking a little more off would make it more subtle and nice; will try that in future attempts. my mother had some straight sided salad bowls when I was growing up and I think that design was stuck in my head. I will make a few more design attempts before settling on one for my bowls.
Ben

[Bernie Weishapl]

That is a nice first bowl Benjamin. Ditto Keith and Mark.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Not bad for a first bowl! Experiment and you will find a form that just jumps out at you. Have fun and post pics of what you end up with!

[Glenn Hodges]

Benjamin, you chose some beautiful wood to make your first bowl from. Punky wood is not easily worked with so I congratulate you on your success. I know you will start looking at bowls more than ever now that you have started to turn them. This will give you good ideas about design. One design rule I try to adhere to is the bottom should be 1/3 the size of the top. This will give you a functionlly and a beartiful piece of work. You are on a great start, and I will look forward to more of your pictures posted here.

[George Tokarev]

That's an OK design - and a nifty piece of wood - for eating the salad out of, but serving wants broad and less deep for ease of toss, where stuff can't hide in a corner, and heaping up in the middle. Makes it easier to bring to the table by cradling it under the rim, too.

[John Hart]

Ben, I wouldn't dare give advice on form....seein's how I'm a formidiot.:rolleyes:
I'm guessin' that that is cherry. Had a whole garage full of rotten punky cherry once, and it looked just like that. ;)

[Paul Engle]

Just a note that salad bowl need wide foot. other wise lookin good :D

[Tom Sherman]

Nice bowl and great wood Ben

[Skip Spaulding]

Pretty wood, not bad at all for 1st bowl. I find that the wood sometimes dictates its own shape when i'm turning! I haven't been at it that long but this forum has really helped. Good luck with the salad bowls, looking forward to seeing them.

[Ernie Nyvall]

Nice first bowl Benjamin. I agree with others about the curved sides.

[James Duxbury]

Benjamin,

Nice bowl and a great first. Keep it to look back on in a few years. Good idea to start with something small too. You can make 5 bowls 5" dia in the time it takes to make one 12". To learn make a bunch of small, different shapes ones. Nice job.