Bottom Only

[Jon Lanier]

...of my first bowl. I've done the bottom and put a finish on it. Not sure if there is an exact way of doing it. But I just let it spin and put on some BLO, then shellac... several coats. Then some Renaissance Wax.

Can't do the 'top' until I get a 'Chuck'. Our local Woodcrafter is having a sale on the Teknitool Midi soon, so I'm just waiting. Saturday they are having Scott Phillips in, I'm going over to meet him.

Critics Welcome (how else will I learn)

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4961/firstbowl3xg0.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6236/firstbowl2qa1.jpg

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/2286/firstbowl1ty0.jpg

[Neal Addy]

Nice!

How big is the piece? And more importantly, how big is the foot? Will a chuck fit it?

[Dennis Peacock]

Nice piece there Jon.

One thing that will help you on the transition between the body of the bowl and the foot? No sharp corners. ;) Those sharp corners are a real PAIN to try and get sandpaper down in there to get a clean surface at that particular transition point. I still try and get a sharp transition, but it never fails that I can't get a clean surface inside that 90º angle....so just put a "slight" curve to transition to the foot and roll the foot with sandpaper to a slight "bead" shape and follow that slight curve into the center of the bowl on the foot.

For me, getting a nice clean looking bottom and foot is one of my greatest challenges. I'm still trying different ways to get a nice clean looking foot on my bowls and I'll keep trying ways until I find one that works well for me.

Your form looks real good and if your bowl is to be a utility type bowl, then the larger size foot will provide the stability that will be needed when it's being used without tipping over.

Get you a scroll chuck....it makes a LOT of difference in how you turn and how well you finish the bowl off. I wouldn't know how to turn without one any more. :D

I hope I haven't confused you with all my 'splainin'.....just trying to help so you don't have to learn the hard way.......like I did. ;)

[Jon Lanier]

Neal, I'd say it is about 6.5"

Dennis, Thanks for all the advice. I understand now what your are saying about sharp corners. Ugh! Where was all that gunk coming from? The inside of the footer is 2.75"

Thanks.

[Jim Becker]

Jon, you don't need a chuck to finish the bowl. Remove the finish from inside the recess of the bottom and glue on a waste block. Once the glue is cured, mount it between centers, using the screw holes of your faceplate to find the center of the "top" and play with it (power off) until you have the rim spinning true. Tighten the tailstock and then spin it up so you can true your waste block/tenon to about the same diameter as your faceplate. Take the piece off the lathe and carefully mount the faceplate to your waste block. Remount the piece on the lathe and turn the interior, including finishing. (You may need to true and refinish the outside...)

In the future, do the waste block thing with your faceplate from the start...you can turn the whole thing without reversing, for the most part and then jam it between centers using a pad to protect the interior as you clean up the bottom. This is a great way to turn smaller things even when you own a chuck!

[Bill Ragland]

...of my first bowl. I've done the bottom and put a finish on it. Not sure if there is an exact way of doing it. But I just let it spin and put on some BLO, then shellac... several coats. Then some Renaissance Wax.

Can't do the 'top' until I get a 'Chuck'. Our local Woodcrafter is having a sale on the Teknitool Midi soon, so I'm just waiting. Saturday they are having Scott Phillips in, I'm going over to meet him.

Critics Welcome (how else will I learn)

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4961/firstbowl3xg0.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6236/firstbowl2qa1.jpg

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/2286/firstbowl1ty0.jpg


Very Nice Jon. If that's your first bowl you should be beaming with pride. Heck it turned out round! What more could one ask for on the first bowl.

[Jon Lanier]

I just put on a coat of BLO. Leaving for football game right now.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/2927/wb4fs4.jpg

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/4518/wb3og1.jpg