Results 1 to 15 of 59

Thread: Processing a Bowl Blank - Pics

Threaded View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Conway, Arkansas
    Posts
    13,181

    Processing a Bowl Blank - Pics

    With all the newcomers here on SMC with questions about bowl turning and drying roughed out blanks, I figured it was time to post something about how I go through the process. I may not be "right" about my process, but it's the way I do it anyway. Ask 10 turners about turning a bowl and you'll get 15 different answers.

    So here goes......

    1st Pic - This is a Pecan bowl blank that I needed to get roughed out and thought I'd use it for this article/process of showing how I go through the process. It's just over 19" in diameter and weighs around 40 pounds since it's wet wood. It's mounted to a 3" faceplate with good steel screws and I also slide up the tailstock to provide that "captured" security while spinning a heavy bowl blank on the lathe. I used my 5/8" bowl gouge to rough it out on the outside and worked on getting my rough form of the bowl.

    2nd Pic - This is what I've finished roughing out the outside and bottom of the bowl. I've also since moved the tailstock out of the way and turned off the small nub left where the tailstock was holding the bowl blank. I've also turned the tenon on the bottom so I can mount it to my Super Nova Chuck. I use a tenon as it's difficult to crush a tenon. I used to mount via a recess and expanded the chuck jaws into the recess, but I began cracking bowl blanks that way, so I went back to the tenon process and haven't had a problem since. You CAN apply too much pressure on the tenon and it will snap the tenon off if you get a catch while turning. So apply clamping pressure but not so much to where you start really crimping the wood. That's too tight....back it off just a tad.

    3rd Pic - This is after I've removed the bowl and reverse mounted it on the Super Nova Chuck and hollowed out the inside of the bowl. Now...I do use the tailstock while working the inside of the bowl as well. I then slide the tailstock out of the way and turn away the "spindle" that's left from where the tailstock was. I then use my 3/8" bowl scraper to flush and smooth everything out on the insde of the bowl.

    Continued on the next post.....
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by Dennis Peacock; 08-15-2006 at 7:34 PM.
    Thanks & Happy Wood Chips,
    Dennis -
    Get the Benefits of Being an SMC Contributor..!
    ....DEBT is nothing more than yesterday's spending taken from tomorrow's income.

Similar Threads

  1. A NEW TOOL "PLUG & PLAY BOWL TURNER"
    By Bill Stevener in forum Turner's Forum
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 07-23-2005, 10:21 PM
  2. The babys first bowl
    By Jim Ketron in forum Turner's Forum
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 06-08-2005, 4:52 AM
  3. Osage Orange bowl with paduak rim
    By Dominic Greco in forum General Woodworking and Power Tools
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 06-11-2004, 3:39 PM
  4. Textured Cherry Bowl
    By Dominic Greco in forum General Woodworking and Power Tools
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 05-10-2004, 1:06 PM
  5. Cherry Salad Bowl
    By Dominic Greco in forum General Woodworking and Power Tools
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 04-17-2004, 5:20 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •