Rough Bowl Turning
by Phil Colson
Woodturner
I am always looking for a more efficient way to do things.
I had received a few green logs from a friend. They weren't very large, about eight to ten inches in diameter. It was mostly limb wood and not very round.
I split them on the bandsaw to get the diameter squared (same length and diameter). Normally I would grab a disk of the appropriate size and draw a circle with a marker to get it round before putting it on the lathe. Not this time. I was in a hurry and so I decided to just put it on the lathe the way it was. I could always round it and rough turn the bowl from a square piece.
On the first piece, I had ten to turn, I started thinking about the bowl in the piece. I always look for the bowl in the piece of wood before I start to turn. I started to turn and the bowl appeared, it was well defined, and I could see the rest of the material that needed to be removed.
I took it off the lathe and went to the bandsaw. I could see exactly where to cut it round.
I did the other nine pieces the same way and found it was faster for me. This method allows me to see the bowl and make any adjustments necessary before it is cut round.
Try it and let me know what you experience doing it this way.
Phil can be reached directly via email at
woodturnerphil@gmail.com
.
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