DIY Network

Finishing the Bowl From "Woodturning Techniques" episode DWTT-107

The natural edge bowl is near completion, but needs just a little more work.

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Steps:

1. The bowl interior is finished using very light pressure from the tool. The tool bevel is placed ahead of the cut to make a smooth entrance to the cut (figure A). Because the edge of the bowl is thin and flexible, care must be given not to press too hard with the tool (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

2. When the hollowing is complete, the bowl is sanded while rotating in the lathe, with the drill rotating in the opposite direction, creating an aggressive motion. Sand only to the top edge with the lathe and drill running (figure C).

3. Stop the lathe and sand the bowl close to the edge, then sand the inside of the bowl using 150 and 220 grit sandpaper.

4. Next, the bowl is taken out of the chuck and turned around, in preparation to finish the bowl bottom. It is fitted to a home-made pipe fitting, already fitted to the chuck (figure D). The tail stock holds the bowl in place, creating enough pressure to turn the bottom of the bowl.

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Note: To make a chuck pipe fitting, cut a short piece, 4"–6" in length, of 3" plastic drain pipe. This size works to slip over most lathe chucks. Soft cloth or leather can glued over one end to protect the inside of the bowl. A small block of wood drilled to slip over the revolving center in the tailstock can be used to hold the bowl on the pipe to turn the bottom clean.

5. Using the bowl gouge, the base of the bowl is turned slightly concave (figure E). Because the wood is wet and green, it will shrink, and could bow as it dries; if the bottom is turned flat, when it dries it could bulge, causing the bottom to roll or rock.

6. When turning a bowl base, the general rule of proportion is the foot should be about 1/3 the size of the top (figure F).

7. home-made spindle gouge, ground to have a flute with a long, thin point, is used to complete the base (figure G).

Figure F

Figure G

8. Before removing the tail stock, the shaped area is sanded, the tool rest is replaced and the base is finished, parted from the blank and sanded (figure H). It's important to always take time to finish the base, because people always pick up a bowl and turn it over; because of this interest, consider signing and dating the piece and identify the type of wood.

Final Note: To ensure the rough wood edge stays on the rim of the bowl, the wood should be cut in the winter, when the tree sap is down and the bark is tight. If the wood is cut during spring or summer months, when the sap is flowing, the bark is more soft and pliable, making it more likely to break off if used for turning rough edge wood projects (figure I).

Figure H

Figure I