DIY Network

Metal Bowls From "Woodturning Techniques" episode DWTT-109

Figure A

Does the idea of turning a metal bowl on a wood lathe sound unusual? Master turner Dave Hout demonstrates how to create this functional piece of metal spinning (figure A); Dave loves to work on the lathe and has been turning for over 25 years. Now he's passing along this expertise to student Katie Gates.

Metal spinning on a lathe requires a wooden form, over which a metal disk is shaped. It's very important for the surface of the wooden form to be extremely smooth; if it isn't, any imperfections will be transferred to the metal. Another important point to remember is no part of the wood shape can become smaller in diameter, then larger again where it will undercut; if the metal wraps around the wooden form in such a fashion, the metal will become trapped on the form and won't come off.

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Figure B

Spinning metal uses the same basic equipment as wood turning, along with accessories for the metal. However, the tool rest is quite different than a standard tool rest used for a wooden form. This metal tool rest has holes that hold metal fulcrum pins, which are used for leverage (figure B). If the pins weren't used, the tools would slide off the tool rest.

Note:
(To make the special rest, you will need a piece of 3/4" x 3/4" x 10" steel. Drill a series of 1/4" holes at 1" increments beginning at the center of the piece and working out to each end. These 1/4" holes should be drilled 1/2" deep. These holes are to accept 1/4" fulcrum pins. The pins are 1/4" diameter by 2 -1/2" long. You will need two pins. You need a round piece to match the diameter of the post on your lathe, most are 1" diameter. Hold the round piece in your lathe and drill a 1/2" hole 1" deep into it. Drill a 1/2" hole through the center of the 3/4" x 3/4"x 10" piece. Place a 1/2" pin in the post and the rest. Drill 1/8" hole through the post and rest so that the rest is pinned to the post).

Figure C

A wooden block on the tail stock revolves and holds the metal against the wooden form (figure C). It is just slightly smaller than the wooden base, to allow tool access to form the metal around the wood form.

Materials:

1/2" Bowl gouge
1/2" Spindle gouge
Metal turning spoon
Tapered stick
Tail block
Wooden blank
Metal disk
Lubricant
Buffing compound
Buffing pads

Figure D

Steps:

1. It is very important for the centers of the lathe to be true. If they aren't turning in the same plane they will be working against each other and the disk won't stay in place. To test for true, put the block on the tail rest, bring the tool rest up to the metal disk, apply a fair amount of pressure, lock everything in place, and turn the machine on. If it runs quietly, everything is lined up correctly; if the centers aren't turning together, they will rub against each other, creating a loud, unpleasant noise (figure D).

Figure E

2. The metal spinning tool is called a spoon and resembles a large, blunt screwdriver (figure E). The edges on the spoon are rounded, so the tool can work on non-ferrous metals, including aluminum, brass, copper and pewter, all metals that contain no iron.

Figure F

3. A stick with two distinctively different ends is also used (figure F). One end is tapered fairly steeply and is used as the piece is centered; the other end has an even steeper end which is used to create the rolled edge of the bowl.