How to Build a Dog Dish Made of Wood

Carve the interior of the dish using a lathe and chisel.

A dog dish is basically a large bowl like any other, only with a wide, flat bottom to prevent the dish from tipping or moving too much while the dog is feeding. They can be made from many different materials -- but for a traditional, rustic look nothing beats wood. With the right tools, you can build a dog dish made of wood you have cut yourself, or kiln-dried wood from a lumber yard.

Things You'll Need

• 7-inch by 7-inch by 4-inch wooden block
• Compass
• Jigsaw or hacksaw
• Lathe
• Cupped chisel
• 120-grit sandpaper
• Varnish
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Cut the wooden block into a square measuring 7 inches by 7 inches by 4 inches, using a saw. Draw a circle on one side of the block using the compass. This will be the diameter of the dish. Cut away the wood outside of the circle with a jigsaw, or hacksaw if preferred, to leave a cylinder of wood.

2. Draw a second, smaller circle on the block, leaving three quarters of an inch between the inner and outer circles. This is the thickness of your wooden dog dish. Mount the block on a lathe. As the lathe spins, carve away the wood inside the circle with a cupped chisel until you have hollowed out the dish.

3. Sand down the inner and outer faces of the bowl using 120-grit sandpaper, to produce a smooth finish. Varnish the bowl using the paintbrush, to protect it. Allow the varnish to dry thoroughly, then varnish with a second coat. Allow this second coat to dry thoroughly before using the bowl for the first time.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are cutting your own wood to make a bowl from, remember that it must be thoroughly dried before it can be worked on, otherwise it will shrink and crack as it loses its moisture content. Either kiln dry the wood before working on it, or use pre-dried wood; either from storage or a woodyard.

• When working with wood, and especially when cutting with a saw or gouging on a lathe, always remember to wear gloves and eye goggles. These provide protection from splinters and wood particles that can cut, graze or even blind in the worst cases.