How to Turn a Bowl
Woodworking can be a very fun pass time. However, it requires significant hand control and the ability to use a variety of different woodworking tools. If you would like to try your hand at woodworking then consider practicing your woodworking skills by turning a bowl. This project will help you to develop lathe operation skills, blank shaping skills and hand tool operation skills. The bonuses of this project are that it is a lot of fun and it produces a usable bowl.
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Instructions
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Select a log that is about twice as wide as you want your bowl to be tall. Cut this log in half lengthwise so that it has one flat side and one curved side with bark.
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Pick out a circle template for your bowl blank. Sanding discs work well as a circle template. You will want to pick a circle that has the biggest diameter that will fit on your log. Screw the circle onto the bark side of your cut log, using a washer to keep the screw from pulling through the template. Cut around the circle template using a jig saw or a saw of your choice to create your bowl blank.
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Remove the circle template and attach your bowl blank to your lathe. Spin the blank on the lowest speed to check for balance. If the blank isn’t balanced then remount it. If it is balanced then you can start hand shaping the exterior of your bowl. Do this using a bowl gouge.
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After the exterior of your bowl has been shaped you will need to create a dovetail tenon at the bottom of your bowl. Start shaping the dovetail using your bowl gouge, then finish it with a V shaped scraper. Flatten out the bottom of your dovetail and remove your bowl blank from the lathe.
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Chuck your dovetail tenon into your Nova lathe attachment. This will leave the top of the bowl blank exposed so you can start to hollow it out. Once chucked securely you will use your bowl gauge to start the hollowing out process. When you have hallowed out the interior 50 percent you can switch to a bowl rest to complete the hollowing out process.
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Remove your finished bowl from the Nova and place it in a brown paper bag with its own shavings. Set aside for 30 to 60 days to allow it to dry out. Then you can sand and finish the bowl for use.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear safety goggles and pull your hair back if it is long.
