How to Make & Finish Wooden Burl Bowls
Wood burls are a by-product of environmental stress such as fungus or insects on certain types of trees which creates interesting growth rings and patterns in the wood. Burls are coveted by woodworkers for their beauty and often used in table tops and tableware. Wood burl bowls are gorgeous, durable and versatile, but the art of creating them takes much patience and practice. Prepare to spend long hours practicing and destroying bowls before creating the perfect product.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Wood burl bowl blank
- Carving tools
- Lathe
- Wood screw
- Hot glue
- Sandpaper
- Clean cloth
- Wax finish
- Lacquer
Instructions
-
-
1
Mount the wood burl bowl blank on the lathe using the wood screw. The bottom of the bowl should face the lathe's tail stock since the bottom will be roughed first.
-
2
Select a carving tool. A 3/8 to 5/8 gouge should work. Switch on the lathe and begin making steady, even cuts in the wood. Make sure to flatten the bottom so the bowl will rest level on a table when finished.
-
-
3
Reverse the bowl on the centers or wood screw so the inside now faces the tail stock. Using hot glue, glue a round piece of wood about an inch thick as a tenon on the bottom of the bowl for the wood screw to attach to.
-
4
Carve out the inside of the bowl with the same gouge, beginning with the center and slowly working your way out. As you get closer to the final thickness, make smaller, more precise cuts. Check the thickness either with your fingers or a caliper to make sure it's even all the way through.
-
5
Sand the bowl on the lathe by holding sandpaper against it while the lathe is spinning. Do this to both the outside and inside of the bowl.
-
6
Put some wax finish to a cloth or paper towel and apply it to bowl on the lathe. The heat generated by the friction helps melt the wax into the wood of the bowl, giving it a glossy finish.
-
7
Apply lacquer to the bowl with a clean cloth or paper towel in the same manner. Wait for the finish to dry and then remove the bowl from lathe. Knock the glued tenon off the bottom, then sand and apply finish to the bottom of the bowl.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Because wood burls are rare and expensive, practice making bowls out of less expensive material first. It's common for bowls to crack and split during turning if not done properly, so avoid frustration and expense by practicing with basic materials first.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
