Taking shape

Natural Edge Bowl

ByMark

I had a nice piece of Walnut that was dry enough to try my hand at turning a natural edge bowl. Not just a natural edge bowl, but one that wasn’t round, instead elongated which meant that I would be turning “air” as the cut was interrupted 4 times per revolution until I was deep enough to encounter solid wood. It was an interesting experience as you can tell by the following photos and I will try it again as my confidence builds.

finished natural edge bowl
Bowl with 6 coats of Wood Turner’s Finish on each side

 

log on screw chuck
The log is held on by a course screw that is secured in the chuck

 

Beginning to turn
When you first start the turning process, it is somewhat violent because the cut is interrupted 4 times per revolution

 

Shaping outside
You can see the bowl profile emerge as more material is removed


Completed outside profile
I’m happy with the shape so the next step is to turn a tenon on the bottom


Completed tenon
The tenon is completed which will fit in the chuck so the bowl can be hollowed


Sanding outside of bowl
This bowl doesn’t lend itself to sanding while the lathe is turning so I did it by hand


Applying finish to outside
I finished the outside with 6 coats of Wood Turner’s Finish before re-mounting to hollow the bowl


Re-chucked for hollowing
After the outside was finished, it was turned around for the hollowing process


Beginning point
Note the screw hole from the previous method of mounting


Beginning hollowing
Cut through the bark as the hollowing process proceeds


Whirling timber
If you look closely, you can see the ghost outline of the ends of the log. It’s this area that the cut is interrupted so care must be taken not to get too aggressive with the cut


Taking shape
Taking shape


Almost done
I wanted the rim to be about 1/4″ thick but settled for about 3/8″ because I was concerned that I would destroy the bowl if I went any further


Side View
Side View


Ready for finishing
Same as the outside, the inside had to be sanded by hand


Bowl with finish applied
Six layers of finish were applied to the inside




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