Thread: First Bowl

Hmmm Natural edge with voids Nothing like starting at the top is there

Originally Posted by TTIT

Hmmm Natural edge with voids Nothing like starting at the top is there

Hmm all right. I'm with Vern It looks good so far. Looks like you have an instructor who knows his stuff so I'm looking forward to viewing the completed bowl.

Hope he has put you on the right path wrt wearing a good impact rated face shield like an Armadillo and safety specs etc. Maybe a good idea to get them before doing the inside.

ps have a look in the "Clubs" forum for "Lathe Safety Guidelines" may help you along.

Stay safe.

Ticky,

When you turn that around to do the inside, put a few wraps of tape around it close to the rim. Might keep from getting a face full of fast moving timber. I use 3 layers of 1 inch paint masking tape.

Nice looking bowl. You will probably learn more on this one than doing 10 easier ones.

Originally Posted by Paul39

Ticky,

You will probably learn more on this one than doing 10 easier ones.

Thank you all for the great tips. I joined my woodwork club to learn how to turn. I recently bought a lathe & have been enjoying making a few pens. I love making pens, but I want to have a go at bowl turning as well.

I aquired this mallee stump off of my Brothers fire wood heep the other day & had to have a crack at it. For the benefit of Paul, and anyone else that is not sure what a Mallee Stump is, Mallee is a small scrub gum (Eucalypt) that grows in the dryer parts of Australia, often in sandy soil, and it has roughly the same tensile strength as Spring Steel.

I do realise this was a bit on the ambitious side for a first bowl, but as I said, I had a lot of help. The club I joined is part of Woodgroups SA & is very well run with a safety officer on duty (not woodworking) at all times. I wont be doing anymore to this until next months meeting, but I might have a go at something a bit softer & easier to turn at home.

Steve

Got a bit more done today.

I snapped the spigot off the base while turning out the inside, so I had to re mount it back onto the face plate & clean that mess up & then turn out the center to allow the chuck to expand into it.

We'll see how this goes.



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Steve

Been there, done that. That is why I use the tailstock for as long as possible, even though it makes hollowing out a lot more difficult. As well, with the dry woods that I use, the spigot/tenon seems to crack off easily, or the expanding jaws crack out. Probably just me and my light touch, though!

I should have got some Mallee when we were in Vic a couple of months ago.

Alister.

Glad it's not just me then.

Yeah, it's nice, but pretty hard.

steve

You've snapped your first bowl. This is the first of hundreds.

I've snapped a few in spectacular style and even had a big hunk hit me fair in the face with terrific force. Blood and guts everywhere. Broken nose, torn cartilage, split bridge and two panda eyes for 2 months.

Advice from Mobyturns is spot on: Invest in a high impact face shield and learn to leave it on 100% of the time.

It's a great sport and highly satisfying....it will addict you!

I think this could turn out to be quite nice bowl.

I hope your right Christos.

I'm sure it will look nice if I don't bugger it up. The old Mallee stump has some lovely secrets hidden away, If only I can reveal them.

Steve

Another month has passed & I went to my woodwork club again yesterday. I have finished turning my bowl & have started to sand the inside. It's a bit chunky, but I like it. I hope you do to.


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Steve

Originally Posted by Ticky

Glad it's not just me then.

Yeah, it's nice, but pretty hard.

steve

I think we have all been at some time. and we all start out clunky too.

That looks great.
Don't worry my first piece l
Thought looked great viewing horizontal on the lathe.
My wife sore it vertical and asked if it was a commission for and adult only shop lol

It has come up nice.