Thread: It's arrived... at last!

One of the teachers at school left Today (a temp while one of our regulars was on long service leave) so as a parting gift, I made a small bowl and filled it with chocolates....

Here is how it was made

Wood, blackwood 225 x 140 x 35 thick
Originally I was going to turn it as a rectangle with handles on it(enjoyed turning a square previously) but decided it really isn't worth the risk so I glued some scraps of redgum on the sides and cut it round on the band saw. To maximise the thickness of the piece, I glued a mounting block on the back.

I cut a pocket with a 50mm Forstner bit in the front of the bowl blank and mounted on the chuck.

The outside back of the bowl was then turned and a tenon turned on the mounting block. The curve was also created for the handles.

Next the blank was removed and turned around (reversed) and mounted by the tenon so that the top and inside of the bowl could be turned.

After everything was sanded to 800 grit, the mounting block was part way cut through with the parting tool and then cut off with a saw.

Next a groove was cut in a disc of mdf to hold the front of the bowl by its inner ring and held in place by its fit and some double-sided tape. The remains of the mounting block was turned away and the bottom detail finished and sanded.

Here are the pics of the bowl before shaping the handles. Note the "gloss" on the photos is natural...just the wood after fine sanding....

Several of my friends thought that I should have stopped with the redgum still on like a wide brimmed plate but I stuck to my original design concept...

I cut the redgum strips off, created a paper pattern of the handle shape and drew it out on the bowl rim and then shaping it with the band saw. I then used a drum sander (drill press) and a Dremel to take the ridge off the side of the bowl. This was followed by quite a bit of careful hand sanding.

The finish is six coats of lacquer followed by a cut and polish. here are the pics of the finished article (The lady who got it was quite impressed but I would be grateful to receive any advice or criticisms from you forumites as I am still learning this exciting craft)

Here are the Pics



Cheers,
Chipman

The lathe I have normally used is and older woodfast (green mc900?). The small one performed well. I only stalled it once but that was not the motor...it was that I had not tensioned the belt enough. The only issue I really have is the diameter that can be turned (300mm). While this is fine for the bowl itself, the problem comes when you need to use a larger disk as a jamb chuck to grab the outside of a bowl but this is a problem with most medium/small lathes with a fixed headstock. Since most of the things I turn are small to medium, this little lathe with an extension will do at least 90% of what I want for a very reasonable $395) so I am very happy with it at this point in time

I am hoping to solve the bowl turning problem soon as I have been collecting the parts to build a dedicated bowl turning lathe. I have the shaft(1 inch 10 TPI), bearings, motor, and hopefully the pulleys soon. (Christmas holidays looks like the time to build it)

An even happier woodturner

Chipman

Very nicely done Chipman Had a big thing written about the high gloss finish but bugger it - it's your cat - skin it any way you like Good job!

My first thought was the same as Vern... the high gloss.

It will sell but not everybody likes it.

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

My first thought was the same as Vern... the high gloss.

It will sell but not everybody likes it.

I don't sell any thing! only a hobbyist and just gifts... I agree, this one is more glossy than I like... normally if I use lacquer it is 35% gloss (or satin with polyurethane) but I knew what this lady liked so glossy it was....

Cheers,

Chipman

Congrats on your new toy!

The bowl look pretty good to me, I disagree about the gloss everyone who looks at one of my creations thats not super shiney asks why its not when they compare it too my other turnings...

Goodonya Chipman and a great start.

(That's me being happy for you and gree with envy!)

Top-notch, Chipman. Excellent in every way.

Joe

Originally Posted by Chipman

Several of my friends thought that I should have stopped with the redgum still on like a wide brimmed plate but I stuck to my original design concept...

I cut the redgum strips off, created a paper pattern of the handle shape and drew it out on the bowl rim and then shaping it with the band saw. I then used a drum sander (drill press) and a Dremel to take the ridge off the side of the bowl. This was followed by quite a bit of careful hand sanding.

The finish is six coats of lacquer followed by a cut and polish. here are the pics of the finished article (The lady who got it was quite impressed but I would be grateful to receive any advice or criticisms from you forumites as I am still learning this exciting craft)

Here are the Pics



Cheers,
Chipman

Hi Chipman<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_784143", true); </SCRIPT> ,

I like this piece of yours, for colour, degree of difficulty and the medium gloss finish. I like any possible timber finishes, inclueding raw. I also like gloss and high gloss finishes, regardless how they are obtained (products). I accept gloss finish doesn't go well with some timber and designs but, I have always wonder why so much "negativity" by some wood turners on this type finish. I haven't yet got a sensible and clear response to this gloss issue thing!, what is it? not natural...? excuse me!

Anyway, well done Chipman, get them coming...!

Cheers
RBTCO

G'day Chipman - Congrats on the new lathe. I really like the bowl, the shape is great. I'm impressed, keep up the good work.

Fredo

Originally Posted by robutacion

..... I haven't yet got a sensible and clear response to this gloss issue thing!, what is it? .....

As has already been said, it is not everybody's cup of tea.
Some like it glossy, some don't.

Glossy looks & feels plastic to me.

I like oil & wax finishes.

When I was selling stuff at the markets, the competition had finished their work in glossy lacquer or polyurethane & I had used either DO, Shellawax Cream &/or Trad wax.
People would ask why my work looked & felt so much nicer that the other stuff.
They wanted to know what I did that was different.

I'm sure that there were other people standing over at the competition's stall saying exactly the same thing to them.

Some like it glossy, some don't.

Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, it is just that they usually have a much higher opinion of their own opinion than everybody else's opinion of their opinion.